Question 1

How much does an AI consultancy service cost with funding?

Accepted Answer

Under the INQA coaching scheme, the federal government covers 80 per cent of the consultancy costs. For twelve days of consultancy, this amounts to a grant of 11,520 euros and a contribution of 2,880 euros from the client. We handle the application process, and payment is made via the funded consultancy agency.

Question 2

Does our data stay in Germany?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We use open-source software on servers in Germany, hosted either on our premises or within your own environment. There is no data transfer to US-based services and no lock-in to a single provider — the solution belongs to you.

Question 3

How long does it take for something to start working?

Accepted Answer

The first automated workflow is usually up and running within two to four weeks. We deliberately start with a process that delivers measurable time savings quickly, rather than with an overarching strategy.

Question 4

Do our staff need to learn something new?

Accepted Answer

Ideally, no. We implement automation where it integrates with existing processes — telephone, email, filing. If training is required, it forms part of the project and is also eligible for funding.

Question 5

What sizes of business do you work with?

Accepted Answer

The focus is on organisations with between 10 and 250 employees, as well as social service providers and local authorities. On-site in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and remotely throughout Germany.

Question 6

What exactly is bettersorted?

Accepted Answer

We're an AI consultancy based in Schwerin that helps small and medium-sized businesses automate recurring tasks — phone calls, filing, email correspondence and similar routine work. Instead of off-the-shelf software, we build tailored solutions that fit your existing processes.

Question 7

How does working together actually work?

Accepted Answer

It starts with a free initial consultation where we get to know your workflows and identify where the most time is being lost. A short analysis phase follows, then we implement the first automation and test it with real data from your business. Only once it runs reliably does it go into regular operation.

Question 8

Do we need technical or AI expertise ourselves?

Accepted Answer

No. You don't need to know how to code or understand AI — we handle all of that. What matters is that you know your own processes well, since those are exactly what we build around.

Question 9

Which industries do you work with?

Accepted Answer

We work especially often with trades businesses, social service providers, local authorities and service companies — anywhere a lot of time gets lost to phone calls, paperwork and recurring queries. In principle, though, our approach works across industries.

Question 10

Are your services eligible for funding?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most of our services can be subsidised through INQA Coaching, BAFA consultancy funding or Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's digitalisation funding — up to 80% of costs depending on the programme. We'll work out which programme fits during the free initial consultation.

Question 11

What sets bettersorted apart from other providers?

Accepted Answer

We don't build off-the-shelf solutions — we build automation tailored to your specific business, on an open-source basis, hosted in Germany, with no lock-in to a single provider. And if you want, we handle the entire funding application process for you.

Question 12

How long does an AI consultation take?

Accepted Answer

The initial consultation lasts 30 minutes. The subsequent assessment of the current situation and the implementation plan will depend on the scope of the project and will be assessed during the initial consultation.

Question 13

Is the consultation subsidised?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it can be subsidised through INQA coaching (up to 80 per cent) or the BAFA consultancy grant — depending on your business’s circumstances.

Question 14

Do I need to set this up automatically on bettersorted afterwards?

Accepted Answer

No. The implementation plan is yours. You decide whether to implement it and, if so, with whom.

Question 15

Will the consultation take place on site?

Accepted Answer

Either on site in Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, or remotely, as required.

Question 16

Do I need to switch from my current software?

Accepted Answer

No, automation links your existing programmes.

Question 17

What happens if a workflow fails?

Accepted Answer

Your team will be notified automatically, rather than only realising the error later.

Question 18

Can I have a workflow changed at a later date?

Accepted Answer

Yes, workflows can be viewed and can be customised or extended.

Question 19

Is AI automation eligible for funding?

Accepted Answer

Yes, usually via the same programmes as the AI consultation — we’ll look into that during the initial consultation.

Question 20

Who are these training courses suitable for?

Accepted Answer

Whether for teams with no prior knowledge or for those already using basic AI tools — the content is tailored to their level of expertise.

Question 21

How long does a training course last?

Accepted Answer

This depends on the topic and the number of participants and will be determined during the needs assessment.

Question 22

Are training sessions held on-site?

Accepted Answer

Either on site in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania or remotely, as required.

Question 23

Are training courses eligible for funding?

Accepted Answer

You may be eligible for INQA coaching — we’ll assess this during the initial consultation.

Question 24

How much does INQA coaching cost for my company?

Accepted Answer

Maximum net contribution of approximately €2,880. The total budget of up to €14,400 (12 days of consultancy) is subsidised at a rate of 80 per cent from ESF+ and BMAS funds.

Question 25

Who can apply for INQA coaching?

Accepted Answer

SMEs with fewer than 250 employees, based in Germany, with at least one full-time employee subject to social security contributions and an annual turnover of up to €50 million — including craft businesses, the liberal professions and charitable organisations.

Question 26

Where do the grants come from?

Accepted Answer

Funded by the EU’s European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus), co-financed by the BMAS. Unused funds will lapse — the programme will run for the rest of this year and next year.

Question 27

Do I have to pay in advance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the grant will be reimbursed once the project has been successfully completed. We’ll explain exactly how this works during our initial consultation.

Question 28

What issues can be addressed in coaching?

Accepted Answer

Digitalisation of business processes, AI implementation, work organisation, digital business models, securing a skilled workforce — the scope is tailored to your needs.

Question 29

Is the application complicated?

Accepted Answer

There are a few steps involved — but that’s exactly where we’re here to support you: from the initial consultation through to the IBS and the coaching voucher.

Question 30

Does this also apply outside Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania?

