AI agents for business operations: what should you automate first?
An AI agent for business operations is software that can interpret a request and choose actions through connected tools within defined limits. Start with one recurring task whose result can be checked. DotGrey works with your team to build the software, connect your systems and put it into use. A fixed workflow is often a better choice when the steps never change.
Choose a task with an observable result
Good candidates have recurring inputs, accessible information and a person who can judge the output. Examples include preparing a response from internal documentation, collecting missing details for a quote or classifying incoming requests. Avoid starting with an agent responsible for an entire department. Write down what arrives, what counts as completion and which exceptions require someone to take over.
Define access and approval before actions
Separate permission to read information from permission to change a record or send a message. For an initial deployment, the agent can prepare a draft while an employee approves the consequential action. Limit each connection to the information and actions the task requires. Keep a record of the source used, proposed action, approval and result so an operator can investigate mistakes.
Test the whole task, including exceptions
Evaluate representative requests that were not used to tune the system. Include missing information, contradictory documents, unavailable tools and repeated requests. Check whether the result is correct and whether the system stopped when it should. Measure completion rate, human correction time and cost per completed task. A convincing demonstration on a few selected examples is not enough to establish reliability.
What does forward deployed delivery involve?
DotGrey starts with the people doing the work, maps the current process and agrees a limited first deployment. The implementation connects the required systems, adds review and exception handling, and is tested with the team before release. The agreed handover should cover operating instructions, access, monitoring, maintenance and a clear way to stop the system. Scope, timing and fees depend on the process and integrations discovered.