This case study shows how SBL turns operational complexity into a governed digital operating model where workflow, data, quality and decisions can be managed together.
The institutional challenge
- Non-English Scripts: Hand-written Norwegian records from the 1400s that standard AI extraction tools simply cannot interpret.
- Data Integrity: Large-scale extraction required rigorous protection against data manipulation and transcription errors.
- Illegible Archives: Thousands of images were faded or damaged, requiring a specialized system to flag and interpret "hidden" data.
What SBL engineered
- Transformed legacy information into searchable, secure and AI-ready institutional knowledge.
- Preserved context, provenance and validation controls so the records could support trusted decisions.
- Built the work as a governed records-intelligence program rather than a one-time conversion task.
- Consult & Align: Onboarding Norwegian genealogists to define linguistic and cultural rules for the team.
- Workflow Setup: Specialized training of a dedicated workforce in archaic Scandinavian handwriting styles.
How the work should be understood
SBL's role is not limited to executing a task. The value comes from understanding the operating workflow, engineering the data and automation layer, applying governance controls, and helping the institution move from manual dependency to intelligent, measurable operations.
