AI consulting for mid-sized companies
Not sure where to start with AI? We find the use cases that genuinely move your business and guide you from the first analysis to a pilot project. You get a clear roadmap, a realistic effort estimate and an initial solution that proves its value in everyday work.
AI consulting: the first step, when you don't know where to start
AI consulting is external advice for companies on using AI: it identifies suitable use cases, assesses effort and risk, and delivers an actionable roadmap.
You feel the pressure to do something with AI, but there is no order to it: which process pays off first? What data is missing? What does a pilot cost? We answer these questions together so you don't invest in technology on a hunch.
At northcommit, consulting and delivery come from a single source: when the roadmap turns into a custom solution, we build it as custom software – in-house in Germany and with the same contacts.
Typical use cases in mid-sized companies
AI pays off where tasks repeat regularly, rules or data are available, and employees spend a lot of time on them. These fields are a good starting point for mid-sized companies.
Documents and proposals
Read, prepare and review proposals, contracts and invoices: AI does the groundwork, your team approves.
Customer inquiries
Sort emails and inquiries, suggest replies and hand complex cases to your team.
Internal knowledge
Make manuals, policies and project knowledge accessible through search and questions, with traceable sources.
Sales and marketing
Qualify inquiries, summarize call notes and prepare content for the next customer conversation.
Back office and processes
Partially automate recurring workflows such as data entry, invoice checks and approvals.
Analysis and reporting
Combine data from ERP, CRM and Excel and prepare analyses or reports.
From use case selection to an onboarded team
AI strategy and use cases
We analyze processes, data and goals and prioritize use cases by value and effort.
Data and technology
We review data quality, interfaces and whether cloud, on-premises or a hybrid model fits.
Pilot and delivery
We take the first use case into pilot operation and measure the value against clear criteria.
Rules and enablement
We define roles and rules for AI use, clarify operations and enable your team to continue.
How we work together
Step 1 of 5: Initial consultation
Initial consultation
We look at where AI costs time or improves quality in your company today. You tell us about processes, systems and goals; we assess whether and where an AI project makes sense.
Outcome
- shared understanding of the starting point
- first use case ideas
- clear next steps
Analysis
We look at processes, data and systems and collect concrete use cases. Each use case is assessed by value, effort, data requirements and risk.
Outcome
- prioritized use case list
- assessment of effort and value
- recommendation for the first pilot
Roadmap
We select the first use case, define success criteria and agree on architecture and project scope. You get a roadmap that fits your budget and team.
Outcome
- pilot plan with milestones
- architecture and technology decision
- success metrics
Pilot
We implement the pilot, integrate it into existing systems and test it with real users. Human oversight and careful data handling are part of the solution from the start.
Outcome
- working pilot
- measurements from real operation
- a sound decision basis
Rollout and operations
After the pilot, we decide together on rollout, handover or ongoing support. We document, train and hand over so your team can take over.
Outcome
- rollout and operating concept
- trained team
- clear responsibilities
- Step 1 of 5Free of charge
We look at where AI costs time or improves quality in your company today. You tell us about processes, systems and goals; we assess whether and where an AI project makes sense.
Outcome
- shared understanding of the starting point
- first use case ideas
- clear next steps
AI consulting or an in-house AI team?
The decision depends on how permanently you need AI expertise. With AI consulting you start without recruiting and get use case selection, pilot and handover from a single source. An in-house AI team pays off when AI becomes a permanent part of your value creation and the knowledge should stay in the company. The two can be combined: start with consulting and build your own capacity afterwards.
| Criterion | Our focusAI consultingStrategy, pilot and handover from a single source | In-house AI teamA permanent internal team |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | ||
| Use case selection | Assess, prioritize, plan | Knows the business, AI expertise has to grow |
| Delivery | Pilot and integration included | Only after the team is built |
| Operations and knowledge | Handover to your team or ongoing support | Knowledge and operations stay in-house |
| Framework | ||
| Time to start | Ready to start, no recruiting | Recruiting and onboarding take time |
| Cost | Fixed price or time and materials | Permanent fixed personnel costs |
Who AI consulting is for – and who it is not
AI consulting is aimed at managing directors, IT leaders and business units in mid-sized companies who want to use AI deliberately. Whether consulting pays off depends on your starting point.
A good fit
- You know AI matters, but you don't know where to start.
- You have several AI ideas and need an order based on value and effort.
- Recurring tasks such as proposals, documents or inquiries take up a lot of time in your team.
- Your data sits in ERP, CRM or Excel and is not ready for AI yet.
A poor fit
- You are looking for an off-the-shelf tool; standard software is enough.
- There is no usable data basis yet; data foundations come first.
- You have an in-house AI team with prioritized use cases and need development capacity; custom software development is the better fit.
- Your business units are not involved; without them, the pilot lacks real-world relevance.
An external AI team at your side
An external AI team means: dedicated contacts who know your business, work with your team and support you in decisions with clear recommendations.
If you want to continue after the first pilot without building your own AI department, we work as part of your team. We maintain the use cases, prioritize with you, develop the architecture and rules for AI use and bring your team up to speed so the knowledge stays in the company.
How we work with your team:
- You have dedicated contacts who know your company and your systems.
- We meet your team on a regular rhythm.
- We prepare decisions on priorities and scope, you have the final say.
- We hand over documentation and knowledge continuously so you do not become dependent.
We start with a clear pilot; after that we decide together whether the model fits.
Frequently asked questions about AI consulting
AI consulting is external advice for companies on using AI. It identifies suitable use cases, assesses effort and risk, and delivers an actionable roadmap.
It refers to the consulting service for companies; AI as a consulting tool is a different topic.
The cost of AI consulting depends on scope: the number of use cases, the data situation, the number of systems and whether a pilot is implemented.
After the initial consultation you receive a transparent proposal – as a fixed price or time and materials, depending on the project.
How long AI consulting takes depends on scope: the initial consultation is one meeting, an analysis with several business units takes a few weeks.
The pilot follows in manageable steps so you see results early.
At the end of AI consulting you have a prioritized use case list, an assessment of effort and value and a roadmap for the first pilot.
If you want, we implement the pilot right away and hand it over to your team.
Data protection is an important aspect of AI projects because personal data is often processed.
We review data minimization, access and roles early and bring in external expertise where needed. We do not provide legal advice.
AI consulting clarifies which use cases make sense and what the roadmap looks like. AI automation implements a selected use case, for example as a workflow, agent or document processing.
The two build on each other: consulting comes first, automation follows.
Ready for your first use case?
Let's talk without obligation and clarify the next steps. Together we will see whether and where AI saves time in your company.