Category
AI & Product Development · Systems
Company Overview
Ovis Labs is Westerne’s in-house product and AI development initiative, created to design and build purpose-driven tools that solve real problems in the outdoor and experiential space. It exists to support internal brands and platforms with custom software, automation, and planning systems—built from firsthand use, not abstract theory.
Context
As Westerne continued to build and operate its own brands, a recurring challenge became clear: many of the tools available to support planning, strategy, and decision-making were either too generic or poorly suited to specific, real-world use cases.
Relying on third-party platforms limited flexibility, slowed iteration, and forced brands to adapt to tools that weren’t designed for their needs. Ovis labs bridged with gap with several Saas solutions that are purpose built, and ecosystem connected that we can refine in-house to save thousands of hours and develop custom products for our portfolio of in house brands and partners.
Challenge
The challenge wasn’t just technical—it was structural.
Westerne needed a way to:
- Build tools tailored to specific audiences and workflows
- Iterate quickly based on real use and feedback
- Integrate strategy, content, and software into a cohesive system
- Avoid dependence on off-the-shelf platforms that weren’t built for the problem
The goal was not to build technology for its own sake, but to create systems that support better decisions and scale alongside the brands using them.
Approach
Ovis Labs was designed as an internal development environment—focused on building software and AI-powered tools alongside the brands they serve.
Rather than starting with features, the approach begins with:
- Clear use cases
- Real operational constraints
- Hands-on testing by actual users
- Continuous refinement based on outcomes, not assumptions
This approach allowed tools to be developed in parallel with brand strategy, messaging, and user experience—ensuring alignment between what the platform promises and how it actually performs.
One of the primary outputs of Ovis Labs has been the development of custom planning systems for western hunting, including HuntEngine.ai and OvisFlow.
Structural Advantage
Ovis Labs creates a structural advantage by allowing Westerne to design, build, and iterate on proprietary tools in-house.
Because these systems are developed internally:
- Product decisions are informed by firsthand use
- Strategy and software evolve together
- Feedback loops are short and actionable
- Tools are built around real behavior—not generic personas
This capability eliminates reliance on third-party software, reduces friction between idea and execution, and enables platforms like HuntQuarters to combine human expertise with custom-built AI systems in a way that’s difficult to replicate.
The result is not just better software, but better alignment between brand, strategy, and execution.
Specific Services Applied
- Product and platform strategy
- AI system design and integration
- Workflow automation and tooling
- UX and information architecture
- Internal testing and iteration systems
Outcome
Ovis Labs now serves as the technical and product foundation behind HuntQuarters and future digital platforms within the Westerne ecosystem.
By building tools internally, Westerne is able to move faster, experiment responsibly, and create systems that directly support clarity, trust, and long-term growth—rather than forcing brands to conform to generic software solutions.
OvisFlow was produced as a byproduct of other developments and has significan value to any business with an online presence, or relies on online lead generation.
