AI Automation Solutions

Simple, practical automation that actually saves time. No complex systems, just smart workflows that work.

Workflow Automation
Time Savings
Proven Tools

Executive Summary

Most businesses have repetitive tasks that eat up valuable time - data entry, email responses, file organisation, report generation, customer onboarding processes. These tasks need to be done, but they don't need human creativity or complex decision-making.

Our AI Automation service focuses on identifying and automating these routine tasks using proven tools like Zapier, Make.com, and AI-powered solutions. We don't promise to replace your team - we help them focus on higher-value work by automating the tedious stuff.

What Automation Actually Does

We identify repetitive tasks in your business and set up systems to handle them automatically. This typically saves 5-15 hours per week of manual work, but the real value is freeing your team to focus on strategic activities. However, automation works best with standardised processes - if your workflows are inconsistent, we'll need to standardise them first.

The Real Automation Opportunity

Repetitive Data Entry

Team members spend hours copying information between systems, updating spreadsheets, and maintaining databases manually.

Routine Communications

Standard email responses, follow-up sequences, and customer notifications that follow predictable patterns.

Report Generation

Weekly and monthly reports that require gathering data from multiple sources and formatting it consistently.

Customer Onboarding

Welcome sequences, account setup tasks, and initial communications that are similar for every new customer.

Our Practical Automation Approach

How We Actually Build Automation

We use proven automation tools and AI assistants to build reliable workflows. Here's exactly what we do and what results you can expect:

Zapier Workflows

What it does: Connects your existing apps and automates data transfer between them.

Example: New customer in CRM automatically creates project in project management tool, sends welcome email, and updates accounting system.

Time saved: Usually 2-5 hours per week per workflow.

AI-Powered Responses

Tools used: ChatGPT API, customer service bots, email auto-responders.

What it does: Handles routine customer enquiries and generates first-draft responses for complex ones.

Limitation: Requires human review for complex or sensitive issues.

Automated Reporting

Tools used: Google Sheets scripts, Power Automate, custom APIs.

What it does: Automatically generates and distributes regular reports.

Benefit: Reports are always on time and consistent, freeing up analyst time for interpretation.

File & Document Management

Tools used: Cloud storage APIs, document processing tools, AI content organisation.

What it does: Automatically organises files, extracts key information, and maintains document libraries.

Outcome: Reduces time spent searching for files and ensures consistent organisation.

What Automation Cannot Do

  • Replace human judgement for complex decisions
  • Handle tasks that require creative problem-solving
  • Work well with inconsistent or poorly defined processes
  • Function reliably without regular maintenance and updates
  • Integrate with systems that don't have APIs or export capabilities

Our Automation Implementation Process

1

Process Audit

Map your current workflows and identify the most time-consuming repetitive tasks.

Duration: 1-2 days
2

Automation Planning

Prioritise automation opportunities based on time savings, complexity, and ROI potential.

Duration: 1 day
3

Tool Selection & Setup

Choose appropriate automation tools and set up the necessary connections and permissions.

Duration: 2-3 days
4

Workflow Development

Build and configure automated workflows, including error handling and notification systems.

Duration: 3-5 days
5

Testing & Refinement

Test all automations thoroughly and refine them based on real-world performance.

Duration: 2-3 days
6

Training & Handover

Train your team on monitoring and maintaining the automated systems.

Duration: 1 day

Our Planned Implementation Approach

Our Heritage: McKenzie-Thorpe's established experience in operational efficiency (since 1987) provides the foundation for our AI automation services. We understand business processes from years of practical consulting, now enhanced with cutting-edge automation technology.

Types of Businesses We're Designed to Help

  • Small to medium businesses with repetitive manual processes taking significant time
  • Professional services firms with standardised client onboarding and communication
  • Companies using multiple systems that require duplicate data entry
  • Businesses comfortable with cloud-based tools and willing to standardise processes
  • Teams open to workflow changes and process improvements

Our Planned Implementation Process

Week 1: Process Assessment

We'll map your current workflows, identify repetitive tasks, and assess which processes are good candidates for automation based on frequency, complexity, and standardisation.

Week 2-3: System Integration Planning

We'll assess your current systems' integration capabilities and design automation workflows using tools like Zapier, Microsoft Power Automate, or custom APIs where needed.

