Should You Rely on Your Software Vendor’s AI? Why That’s a Risky Strategy
The Common Objection
In almost every boardroom, this question comes up:
“Our software vendor is building AI into their platform. Shouldn’t we just hold off and wait for that?”
It’s a fair concern. After all, most vendors now boast about AI features. But according to Jamie Claret, CEO of Autonomate and keynote speaker on AI and automation, this thinking misses a critical point: does it really solve your business problem, or just add shiny features?
What Vendors Are Really Offering
Right now, nearly every software vendor is rushing to add AI. In practice, that usually looks like:
A chatbot so you can “talk to your data”
An AI plugin that suggests actions inside the system
That’s nice, but it rarely addresses the bigger picture. It might help you query data more easily, but it won’t eliminate the bottlenecks that slow your business down.
The Real Question: Does It Solve the Process?
Your business doesn’t run on a single system. It runs on processes that span across multiple tools and teams.
Think about invoice processing:
One part might sit in your email system.
Another part in your finance software.
Another step in a spreadsheet or workflow tool.
No single vendor’s AI add-on will streamline that end-to-end. At best, it solves a slice of the problem.
Why Process Mapping Matters
Before plugging in any AI or automation, it’s worth asking:
Why are we doing this process?
How exactly are we doing it today?
Is this still the best way to do it?
Most processes have evolved organically—sometimes over decades. They “just happen” without anyone revisiting them. This is where Autonomate steps in:
We model your processes end-to-end.
We highlight inefficiencies, duplication, and unnecessary steps.
Then we show where AI and automation can actually make a difference.
And sometimes, the answer is: don’t automate yet—fix the process first.
Using Vendors on Your Terms
Here’s the smarter approach:
Understand your process – map it clearly.
Define the outcome – what bottleneck are you removing? What cost are you cutting?
Challenge your vendor – go back to them and say:
“This is our process. How does your new AI feature help us solve it end-to-end?”
Now you’re driving the conversation from strategy, not features.
Autonomate’s Role: Bigger Picture Thinking
At Autonomate, we don’t chase tools. We help boards:
Step back and see their processes clearly.
Align AI and automation to the business strategy (growth, cost reduction, efficiency).
Avoid wasting time on features that don’t move the needle.
This way, you get measurable results—not just another “AI-powered” button in your software.
Conclusion: Don’t Just Wait—Take Control
Vendor AI add-ons are useful, but they rarely solve the full problem. To unlock real business value, you need to:
Focus on processes, not just systems.
Align AI and automation with your business strategy.
Take control of the conversation with your vendors.