The AI glossary for tradespeople
This glossary defines, simply, the words of AI applied to the Swiss trades: AI team, Service-as-a-Software, voice quoting, deterministic pricing, 8.1% VAT, QR-invoice, nDSG, margin per job. Each definition is two or three sentences, to get to the point.
The essential terms
AI team
A set of artificial-intelligence agents that do the administrative work in the tradesperson's place (price a quote, triage messages, track margin), under a single interface. Unlike software, you don't fill it in: it does the work.
Service-as-a-Software
A model where you pay for an outcome delivered by an AI, not a tool you operate yourself. Unlike «software-as-a-service» (SaaS), where the customer does the work in the app, here the AI does the work.
Voice quoting (dictation)
Creating a quote by speaking: the tradesperson describes the job by voice on site, the AI transcribes and prices it. It replaces writing the quote manually in the evening.
Deterministic pricing
A price drawn directly from the tradesperson's rate catalogue, not «guessed» by the AI. The same quote always yields the same price; the AI does not do arithmetic at random.
8.1% VAT
The standard value-added-tax rate in Switzerland since 2024. A compliant quote applies it correctly; BuddyLeader integrates it automatically.
QR-invoice
The Swiss invoicing standard with a QR code (scannable payment part), in force since 2020. It speeds up collection by removing manual entry of payment details.
nDSG
Switzerland's new Federal Act on Data Protection, in force since September 2023. It governs the processing of personal data; «nDSG-compliant» software follows these rules.
Margin per job
The difference between the price invoiced and the costs (hours, materials) of a specific job. Tracking it continuously reveals which jobs are actually profitable.
Frequently asked questions
What is an AI team for the trades?
A set of AI agents that do the tradesperson's admin work — pricing quotes, triaging messages, tracking margin — under a single interface. Unlike software, you don't fill it in: it executes.
What is the difference between SaaS and Service-as-a-Software?
SaaS (software-as-a-service) is a tool the customer operates. Service-as-a-Software does the work in the customer's place via an AI. One sells a tool, the other an outcome.
What is deterministic pricing?
A price computed from the tradesperson's rate catalogue, never invented by the AI. The same quote always gives the same price, which guarantees reliability.
Is BuddyLeader nDSG-compliant?
Yes. Customer data is hosted in Switzerland and processing follows the nDSG (Swiss data protection law). No external model trains its systems on customer data.