Week 4: Implementation & Testing

We'll build the automation workflows, test them thoroughly, and train your team on the new processes. AI tools will be incorporated where they add genuine value.

Types of Automation We Can Implement

  • Data Integration: Automatic synchronisation between different business systems
  • Communication Workflows: Automated email sequences, reminders, and updates
  • Document Processing: AI-assisted document generation and data extraction
  • Task Management: Automatic assignment and tracking of routine tasks
  • Reporting Automation: Regular reports generated and distributed automatically

Realistic Expectations

What You Should Expect:
  • Significant time savings on repetitive tasks (typically 5-20 hours per week)
  • Reduced data entry errors and improved consistency
  • Faster response times to customers and clients
  • More time available for strategic, high-value work
  • Improved process standardisation and documentation
Potential Challenges:
  • Some processes may need standardisation before automation is possible
  • Team training required for new workflows and tools
  • Not all systems integrate easily or at all
  • Ongoing maintenance needed as systems and processes change
  • Monthly costs for automation tools (typically £100-£500/month depending on complexity)

Our Commitment

We'll only recommend automation for processes where it genuinely saves time and reduces errors. If your workflows aren't suitable for automation, we'll tell you honestly.

Our goal is to create reliable, maintainable automation that makes your business more efficient, not complex systems that require constant attention.

Common Automation Opportunities

Based on our experience, these are the most common areas where automation provides significant time savings:

Customer Management

  • • New customer onboarding sequences
  • • Follow-up email campaigns
  • • Support ticket routing and responses
  • • Customer data synchronisation

Typical time savings: 3-8 hours per week

Document & Data Processing

  • • Invoice processing and data entry
  • • Report generation and distribution
  • • Document classification and filing
  • • Data extraction from PDFs and forms

Typical time savings: 4-10 hours per week

E-commerce & Sales

  • • Order processing and fulfilment
  • • Inventory level monitoring and alerts
  • • Customer communication workflows
  • • Sales lead qualification and routing

Typical time savings: 5-12 hours per week

Financial & Administrative

  • • Expense reporting and approval workflows
  • • Time tracking and payroll processing
  • • Invoice generation and payment reminders
  • • Financial reporting and data consolidation

Typical time savings: 2-6 hours per week

Investment Options

Straightforward Automation Pricing

Fair pricing based on complexity and time investment, not corporate budgets

Starter Automation
£895
Perfect for small businesses looking to automate 2-3 key processes
  • Process audit and automation planning
  • Up to 3 automated workflows
  • Basic Zapier or Make.com setup
  • Simple AI-powered email responses
  • Team training session
  • 30 days of support and adjustments
Complete Automation
£1,950
Comprehensive automation solution for growing businesses
  • Full workflow audit and process mapping
  • Up to 8 automated workflows
  • Advanced integration setup and API connections
  • AI-powered document generation and processing
  • Custom reporting and dashboard automation
  • Error handling and monitoring systems
  • Comprehensive team training workshop
  • 90 days of support and optimisation

Additional Services

Extra Workflow Automation: £145 per additional workflow

Monthly Maintenance & Support: £95/month for ongoing updates and monitoring

Advanced Automation Training: £295 for 3-hour team workshop

What You Actually Get

Working Automation Systems

  • Fully configured and tested workflows
  • Error handling and monitoring systems
  • Integration with your existing tools
  • Automated backup and recovery procedures

Documentation & Training

  • Step-by-step process documentation
  • Video tutorials for team members
  • Troubleshooting guide and common issues
  • Hands-on training session for your team

Monitoring & Reporting

  • Dashboard showing automation performance
  • Weekly reports on time and cost savings
  • Alert systems for any automation failures
  • Monthly performance review meetings

Ongoing Support

  • Email support for technical issues
  • Regular health checks and optimisation
  • Updates when your business processes change
  • Advice on additional automation opportunities

Ready to Automate Your Repetitive Tasks?

Stop wasting time on routine tasks. Let's build automation that actually works and saves you hours every week.

Discuss Your Automation Needs Send Us a Message

Free assessment of your current processes and automation opportunities

No obligation consultation to identify your biggest time-wasters