AI and Automation Questions
Here are plain answers to common questions about AI, automation, and working with NVisionaryAI. If yours isn't here, ask us on a free intro call.
AI and Automation Basics
What does an AI consultant do?
An AI consultant looks at how your business runs, finds where AI can help, and recommends what to build and what to leave alone. At NVisionaryAI, the person who learns your business stays with your project from start to finish.
AI consulting servicesWhat's the difference between AI and automation?
Automation follows set rules on organized information, like moving an invoice total from one system to another. AI handles work that takes some judgment, like reading a messy document or sorting an inbox. Many projects use both, and we recommend the simplest option that does the job.
What kinds of tasks can you automate?
The best tasks happen often, follow the same steps, and take up a lot of time. Common examples include data entry, invoices and documents, reports, follow-ups, and alerts.
Workflow automationDoes AI make mistakes?
Yes, it can, so we plan for that from the start. We test each tool with the people who will use it, and anything unclear goes to a person for review.
Is our data good enough for AI?
We check during the process review, including whether your data is consistent enough to use. If it isn't, we'll tell you before you commit to a build.
We already run efficiently. Would this still help?
Yes. Efficient teams still lose time to repetitive work. Bring one task your team wishes took less time, and we'll show you what it's costing you.
Is our work too specialized to automate?
Parts of it may be, and that's fine. Work that needs a person's judgment stays with a person, and we look for the repeatable steps around it.
AI and Your Team
Will AI replace my staff?
Our goal is to make your team's work easier, faster, and more accurate, so they can do more of what they do best. If your sole goal is to cut staff, we're the wrong partner.
Do you train staff on AI?
We don't offer general staff AI training. When we build a tool, your team gets a live walkthrough and written instructions for using it.
What don't you offer?
We don't offer AI receptionists, voice agents, staff AI training, or chatbots with no process behind them. We'll even recommend existing software if it can do the job.
AI Consulting and Automation Pricing
How much do AI consulting and automation cost?
The intro call is free, and a process review is $750. Small builds usually cost $3,000 to $7,500, and larger builds usually cost $12,000 to $30,000. You'll get one fixed price before any build begins.
See full pricingWhy isn't the process review free?
The review is where we find what's worth building. You get a written plan and a fixed-price proposal to keep, and the full $750 comes off any build of $2,500 or more.
What happens to the review fee on a smaller build?
For a build under $2,500, the review fee isn't credited.
How do payments work?
For a fixed project price under $10,000, you pay 50% to start and 50% at handoff. At $10,000 and up, you pay 40% to start, 40% when the first working version is ready, and 20% at handoff.
Are there ongoing costs?
Most tools need some mix of hosting, software, and API usage. Your tools run on your own accounts wherever possible, so you pay those costs directly, and anything we pay for you is billed at cost. Your proposal lists the estimate. Support and changes are $150 an hour, billed monthly in 15-minute increments, with nothing to prepay.
Is there a project minimum?
No. Every project is scoped individually.
How long does a project take?
It depends on the scope. Small builds usually take about 20 to 50 hours of work, and larger builds usually take about 80 to 200 hours. Your proposal lists target dates, which depend on getting access and feedback on time.
AI Data Security and Ownership
Is our data safe with AI tools?
Before we build anything, we go through exactly what the tool will touch and who can access it. If something doesn't belong in an AI tool, we leave it out.
Can you work with private client, employee, or financial information?
It depends on the project, so we look at that before we scope the work. Each side also keeps the other's private information confidential.
Can you work with patient data?
We aren't taking on builds that handle patient health information right now.
Do you need our passwords?
No. We use individual logins or limited access instead of shared passwords. Please don't send passwords or sensitive files by email.
Who owns the finished tool?
You own the finished build once the final payment is made.
What happens after handoff?
Your team gets a live walkthrough and written instructions. If you need changes or help later, support is available at $150 an hour.
What happens when something breaks?
Call your project lead. Support and changes are $150 an hour, billed monthly in 15-minute increments, with nothing to prepay.
Working With NVisionaryAI
How does a project work?
It starts with a free intro call, then a paid process review and a fixed-price proposal. After that, we build and test the tool, hand it off with written instructions, and offer hourly support when you need it.
Where do you work?
We're based in the Youngstown area, and onsite work is available up to about 1.5 hours away, which covers Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
See where we workWhat size of business do you work with?
We focus on established small and midsize businesses with a team and repeatable work. We're usually not the right fit for solo owner-operators or enterprises with more than about 1,000 staff.
Have you done this for a business like mine?
Nick has a decade of operations work, ten years co-running a business here in the Valley, and five-plus years building AI and automation systems, so he knows how a business like yours runs. We'll show you the closest example on the intro call. The tools in our case studies are running in businesses today, and our client work is protected by NDA.
See our case studiesWill you tell us if we don't need a custom build?
Yes. We'll even recommend existing software if it can do the job.
Ask Us About AI and Automation
Bring your question and one task your team wishes took less time. The first 30 minutes are free.