AI adoption
Independent advice on what AI could improve in your business and whether the expected benefit justifies the investment.
AI adoption & IT security consulting
Independent advice on AI adoption and IT security.
Lean on Paul’s deep and wide experience and get real-world, concise, independent advice.
Decisions I help with
Where is AI worthwhile?
Is security being managed properly?
What justifies investment?
Choose the advice you need
AI automation
Assess whether AI automation could improve a recurring business process enough to justify its cost and ongoing attention.
AI security and governance
Independent advice on which AI uses to permit and how to protect the information your business and clients entrust to you.
IT security
Understand how well your business is protected, address weaknesses and make security part of the way your systems are managed.
Microsoft 365 security
Review how your business email and documents are protected, and decide which changes are worth making.
Business continuity
Understand what a systems outage would mean for your business and whether your recovery arrangements meet that need.
What the advice gives you
A reason for each recommendation
Understand the business need, the options and why a particular option is recommended.
Practical use of your budget
Understand the cost of the work and how it supports your business.
Advice through implementation
Check the work against your agreed priorities and assess the result.
Direct access to your adviser
I’m Paul Appleby. I provide independent advice on AI adoption and pragmatic IT security, working alongside your existing IT provider. We agree the scope and cost before work begins, and you discuss the findings directly with me.
Illustrative case studies
Illustrative case studies: fictional business scenarios showing a possible approach and potential benefits. These are not client engagements or measured results.
Professional services · Illustrative
Clearer control of client information in Microsoft 365
A fictional professional services firm has grown through new offices and staff changes. A client asks who can access its documents, and the firm cannot give a clear answer.
Potential benefit: Clearer responsibility for access, fewer unnecessary permissions and a more reliable answer when clients ask how their information is protected.
Distribution and logistics · Illustrative
A recovery plan the business can assess
A fictional distribution business relies on one system for orders, stock and dispatch. Its backups report success, but nobody knows how long a serious outage would interrupt deliveries.
Potential benefit: Recovery expectations supported by evidence, clearer responsibilities and a practical basis for reducing disruption.
Construction and property services · Illustrative
Invoice automation with financial control retained
A fictional construction and property business handles invoices across several teams. Repeated data entry and unclear approvals cause delays, and the finance lead is considering AI.
Potential benefit: Less repeated entry and fewer avoidable queries, if the trial demonstrates a worthwhile improvement after checking and running costs are included.
Before you get in touch
Will you replace our IT support provider?
My consultancy works alongside your existing IT team or provider. They know your systems and day-to-day requirements; I contribute an independent assessment and support for the agreed improvements.
Do we need to know exactly what the problem is?
No. You can start with a concern, a proposed purchase or a process that is causing difficulty. The first conversation helps establish what needs examining. If you already have a defined requirement, we can discuss that directly.
How is the work priced?
The scope and price are agreed before work starts. If the requirement changes, we discuss the effect on the work and cost before proceeding.
Discuss your next technology decision.
Speak directly with Paul Appleby about the decision you need to make. The initial conversation is free.