One dedicated partner learns your business and owns the roadmap. A full team assesses, builds, integrates, and operates the automations. Three-month minimum, then month-to-month.
3-MONTH MINIMUM · MONTH-TO-MONTH AFTER
How we compare
Choose the operating model that matches the work you need done.
| In-house VP of AI | IRONBACK | Traditional consultant | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial model | Salary and employment costs | $96K annualized | Hourly or fixed scope |
| Delivery capacity | Depends on the team you assemble | Partner plus existing build team | Depends on scope |
| Areas assessed | Set internally | All seven | Defined in the SOW |
| Runs the systems after? | If staffed for it | Yes | Only if included |
| Commitment | Permanent headcount | 3 months, then month-to-month | Fixed-scope project |
| Turnover risk | Yours | Ours | N/A |
| Billing | Salary, benefits, equity | One flat invoice | Hourly or fixed fee |
Common questions
A flat retainer keeps assessment, implementation, integration, and ongoing operations under one commercial model. The scope is prioritized against the value and feasibility of each opportunity.
Three months, then month-to-month. Cancel with thirty days notice any time after that. There is no annual lock-in or savings guarantee; the month-to-month structure is the risk boundary.
We assess your operation across seven categories: call handling, estimating, documentation, follow-up, scheduling, reporting, and inventory. You get a written Value Assessment with assumption-based financial projections, and we begin the first priority build.
Build and run. We prioritize the top three or four opportunities the assessment surfaces, wire them into the software you already use, and report progress against the agreed baseline. Your dedicated partner owns the account; the team does the work.
Your dedicated partner, the build team, implementation work, ongoing operations, and monthly reporting are included. Existing software licenses and approved third-party costs remain your responsibility unless the agreement states otherwise.
An internal hire adds permanent headcount and requires the company to assemble supporting skills. Ironback provides one accountable partner backed by an existing implementation and operations team.
Traditional consulting may stop at recommendations. We combine assessment and prioritization with implementation, integration, and ongoing operations.
We scan your online presence, benchmark you against local competitors, and walk you through nine operational questions. You get a scored report with directional estimates and prioritized next steps. See your initial score before email is required to unlock the full report.