AI Automation, Built From an Operations Point of View
We help UK SMEs get repetitive work out of people's inboxes, spreadsheets, and heads—and into workflows the team can understand, trust, and improve.
Founded by Lana Korzhuk, an operations, ERP, and AI automation specialist with nearly 20 years' experience improving business processes and implementing practical technology.
Why Clients Trust Us
- 20 years operations and ERP experience
- SME-focused workflow automation
- Human-controlled AI implementation
- Practical ROI-led delivery
One invoice-matching project
Measured operational results
staff time saved
processing reduction within 90 days
annual saving
These figures all refer to the same invoice-matching implementation. Read the case study.
Our Story
SIMARA AI exists because smaller businesses deserve better than a choice between enterprise-scale programmes and a pile of disconnected AI subscriptions.
We started with a specific frustration: watching operational teams lose hours to manual processes that a well-scoped AI workflow could handle in minutes. The technology was there, but the approach was wrong for businesses with 10 to 200 people.
So we built an approach around the workflow, not the technology. We map the manual process, estimate the time savings, build a working prototype on your real data, and measure whether it actually delivers. In our published invoice-matching case, manual processing fell by 65% within the first 90 days.
Today we work with UK businesses across logistics, manufacturing, professional services, and retail. Each project gets its own baseline and payback calculation before implementation.
Who's Behind Simara
Practical AI, Built Around Real Operations
Lana Korzhuk
Founder & AI Automation Consultant
With 20+ years progressing from senior developer to Chief Operating Officer, Lana brings deep expertise in IT systems, ERP implementation, and operational strategy. An MBA in Finance, an IT degree, and postgraduate qualifications in AI & Machine Learning from Caltech give her both the technical depth and the business lens to design automation that actually works.
She founded SIMARA AI to give SMEs the same operational advantages that large enterprises build with six-figure budgets — starting with one workflow, proving the value, and scaling only what the numbers justify.
“Most SME AI projects fail because they start with the tool instead of the workflow. We start with the manual bottleneck, measure the cost, and build only what can prove value.”
— Lana Korzhuk, Founder
Operations First
AI only works when the workflow, data, and people around it are understood. We start with how work actually happens.
No Rip-and-Replace Thinking
We design around existing systems where possible — ERP, CRM, spreadsheets — not expensive rebuilds.
Human Oversight by Design
AI workflows should flag uncertainty, route exceptions, and keep people in control of decisions that matter.
Measurable Before Scalable
We start with one workflow and prove whether the numbers justify scaling. No commitment beyond what's proven.
Our Values
How we decide what to build, and how we know it is working
Measure everything
If we cannot define a success metric before we build, we do not build.
Every project starts with a specific target: hours saved, error rate reduced, or cost per transaction lowered. We track those numbers after deployment so you can see whether the investment is paying off.
Stay current
AI tools change fast. What worked six months ago may not be the best option today.
We spend time each week evaluating new models, APIs, and approaches so our recommendations reflect what is available now, not what we learned last year.
Stay involved
A workflow that works in month one needs adjusting by month six.
We keep working with clients after go-live. When your processes change or volumes shift, we update the automation rather than leaving you with something that slowly stops fitting.
Get it right
We test on your real data before anything goes live.
Every prototype runs against actual documents, emails, or transactions from your business. We fix problems during the pilot, not after deployment.
Our Approach
We start with the business problem, not the technology. Every engagement follows the same steps:
Discovery
We start by understanding your business processes, pain points, and objectives through in-depth consultation.
Assessment
We identify opportunities for automation and process optimisation, prioritising quick wins and high-impact areas.
Solution Design
We design the workflow around your rules, your team, and the systems that already keep the business running.
Implementation
We deploy solutions with minimal disruption to your operations, providing training and support throughout.
Measurement & Optimisation
We track performance metrics to ensure your solution delivers the expected ROI, continuously optimising for better results.
Why Choose SIMARA AI?
Every engagement begins with mapping how your team actually works today. We look at the manual steps, the handoffs, and where time gets lost before recommending anything.
We define what success looks like before building anything. Our invoice automation project cut processing of 100 invoices from roughly 8 hours to 10 minutes, with a team of 4 reduced to 1. You can read the full case study.
We connect to your existing ERP, CRM, email, and accounting tools. No platform migration, no new software to learn. The AI sits between your systems and handles the repetitive steps.
Workflows need tuning as your business changes. We agree monitoring, ownership and support rather than leaving you with a system nobody can adjust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our approach to AI implementation
Do we need technical expertise to work with you?
No. We design every solution so your existing team can use it without specialist technical skills. We handle the build, train staff on the finished workflow and support changes after go-live.
How do you handle data security?
We agree how data is processed before work begins, use encrypted connections, role-based access and audit logging, and keep data in systems you control wherever possible. Every implementation is scoped around UK GDPR and the sensitivity of the workflow.
Which industries do you specialise in?
We work primarily with UK SMEs in logistics, manufacturing, professional services, construction and retail. The method transfers across sectors because it begins with the real workflow, its rules and its risks.
What ROI should we expect?
It depends on volume, handling time, error cost and adoption. We establish a baseline and estimate payback before implementation rather than promising a generic percentage. The published invoice-matching figures belong to that specific project.
How quickly can we see results?
A focused working prototype is often possible in one to two weeks. Production timing depends on integrations, edge cases, testing and change support; the scope and milestones are agreed before work starts.
Do you replace our existing systems?
Usually not. We integrate with the ERP, CRM, email, accounting and storage tools already in use, then automate the manual steps between them. If a system is the underlying problem, we will say so before proposing automation.
Find Your Best Automation Opportunity
Send us the manual process costing you the most time. We'll reply with an honest view of whether automation is worth pursuing.
Send Us Your Workflow