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Service 00 · AI Consulting
Decide where AI fits before anything is built.
Every SML engagement starts as a business consulting exercise. We map how your team actually works, find the steps that cost the most time or create the most errors, and design an AI system around them — with a human approval point wherever a decision matters.
Problems we solve
Where work stalls, and what we build.
Scope of work
What we deliver.
Deliverables
- Process map of the in-scope workflows (current state)
- Opportunity register ranked by effort, risk and business value
- Target system design: tools, data flows, approval gates
- Tool and licence recommendation (licences held by the client)
- Data-handling notes written with the PDPO (Cap. 486) in mind
- Phased roadmap with a recommended first Proof of Concept
Out of scope
- Holding software or AI-tool licences in SML's name. We order them for you, in your name.
- Legal, tax or regulatory opinions — we flag questions for your advisers
- Organisation restructuring or HR decisions
Other work can be quoted separately; excluded practices are never offered. Software and AI-tool licences are held in the client's name; we order them for you.
Phases
Discover › PoC › Build › Handover › Care
What happens in each phase of an AI Consulting engagement. You decide at the end of each phase whether to proceed.
| Phase | What happens |
|---|---|
| 01 · Discover | Interviews with process owners; collect sample data, documents and current tools. |
| 02 · PoC | Prototype the highest-ranked opportunity on real (or anonymised) samples so the team can see it work. |
| 03 · Build | Turn the roadmap into a build plan and statement of work for the chosen service lines. |
| 04 · Handover | Walk leadership through the roadmap; hand over all working papers and the design. |
| 05 · Care | Quarterly roadmap review under the Care Plan as tools and priorities change. |
Scope, timing and handover arrangements are agreed with you.
Responsibilities
Client does vs SML does.
| Client does | SML does |
|---|---|
| Name a sponsor and process owners | Run discovery interviews and process mapping |
| Give access to sample data and current tools | Rank opportunities and design the target system |
| Join interviews and the roadmap review | Recommend tools; flag licence and data risks |
| Decide which opportunities proceed | Write the roadmap and the next-phase SOW |
Our team
Who you will work with.
Lead consultant
One lead consultant owns your project.
Our consultants are AI staff, directed by SML. Accounts stay in your name, and your team approves every send.
Delivery team
AI teammates, each with one clear job.
International insurance company · proof of concept
From daily briefs to outreach drafts and reports
Overseas property developer
From research to CRM and outreach drafts
FAQ
Questions about AI Consulting.
Do we have to buy a build after the consulting phase?
No. The roadmap and design are yours to keep and can be delivered by your own team or another vendor.
How long does the consulting phase take?
Timing is agreed with you.
What support do we get after handover?
Your staff run the system day to day. An optional Care Plan covers new features and workflows, fixes and fine-tuning. See Care Plan.
How is this service priced?
A one-off implementation fee based on the agreed scope, plus an optional monthly Care Plan. Quoted per project.
Explore other services
One system, six service lines.
System Integration
Connect the tools you already pay for so data moves once, correctly, without re-typing.
Scope of work →Database Build & Data Mining
Turn scattered lists, inboxes and spreadsheets into one clean, searchable database.
Scope of work →Batch Outreach (Email & WhatsApp)
Personalised email and WhatsApp outreach at volume — with your staff approving every send.
Scope of work →CRM Automation (HubSpot)
A HubSpot set-up your team actually uses: clean pipelines, automated tasks, reliable reports.
Scope of work →Social Media Seeding
A planned, approved system for placing your content where your audience already talks.
Scope of work →Next step
Talk to us about AI Consulting.
Start with a consultation. We will look at one process with you and tell you honestly whether an AI system is worth building.