Which AI model fits your organisation?

Three delivery models, different commitments, different outcomes. The table below lays out what each one actually involves so you can compare before a single call.

Dimension	Diagnostic sprint	Embedded build	Managed intelligence
Duration	2 weeks	8 – 14 weeks	Ongoing retainer
Team involvement	1 – 2 stakeholder interviews	Cross-functional working group	Dedicated account lead
Data requirement	Existing datasets reviewed	Data pipeline co-designed	Continuous ingestion and monitoring
Deliverable	Opportunity map + feasibility report	Production-ready model or system	Monthly performance reports + model tuning
Custom training	—	✓	✓
Post-launch support	—	30-day warranty	Included
Best for	Organisations unsure where AI adds value	Teams ready to ship a specific AI feature	Companies wanting AI without hiring internally

"We started with the diagnostic sprint because we genuinely didn't know if our data was good enough. The feasibility report saved us from a six-figure mistake."— Operations director, Scottish logistics firm

Artificial Intelligence services: a comparison guide

Most AI consultancies present a menu of buzzwords. We built this guide so you can see exactly what each engagement looks like, what it costs in time, and what you walk away with.

Adroit AI Concept works with mid-size organisations across Scotland and the wider UK. We focus on practical machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision — not theoretical research papers. Every project begins with your business question, not a technology stack.

Our comparison approach exists because we watched too many companies buy the wrong engagement. A retailer that needed demand forecasting signed up for a six-month embedded build when a two-week sprint would have told them their point-of-sale data was incomplete. A healthcare analytics team hired a managed retainer before they had a single validated use case.

This page is designed to prevent that kind of mismatch. Read the comparison table above, check the fit-check section below, then reach out only when you know which model suits your situation.

Team reviewing AI data visualisations in a Scottish office

Since 2019 we have completed 46 diagnostic sprints, 21 embedded builds, and manage 9 active intelligence retainers across logistics, healthcare, retail, and energy.

Fit check: which model matches your reality?

Answer honestly. The wrong model wastes budget and erodes internal trust in AI projects. These cards describe the situation each model was designed for.

Diagnostic sprint

You suspect AI could help, but your team hasn't identified a specific use case. You have some historical data — spreadsheets, CRM exports, sensor logs — but nobody has assessed whether it's usable for machine learning. You want clarity before committing budget.

Low commitment, high clarity

Embedded build

You already know what you want to automate or predict. Your data exists in a structured form — a database, API, or warehouse. You have at least one technical person internally who can own the system after handover. You need a working model, not a report.

Defined scope, production output

Managed intelligence

You want ongoing AI capability but hiring a full data science team isn't realistic. You need models monitored, retrained, and improved monthly. You prefer a fixed monthly cost over project-by-project billing. You value continuity over one-off delivery.

Continuous value, predictable cost

"The embedded build delivered a demand forecasting model that reduced our overstock by 18% in the first quarter. The 30-day warranty period caught two edge cases we hadn't anticipated."— Supply chain manager, Edinburgh-based retailer

Edinburgh cityscape at dusk representing Scottish business landscape

Built in Scotland, deployed anywhere

Our core team works from Wiegand-under-Keeling. We run on-site workshops when needed and deliver remotely when geography allows. The diagnostic sprint is fully remote. Embedded builds typically involve two on-site days at kick-off and one at handover. Managed intelligence runs entirely through secure cloud infrastructure.

We hold ISO 27001 certification and work within NHS Scotland and Scottish Government data-handling frameworks when required.

Delivery path: what happens after you choose

Scoping call

A 30-minute call where we ask about your data, your business question, and your internal capacity. No pitch deck. We listen and take notes.

Proposal and scope document

Within five working days you receive a written scope document. It names the model type, the data requirements, the timeline, and the fixed fee. No hourly billing surprises.

Kick-off and data access

We set up a secure data transfer, agree on communication cadence, and introduce the technical lead who will own your project from start to finish.

Build, test, validate

For sprints this takes about ten working days. For embedded builds, we work in two-week cycles with a demo at the end of each. Managed retainers have monthly review sessions.

Handover or ongoing management

Sprint clients receive a written report and a recorded walkthrough. Build clients get deployment documentation, model artefacts, and a 30-day support window. Managed clients continue with monthly tuning and quarterly strategy reviews.

Common questions before choosing

How much data do we need to start?

For a diagnostic sprint, we can work with whatever you have — even messy spreadsheets. We assess quality and volume as part of the engagement. For an embedded build, you typically need at least a few thousand structured records. We will tell you honestly during the scoping call if your data isn't ready.

Can we switch from one model to another mid-project?

Yes, though it rarely happens. A sprint sometimes reveals that an embedded build is the logical next step, and we apply the sprint fee as a credit toward the build. Moving from a build to a managed retainer is straightforward because the handover documentation is already in place.

Do you work with companies outside Scotland?

We do. About a third of our clients are based elsewhere in the UK. Remote delivery works well for sprints and managed retainers. Embedded builds with on-site days outside Scotland incur travel costs, which we quote upfront.

What industries have you worked in?

Logistics, retail, healthcare analytics, energy forecasting, and public-sector service design. We don't claim expertise in every vertical. If your industry is outside our experience, we'll say so during the scoping call rather than pretend otherwise.

Who owns the models and intellectual property?

You do. Every contract transfers full IP rights on delivery. For managed retainers, IP transfers at the end of the engagement or at any point you choose to bring the work in-house.

Start with a scoping call

Tell us what you're trying to achieve. We'll respond within one working day with a suggested next step — usually a 30-minute call.

Phone
+44 1355 545580

Email
[email protected]

Address
48 Kitty Wood, Wiegand-under-Keeling, Scotland, HL1 3WU, United Kingdom

Office hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 17:30

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Disclaimer

The information on this website describes our general service offerings and is not a contractual commitment. Specific deliverables, timelines, and fees are agreed in individual project contracts. Past results described on this site do not guarantee future outcomes, as every AI project depends on data quality, organisational readiness, and scope.

Adroit AI Concept is not liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on information published on this website. We recommend discussing your specific requirements with us before making any business decisions based on the content here. Last reviewed 1 January 2026.