Independent Technical Advisory
Industrial Automata provides independent technical advice for organisations facing problems involving technology, data, automation and AI.
The starting point is not a product or a predetermined solution. It is the problem itself.
- Investigate
- Diagnose
- Advise
We investigate how a system actually works, identify the underlying problem, and recommend the most appropriate course of action. That may involve new technology, existing technology, automation, a specialist contractor—or sometimes doing nothing.
We are not tied to any particular technology, product or supplier. On smaller projects we may carry out the work ourselves, but if another vendor is a better fit, we will say so. The recommendation does not depend on who ends up doing the work.
What we can help with
Technology & IT
- Technical problem investigation
- Systems and infrastructure assessment
- Network and hardware planning
- Data and database systems
- Software and workflow evaluation
- Legacy-system problems
- Procurement and specification
- Independent review of IT proposals and quotations
- Working with contractors on the client’s behalf
AI & Automation
- Identifying processes where AI or automation could provide genuine benefit
- AI feasibility and workflow assessment
- Automating repetitive administrative or data processes
- Data preparation and transformation
- Small-scale prototypes and proof-of-concept systems
- Assessing AI products and vendor proposals
- Determining when AI is not the appropriate solution
The emphasis is on practical improvements rather than technology for its own sake.
Client-side technical advice
Organisations often have to rely on suppliers to tell them what technology they need. This creates an obvious problem when the supplier also profits from implementing the recommended solution.
Industrial Automata can act as an independent technical representative for the client:
- Client
- Independent assessment
- Specification
- Contractor
- Implementation
The contractor remains responsible for doing the technical work. We ensure that the work being commissioned is actually appropriate to the client’s requirements.
This can include helping organisations select contractors, assess proposals, define requirements and oversee implementation.
Archaeology
The same investigative approach is applicable to archaeological projects.
Industrial Automata can provide independent archaeological and technical advice where archaeological knowledge, data, technology and project requirements intersect.
This includes archaeological systems, data, technology assessment, research methodology and translation between archaeological and technical disciplines.
The underlying principle
Don’t start by asking what technology to buy. Start by establishing what problem needs to be solved.
A good solution may be sophisticated.
It may also be a spreadsheet, a small Python program, an existing piece of software, a change to the workflow—or no new technology at all.
Example: Colophon, a zero-cost Linux point-of-sale system for a volunteer-run bookshop, built with the staff who use it.