Independent AI advice, before you commit.

Which tool, which supplier, what it will really cost and what could go wrong. Straight answers from people who build AI for a living, with no software to sell you.

Customer service AI: three optionsSupplier review for a 60-person distributor

Example

CriterionAHelpdesk’s AI add-onBSpecialist AI platformCBespoke agent
Answers from your order dataNoYesYes
Integration effortLowMediumHigh
Data protectionGoodGoodGood
Lock-in riskMediumMediumLow
Cost over 3 years£22k£34k£58k

Recommended: B Its ready-made connectors for your helpdesk and order system mean it can answer order queries from day one, at around 60% of the cost of a bespoke build.

Questions we’re asked most.

Most businesses don't need an AI strategy to get started. They need someone independent to help them make the next decision well.

  • Copilot, ChatGPT or Claude: which one suits us?

    How we answer itWe start with the work, not the tools: which tasks people want help with, what data they'd use, and what you already pay for. Then we try the options on your real tasks and compare cost, data protection and how well each fits your systems.

  • A supplier is selling us an AI product. Is it any good?

    How we answer itWe look past the demo: what it really does with your data, how it connects to your systems, what it costs once you rely on it, and what happens if you leave. We can join the supplier conversations, and tell you what to ask for in the contract.

  • Is it safe to put our customer data into this?

    How we answer itWe map what data would go in, where it would be stored and processed, and who could see it. We check that against UK GDPR, your customer contracts and any sector rules, and set out the settings, agreements and policies you'd need.

  • What will it really cost over three years?

    How we answer itLicences are often the smallest part. Connecting AI to your existing systems is usually the biggest cost, so we look at how each option would integrate, who would build and maintain that, and the running, training and support costs on top.

An independent eye on AI, all year round.

AI products and prices change every few months. We get to know your business, then keep checking that what you use is still the best fit, and tell you when something new could help.

  • We learn your estate and your goals: the systems you run, the data you hold, the contracts you're in, and what you want to achieve
  • A review every quarter of what you use against what's now available: what to keep, change, trial or stop
  • We tell you as things change: new products and features worth a look, and changes to price, terms or risk in what you already use
  • Ask us first, any time, before you buy, sign or switch

A fixed monthly fee, for as long as it's useful.

Your AI review, this yearExample

  1. Getting to know youMapped 14 systems and 6 AI tools in use, and agreed what the business wants AI to help with this year.
  2. Worth a lookYour CRM's new AI assistant can draft quote follow-ups. We suggest a 4-week trial with the sales team.
  3. Quarterly reviewKeep 4 tools, cancel 1 unused licence (saving £2,400 a year), and trial the CRM assistant.
  4. Heads upYour chat assistant's data terms change on 1 July. We checked them: no action needed, and here's why.

Ways we can help.

Independent advice on tools and suppliers

AI health check
Which AI tools your people use today, whether better ones would suit you, and any data protection or UK GDPR concerns, with clear next steps, in a short written report. £750 + VAT, fixed price.
AI tool and supplier review
The options compared against what you need: fit with your systems, data protection and security, cost over three years, lock-in and the risks. A written recommendation you can act on. Fixed price.
Second opinion
A supplier has sent a proposal or a quote. We tell you whether it's sound, what's missing and what to ask before you sign.
Ongoing AI review
We keep an independent eye on AI for your business, all year round. How it works.

AI strategy, governance and enablement

Leadership briefing
A half-day session on what AI can realistically do, the risks, and where to start.
AI strategy and roadmap
Prioritised opportunities across the business, an honest view of readiness, and a practical 90-day plan.
Governance and responsible use
Policies, risk assessment and acceptable-use guidance, so people use AI within clear limits.
AI enablement programmes
A clear picture of how your people use AI today, then a plan to raise adoption and skills, with training to match.
Leadership advisor
A senior AI consultant on call for your leadership team, on a monthly retainer.
Client
Large engineering organisation
Scale
30+ interviews across 12 roles
Role
Discovery and training review
Duration
Three weeks

AI capability discovery for a large engineering organisation

Part way through an AI enablement programme, the organisation needed an honest picture of where its people really were: what they used AI for, what held them back, and whether the training was working.

What we did

Over three weeks we interviewed more than 30 people, from junior staff to senior leaders, across engineering, operations and support functions.

We reviewed the existing AI training and mandatory modules, usage data and the programme's budget, and set what we found against what people said they needed.

What we found

  • Novel, valuable uses of AI in several roles, invisible to the rest of the organisation
  • Mandatory training that was generic, so completion was high but confidence was low
  • No owner for usage-based AI costs, so some teams overspent while others held back
  • A strong appetite to learn, especially from colleagues
people interviewed
30+
roles covered
12
weeks
3

Outcome

  • Role-based learning paths to replace the generic mandatory module
  • A champions network to spread the best uses of AI
  • Clear ownership and reporting for AI spend
  • A plan for the next stage of the enablement programme

Book a free 30-minute intro call.

Tell us what you're working on. You'll get an honest view of what would help and what a sensible first step would be. No obligation.