SS Research

Selected analysis for consequential software decisions.

Practical research and comparisons of what AI, automation, and software actually cost—and when they make economic sense. Every piece makes its assumptions visible, compares the alternatives, examines hidden costs, and states the conditions under which the answer changes.

No proprietary benchmark dataset or customer results are implied. Numerical assumptions must be validated against the operation.

Research / AI ROIFund the outcome, not the hours-saved estimate.

How to Calculate AI ROI: Why Time Saved Is Not Money Saved

Calculate AI ROI without turning theoretical time savings into fictional cash: model capacity, capture, full cost, payback, NPV, and sensitivity.

Updated Aug 10, 2026AI investment evaluation · AI · Automation

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Research / AI economicsChoose AI, human, hybrid, or simple automation from observed straight-through completion, residual human work, failure consequence, recovered contribution, and captured capacity—not the subscription headline.

AI Receptionist Cost vs. Human Receptionist: The Real Break-Even Math

Current AI and human receptionist pricing, a transparent break-even model, three operating scenarios, and a decision matrix for AI-only, human, hybrid, or simple automation.

Updated Aug 10, 2026Home services · Inbound call handling · AI receptionist · Virtual receptionist

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Research / Local LLM vs APIUse hosted APIs by default; run locally only after a quality-gated, capacity-valid full-cost crossing survives operations and redundancy.

Local LLM vs. API Cost: When Does Self-Hosting Actually Win?

Compare local LLM vs. API cost with current token and GPU prices, capacity-constrained break-even math, operations, redundancy, quality, and caching.

Updated Aug 10, 2026LLM inference · Local LLM · AI APIs

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Comparison / AI agent vs RPAUse the least complex architecture that completes the work reliably.

AI Agent vs. RPA vs. Traditional Automation: Which Should You Actually Use?

Choose among AI agents, RPA, APIs, workflow automation, rules, hybrid systems, and human work using reliability, failure, and full-cost economics.

Updated Aug 10, 2026Business process automation · AI agents · RPA

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Research / Microsoft 365 Copilot ROILicense the workflows and users that clear an all-in captured-value test, not every user who can save time.

Microsoft 365 Copilot ROI: Is It Actually Worth the Cost?

Test Microsoft 365 Copilot ROI with current pricing, independently labeled evidence, captured-value break-even math, and four reproducible seat scenarios.

Updated Aug 10, 2026Microsoft 365 productivity · Microsoft 365 Copilot · Microsoft 365 Copilot Business

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