Posts on building AI systems that replace manual business processes. What works, what doesn't, and the code behind both.
Laires LabsActionstep's Steps workflow engine, Document Automation, and custom REST API code are three different things. Here's an honest engineer's teardown of what each ships and where the limits are.
Most UK AI automation agencies hide pricing behind a 'book a call' wall. Here's what real builds actually cost across the three tiers, with worked numbers per workflow and per vertical.
Karbon and Vic.ai aren't built for 3-30 staff UK practices. Here's what AI and automation actually shift in a small UK accountancy firm, what it costs, and what ICAEW cares about.
Intelliflo and the big planning tools aren't built for 2-20 adviser UK IFA firms. Here's what AI and automation actually shift, what it costs, and what FCA Consumer Duty requires.
Harvey and Legora aren't built for 2-20 partner UK firms. Here's what AI and automation actually shift in a small UK law firm, what it costs, and what the SRA cares about.
Most build vs buy frameworks oversimplify. Here's the honest 2026 decision matrix for UK services businesses choosing between SaaS, SaaS-plus-glue, and engineer-led custom AI builds.
Bullhorn Automation (the Herefish product) and custom code against the Bullhorn REST API are two different things. Here's an honest engineer's teardown of what each one ships and where the API limits really sit.
Clio Duo is a genuinely good AI assistant for in-Clio work. Here's an honest comparison with a custom build, where the line actually sits, and when a small UK law firm needs both.
Karbon AI is good at what it does and limited where it counts. Here's an honest comparison of Karbon's built-in AI features against a custom build, with workflow-by-workflow breakdown and 2-year cost math.
Most recruitment automation guides are written by Bullhorn or IBM. Here's what actually works for 5-25 recruiter UK agencies in 2026, with real costs.
Most UK AI automation agencies resell Zapier and n8n at custom-build prices. Here's what real builds cost, what 'custom' actually means, and what to ask before hiring.