Questions about AI & automation, answered plainly
What Tampa Bay business owners ask us most about AI for small business, workflow automation and Microsoft Copilot. Don't see yours? Call 813-793-4700 and ask a person.
Getting started
What does an AI consultant actually do for a small business?
We find the repetitive, error-prone work in your week and decide, with you, whether it's best solved with automation, a small internal tool, Copilot training or simply a cleaner process. Then we build the first version, test it with your team and support it afterward.
How do we get started?
Book a free consultation online or call 813-793-4700. We'll talk through where time and accuracy are being lost and suggest one problem worth tackling first. There's no obligation.
Do we need to be a ShowTech managed IT client?
No. Many consulting clients also use ShowTech for managed IT, which makes planning easier, but AI and automation consulting is available on its own.
We're not technical. Is that a problem?
Not at all. We explain everything in plain English and focus on your business process, not the technology. If you can describe the task that eats your week, that's enough to begin.
How the work runs
How long does an automation project take?
It depends on the problem, so we don't quote blanket timelines. What we can say is that we build in short sprints, and you'll see working software every week or two rather than waiting for a big reveal.
Will automation replace our staff?
That isn't our goal. We aim to remove the copy-and-paste and sorting work so your people can spend their time on clients, judgment calls and the work they were hired for. A person stays in charge of decisions that matter.
Do we have to replace our current software?
Usually not. Much of our work connects or adds a reporting layer to the systems you already use, including Microsoft 365, Outlook and practice or property management systems.
What happens after it launches?
We support what we build like the rest of your IT: updates, monitoring and help desk support. If something changes in a connected system, you call the same local team that built it.
Safety & control
Will AI send emails or make payments on its own?
No. Anything that leaves your organization or moves money goes through a human approval gate. Our AI email triage drafts routine replies, but nothing goes out until a person approves it.
How do you keep our data and tools secure?
We require MFA on every login, use Microsoft 365 single sign-on where applicable, keep internal tools internal until they've been reviewed, and maintain testing and audit trails. ShowTech holds the GTIA Cybersecurity Trustmark.
Can you make sure our AI use is compliant?
We can provide guidance and help you prepare, but we don't give legal or compliance determinations. Anything involving regulations such as HIPAA or PCI should be reviewed by your compliance owner or counsel.
Copilot & strategy
What is the Microsoft 365 Copilot Quickstart?
It's our Copilot onboarding and training program: hands-on guidance, strategic onboarding and role-based training across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Loop and Forms. It starts with a free consultation.
We're curious about AI but don't know where to start. Can you help?
Yes. AI readiness and strategy is part of our vCIO consulting. We review your processes, data and permissions, identify sensible first steps and fold them into your IT roadmap and budget.
Do you work outside Tampa?
We're based in downtown Tampa and work with organizations across Tampa Bay, including St. Petersburg and Clearwater, with additional ShowTech offices in Birmingham, AL and Mount Carmel, IL. Much of the build work can happen remotely.
How is pricing handled?
We scope the work before we build, so you know what you're getting before anything starts. Pricing depends on the problem, and the free consultation is the best way to get a clear answer.
Rather talk it through?
Call and a real person typically picks up in under four minutes. Tell us the task that eats your week and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth automating.