Podium

Podium is a sophisticated communication and lead-conversion platform engineered specifically for local, brick-and-mortar businesses. By 2026, Podium has transitioned from a standard SMS utility to a full-stack AI Employee platform. Its architecture leverages Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to ingest business-specific data—such as service menus, pricing, and operating hours—allowing its AI agents to autonomously handle lead qualification, appointment scheduling, and customer support via SMS and Webchat. The platform's technical core is built around a unified inbox that aggregates signals from Google Business Profiles, Facebook, Instagram, and SMS. Strategically, Podium positions itself as the operational OS for SMBs, bridging the gap between digital discovery and physical service. Its 2026 market stance emphasizes 'autonomous local commerce,' where AI handles the administrative overhead of customer interaction, permitting business owners to focus on physical fulfillment. The platform's integration layer is robust, connecting with industry-specific CRMs like ServiceTitan and Clio to ensure data synchronicity across the service lifecycle.