Thinking
workflow improvement
All articles tagged with "workflow improvement".
Platform capabilities and technical insights
Build vs Buy vs Partner: The AI Vendor Selection Framework for Mid-Market Distributors
Mid-market distributors face three paths when deploying AI: pre-built vendor models, custom development, or third-party APIs. Most lack a clear framework to evaluate them. The wrong choice delays implementation by 6-12 months and wastes £50,000-£200,000. This decision matrix maps implementation timeline, cost structure, and risk profile for each approach. Pre-built models deploy in 8-12 weeks at lower cost but limited customisation. Custom development takes 16-24 weeks with full control and competitive advantage. Third-party APIs offer middle ground at moderate cost and configuration flexibility. The right choice depends on data maturity, technical capacity, and competitive urgency. A distributor with clean data and a 6-month runway can pursue custom development. A distributor with fragmented systems and a 10-week deadline cannot. Four questions determine the viable path: data quality, timeline urgency, competitive differentiation, and internal technical capacity.
Operational workflow improvement
Why Workflow Delays Cost More Than Bad Choices
Workflow delay costs more than bad decisions. While businesses obsess over accuracy, slow approval cycles erode margins daily. Commerce operations that reduce decision time by 60-80% see immediate financial returns through faster pricing, inventory allocation, and campaign responses.