Frequently Asked Questions

---

 At BrainIT Consulting, we're here to make tech work for you. Whether you're a small business or an individual, we specialize in simplifying your operations and boosting efficiency through smarter automation. No problem is too small, and no challenge is too big — we're always ready to help. Think of us as your go-to guides: teachers first, consultants second. Curious how we can support you? Just ask — we're listening!

BrainIT Consulting offers a wide range of IT consulting services, including but not limited to:

Business Process Operations (BPO)

At BrainIT Consulting, we help small business owners reclaim their time and focus by taking everyday operational burdens off their shoulders. Our BPO services are built to support the functions that slow you down — from customer support and appointment scheduling to data entry, reporting, and system management. But we go beyond outsourcing — we listen first. Then we customize our approach to fit your business, your budget, and your vision. Whether you need a helping hand or a fully managed service, we provide reliable support that reduces overhead, cuts dependency on complex IT setups, and frees you to grow with confidence.

Business Process Automation (BPA)

Modern business challenges demand smarter workflows — and that’s where our BPA services come in. We guide small businesses through the clutter of tools, platforms, and trends, helping them design and deploy automated systems that actually make sense. From AI-powered email handling to streamlined task routing and digital forms that talk to your CRM, we train, implement, and support automation solutions tailored to your operations. The goal? Less manual work, fewer errors, and more time for strategy, creativity, and growth — all without needing a developer on call.

A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system is a tool that helps you keep track of your interactions with customers — past, present, and future. Think of it as your business's digital memory. It stores contact details, communication history, follow-ups, quotes, invoices, sales activity, and more, all in one place. With a CRM, you can easily see who your customers are, what they need, and how to serve them better — without digging through emails or sticky notes.

For small businesses, a CRM isn’t just for sales — it’s a smart way to organize your day-to-day operations. Whether you’re managing leads, tracking service requests, or following up on payments, a CRM system helps you stay consistent, professional, and proactive. At BrainIT Consulting, we help you choose and set up the right CRM (like HubSpot, Zoho, or even Airtable) to match your goals — no IT team needed. We add value by helping them link and talk to your other systems, smart forms, accounting and more.

 🚀 The AI Wave: What Every Small Business Owner Needs to Know
 

A big change is happening in the business world — and it’s being powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

AI is like having a super-efficient assistant that works 24/7. It can take care of customer questions, organize your paperwork, handle bookings, and send out reminders — all automatically.

Until recently, this kind of technology was only used by big companies. But now, affordable, easy-to-use tools are putting that same power into the hands of small businesses.

You don’t need to learn code or hire a tech team. With the right tools, you can:

• Create smart forms that collect customer info and send it to the right person
   
• Set up automatic replies to customer questions or service requests
   
• Turn PDF documents into fillable online forms that organize your data instantly
   
• Build workflows that approve quotes, handle job requests, or send reminders — all without manual follow-up
   
• Store and track everything in one place so nothing gets lost or delayed
   

These tools work behind the scenes to keep your office running smoothly, even while you focus on serving customers or growing your business.

Ignoring this technology means:

• Wasting hours on admin tasks that could be automated
   
• Losing business because responses are too slow
   
• Falling behind competitors who are working smarter, not harder
   

You don’t need to be “tech-savvy.”
These new tools are built specifically for non-technical business owners — they’re visual, drag-and-drop, and easy to learn. And they can save you hours each week.

Bottom line:
If you’re spending too much time on scheduling, paperwork, or answering the same questions over and over — AI-powered tools can do that work for you.
The earlier you start, the faster you grow. We will guide you step by step.

 💬 Imagine you answer about 200 customer questions each month, and each one takes your team 2 minutes. That’s about 6½ hours of work. At $25/hour, you’re spending roughly $167 a month on those answers.

💲 Now picture a basic smart virtual agent costing $50 a month to run. You’d still save about $117—so for every dollar you spend on the agent, you get back more than $2 in saved time.

⚡ Bottom line: Even a simple smart virtual agent can pay for itself in just a few weeks. Plug in your own numbers for question volume, response time, and agent cost to see your exact savings. They can of course do much more to help streamline and automate your business and do it 24/7. We will be your guide.

Here’s a step-by-step formula you can follow:

Example with our numbers

• Questions: 200 
• Minutes each: 2 
• Hourly rate: $25 
• Agent fee: $50 

1. Support Hours = (200 × 2) / 60 = 6.7 hrs 
2. Human Cost = 6.7 × 25 = $167.50 
3. Net Savings = 167.50 − 50 = $117.50 
4. ROI = (117.50 / 50) × 100% ≈ 235%

 Our Rates

• Consulting: 
  • $75 / hour (billed in one-hour increments)
     
• Monthly Support Subscription: 
  • $250 for a 5-hour block each month 
  • Priority scheduling at your discounted rate 
  • Hours must be used within the month (no rollover)
     
• Free Introductory Call: 
  • 30-minute consultation at no charge for all new clients
     
• AI-Agent Trial: 
  • Complimentary prototype to explore AI automation & Smart Virtual Agents for customer service
     
• Package Discounts: 
  • Bundled savings on full setup, website builds, AI-agent training, and Shopify-integrated Smart AI Sales Agents 
  • (Shopify fees and setup not included)
     
• Billing: 
  • Handled seamlessly through our parent company, Blueridge Web Services
     

Ready to get started? Contact us to book your free consultation or learn more about our subscriptions and custom packages.

Watch this Make Automation Tutorial Video or reach out to BrainIT Consulting if you are stuck. Tip: If you don't like Make, you can also use Zapier as your automation bridge between platforms and Apps.

BrainIT Consulting focuses on helping small businesses automate repetitive tasks, improve workflows, and reduce errors. We offer hands-on IT consulting, custom automation solutions, and AI training to streamline how your business operates. 

Blue Ridge Web Services (BWS) is the parent company of BrainIT Consulting. BWS manages administrative functions like billing and client accounts, while BrainIT is the specialized consulting division. 

They were both founded by Emile du Toit.