How much does it cost and what do I get?

The IT & Process Automation Audit is €1,099 (1–2 weeks) and includes a written report and one presentation meeting. The Audit + Growth Roadmap is €1,499 (2–4 weeks) and gives you a 3–12 month action plan. Full implementation is quoted on request after a short call; typical range €5,000–25,000 depending on scope. Every proposal has clear scope, deliverables and timeline — no hidden fees.

Do we need to have everything organized before contacting you?

No. Chaos is exactly the starting point. We are used to unclear processes, scattered documents and "we have always done it this way." The audit is there to map what you have and then recommend what to fix first.

We already have an IT person or IT company. Can you still help?

Yes. We do not replace your team. We audit and advise — you can use our report to work with your existing IT person or with another partner. Many clients use us for a one-off diagnosis and then decide who implements.

We are based outside Palma. Can we still work with you?

Yes. We offer video calls for clients off the island. Our primary market is the Balearic Islands, but we work with companies across Spain and internationally. The default for local clients is a meeting in Palma.

How long before we see results?

You get the Audit report and presentation within 1–2 weeks. The Roadmap is ready in 2–4 weeks. If you continue with implementation, first measurable improvements in time, cost or quality typically appear within a few weeks of the first deliverables.

Do you work with non-technical clients?

Yes. The process is designed for directors and general managers who are not IT specialists. We explain everything in plain language. You do not need to know systems or tools — we map your operations and recommend next steps in a way you can understand and decide on.

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Automation

Process Automation for SMEs: A Practical Guide

January 18, 2026

7 min read

GLC Team

Process Automation for SMEs: A Practical Guide

Automation often sounds like something only large enterprises can afford. In reality, small and medium businesses have the most to gain — and the lowest barrier to entry.

Where to Start: The 80/20 of Automation

Not every process should be automated. Start with tasks that are:

Repetitive — done the same way every time
Time-consuming — take significant hours weekly
Error-prone — human mistakes have real consequences
Rule-based — follow clear if/then logic

Top 5 Automations for SMEs

1. Invoice Processing

Before: Manual data entry from emails, creating invoices in spreadsheets, chasing payments by email.

After: Automatic invoice generation, payment reminders, and reconciliation.

Typical savings: 5–10 hours/week.

2. Lead Follow-Up

Before: Sales team manually tracks leads, sends follow-up emails from memory, loses prospects in the pipeline.

After: Automatic lead capture from website forms, timed follow-up sequences, notifications for hot leads.

Typical savings: 3–5 hours/week + 20–30% more conversions.

3. Report Generation

Before: Someone spends Friday afternoon pulling data from multiple tools to create weekly reports.

After: Automated dashboards that update in real-time, scheduled report delivery.

Typical savings: 3–8 hours/week.

4. Employee Onboarding

Before: HR manually sends welcome emails, creates accounts, assigns tasks.

After: Triggered workflow that handles the entire onboarding sequence.

Typical savings: 4–6 hours per new hire.

5. Data Synchronization

Before: Manual updates across CRM, accounting, project management, and communication tools.

After: Real-time sync between all tools through integrations.

Typical savings: 5–15 hours/week (depending on team size).

Tools That Work for SMEs (2026)

Zapier / Make (Integromat) — Connect apps without coding. €20–100/month.
n8n — Open-source alternative. Free to self-host.
HubSpot (Free CRM) — Solid CRM with built-in automation.
Airtable — Database + automation for flexible workflows.
Notion — Documentation and project management with API access.

How Much Does It Cost?

Simple automation (connecting 2–3 tools): €500–2,000 setup, minimal monthly costs.

Medium complexity (custom workflows, 5+ tools): €2,000–8,000 setup.

Full process redesign + automation: €5,000–15,000.

The ROI is typically 3–6 months. After that, it's pure savings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Automating a broken process — Fix the process first, then automate

2. Over-engineering — Start simple, add complexity only when needed

3. No documentation — If the person who set it up leaves, can someone else maintain it?

4. Ignoring edge cases — Automation works for 90% of cases. Plan for the other 10%

GLC Recommends

Looking for IT solutions in Mallorca? GLC provides honest consultations and practical automation services for businesses in the Balearic Islands. We help you identify what actually works for your specific situation.

Get Consultation

Start small. Pick one process that wastes the most time, automate it, measure the results, and then move to the next one.