Accepted Answer

Yes, INQA Coaching is a nationwide programme. Whilst our main focus is on Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, we support companies throughout Germany.

Question 31

Who is eligible to apply for the BAFA consultancy grant?

Accepted Answer

SMEs with specific consultancy needs relating to business management, which commission consultancy services from a consultant listed with the BAFA.

Question 32

How much is the grant in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania?

Accepted Answer

In economically disadvantaged regions such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, up to 80 per cent of the assessment base of €3,500 is subsidised, i.e. up to €2,800.

Question 33

May I start the consultation before authorisation has been granted?

Accepted Answer

No. The consultation may only begin once you have received the information letter from the BAFA.

Question 34

How often can I claim this grant?

Accepted Answer

Up to five consultations during the programme period, but no more than two per calendar year.

Question 35

Is the MV digitalisation grant currently available?

Accepted Answer

The programme has been extended several times in the past and has been suspended at times. Please check the current status directly with TBI Technologie-Beratungs-Institut GmbH before submitting a project outline — we are here to help.

Question 36

Who is eligible to apply?

Accepted Answer

SMEs in the manufacturing, skilled trades or tourism sectors with fewer than 100 employees and a place of business in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Question 37

What is the application process?

Accepted Answer

Two-stage process: first, a project outline for preliminary assessment, followed by the formal funding application via the TBI.

Question 38

How much is the grant?

Accepted Answer

Up to 50 per cent of eligible costs as a non-repayable grant — the exact amount depends on the current call for applications.

Question 39

Is automation worth it even for a small craft business?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many modules, such as the telephone assistant, can be booked individually and are well worth it even for small teams without a permanent administrative assistant.

Question 40

Do I need to change my existing software for taking measurements or costing?

Accepted Answer

No, the automation integrates with your existing programmes.

Question 41

How long does it take to set up a telephone answering service?

Accepted Answer

Via call forwarding to your existing number, without the need for new hardware.

Question 42

Is there any funding specifically for craft businesses in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania?

Accepted Answer

Depending on their size, craft businesses can make use of INQA coaching, BAFA consultancy grants and the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern digitalisation grant — we’ll look into this during the initial consultation.

Question 43

Is this GDPR-compliant when it comes to sensitive data?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the data is processed on servers in Germany under a data processing agreement (DPA) in accordance with Article 28 of the GDPR.

Question 44

Will the telephone assistant replace our staff?

Accepted Answer

No, he takes calls and passes them on — urgent or sensitive matters are still forwarded to your team.

Question 45

Is this also suitable for smaller social service providers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the modules can be booked individually and used to suit the size of the support structure.

Question 46

Is there any practical experience of this?

Accepted Answer

An initial project with a social services organisation to automate telephone services is currently underway — we will publish detailed key figures as soon as they are available.

Question 47

Is it possible to use AI in public administration in a way that complies with the GDPR?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the requirement is that data is processed on servers in Germany in accordance with the AVV under Article 28 of the GDPR — this applies to all bettersorted modules.

Question 48

Can several departments use the same system?

Accepted Answer

Yes, automaisa Hub allows you to manage multiple modules and access points centrally.

Question 49

What’s the best way to get started?

Accepted Answer

With a free AI consultation, during which we’ll review your processes and explore suitable funding options.

Question 50

Is citizens’ data passed on to third parties?

Accepted Answer

No, the data is processed exclusively on servers in Germany and is not passed on for advertising purposes.

Question 51

Is that compatible with client confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Data processing takes place exclusively on servers in Germany under a data processing agreement (DPA) in accordance with Article 28 of the GDPR; no data is passed on to third parties.

Question 52

Can this be integrated with my law firm’s software?

Accepted Answer

During the initial consultation, we will assess whether integration with standard law firm software is possible, depending on the available interfaces.

Question 53

How much time can a telephone assistant save the law firm?

Accepted Answer

This depends on the volume of calls and will be assessed during the initial consultation based on your law firm.

Question 54

Is the consultancy eligible for funding?

Accepted Answer

Yes, through INQA coaching or the BAFA consultancy grant, depending on your practice’s circumstances.

Question 55

Will this mean I miss out on fewer bookings?

Accepted Answer

The telephone assistant answers calls even outside of office hours, rather than letting them go to voicemail — we’ll discuss the impact this will have on your business during our initial consultation.

Question 56

Can the chatbot also respond in multiple languages?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the languages are configured as required.

Question 57

Do I need to change my till software?

Accepted Answer

No, the automation integrates with your existing programmes.

Question 58

Is there any specific funding available for tourism businesses in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania?

Accepted Answer

The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Digitalisation Support Scheme is aimed, amongst other things, at businesses in the tourism sector — we will check current availability with you.

Question 59

Is it worth it even for a small garage?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the modules can be booked individually – for example, just the telephone assistant for booking appointments.

Question 60

Do I need to change my workshop software?

Accepted Answer

No, the automation integrates with your existing programmes.

Question 61

How quickly can the telephone assistant be set up?

Accepted Answer

Via call forwarding to your existing number, without the need for new hardware.

Question 62

Is this eligible for funding?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the size and location of your business, you may be eligible for INQA coaching, BAFA consultancy grants or the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern digitalisation grant.

Question 63

Is AI automation also suitable for small estate agencies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The modules can be introduced individually — one use case at a time, with others following the same pattern, regardless of the size of the company.

Question 64

Where is our property and tenant data stored?

Accepted Answer

Data processing takes place on servers in Germany. A data processing agreement (DPA) is concluded with each customer in accordance with Article 28 of the GDPR.

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