In today’s fast-paced business environment, companies with 10 to 200 employees face a common challenge: how to efficiently scale operations without getting bogged down by manual processes and disconnected systems. Workflow automation and AI-powered tools promise to streamline operations, save time, and free teams to focus on growth and innovation. But when it comes to implementing automation, should you build custom solutions in-house or buy ready-made systems? At NXT Automation, we partner with growing businesses to answer this pivotal question – helping you choose the path that delivers real ROI and sustainable efficiency.
Understanding the Automation Landscape for Growing Businesses
Before diving into build or buy, it’s important to grasp why automation matters for companies your size. Businesses in the 10-200 employee range often deal with:
– Repetitive manual tasks that eat up valuable time
– Multiple software systems that don’t communicate, creating data silos
– Scaling bottlenecks as manual workflows fail to keep pace with growth
You might already use some business process automation tools, but gaps remain that hinder efficiency.
The Case for Building Automation In-House
Building your own automation solutions often sounds appealing: customize every detail, tailor processes precisely, and own your systems outright. For some businesses, especially those with strong IT teams and complex, unique workflows, in-house builds can be effective. Here are the considerations:
– Pros:
– Full control over workflows and customization
– Ability to tightly integrate with proprietary systems
– No dependency on third-party vendors
– Cons:
– High upfront time and resource investment
– Requires skilled developers and ongoing maintenance
– Risk of delayed ROI due to longer development cycles
– Potentially limited scalability without continuous investment
For example, a 150-employee logistics company once tried building internal automation to manage order processing but ended up dedicating six months and significant developer hours before seeing usable results – time they could have spent growing the business.
The Benefits of Buying Ready-Made Automation
Buying automation solutions means leveraging existing platforms or hiring done-for-you automation experts like NXT Automation to implement systems tailored to your workflows. This approach often accelerates results and reduces risk.
– Pros:
– Faster deployment and immediate impact on workflows
– Access to mature AI automation tools refined over time
– Lower upfront costs compared to in-house builds
– Support from experienced partners who handle integration and scaling
– Cons:
– Less customization compared to building from scratch
– Ongoing subscription or service costs
– Potential challenges integrating with legacy tools if not carefully managed
For example, a mid-sized marketing agency with 75 employees worked with our team to implement workflow automation that integrated CRM, email marketing, and project management systems. Within three months, they reduced manual data entry by 60% and improved campaign turnaround time significantly.
Key Considerations When Making Your Decision
1. Assess your internal resources: Do you have the technical staff to build and maintain automation systems? If your team is already stretched thin, buying or partnering for done-for-you automation can free up bandwidth.
2. Prioritize speed to value: How quickly do you need results? Ready-made solutions or expert partners can often deliver ROI faster.
3. Consider scalability: Will your automation needs grow in complexity? Avoid systems that require complete rebuilds as you expand.
4. Look at integration capabilities: The fewer the disconnected systems, the smoother your workflows. Choose options that offer robust system integration with your existing tools.
5. Calculate total cost of ownership: Include development, maintenance, training, and potential downtime costs – both for building and buying.
How Done-For-You Automation Bridges the Gap
Done-for-you automation services, like those provided by NXT Automation, combine the best of both worlds. We work as your automation partner, designing custom workflows using proven AI automation platforms. This approach:
– Eliminates your need to hire or upskill developers
– Reduces implementation time through expert system integration
– Focuses on solving your unique pain points, from manual processes to scaling bottlenecks
– Ensures continuous optimization and support, maximizing ROI over time
Practical Steps to Evaluate Your Automation Approach
– Map out your manual workflows and identify top time-wasters
– List the software tools currently in use and note integration gaps
– Define your automation goals with clear metrics (e.g., reduce manual work hours by X%)
– Talk to automation experts who understand both technology and your industry
– Pilot small automation projects to test impact before wider rollout
Real Business Outcomes Speak Louder Than Features
At NXT Automation, our goal is measurable results. One client, a professional services firm with 120 employees, transitioned from fragmented workflows to integrated AI automation systems through our done-for-you service. Within six months, they cut proposal generation time by 45%, lowered error rates, and increased client satisfaction scores.
This kind of outcome isn’t about flashy tech; it’s about practical solutions that make your everyday work easier and your business more competitive.
Conclusion: Choosing What’s Right for Your Business
The decision between building vs. buying automation isn’t about right or wrong – it’s about what fits your company’s unique context, resources, and goals. If your priority is quick, measurable improvements with minimal risk, partnering with a done-for-you AI automation agency can be the smartest path forward. If you have specialized needs and a robust tech team, building might be worthwhile but requires clear planning and realistic timelines.
Automation is a powerful enabler for growth but only when it’s implemented thoughtfully and aligned with your business processes. We encourage business owners, operations managers, and CTOs at growing companies to assess their current workflows, pinpoint bottlenecks, and explore automation opportunities proactively. Whether building or buying, the right automation strategy will unlock new efficiency, reduce wasted time, and support sustainable scaling.
If you’re ready to explore how tailored, done-for-you AI automation can transform your operations, our team at NXT Automation is here to help guide you through the process. Get in touch to start assessing your automation potential today.