Automation Cost and Time-Saving Calculator
Compare potential staff time released with software, review and setup costs. The result values capacity; it does not prove cash savings or a return on investment.
How the calculation works
Hours released = tasks × minutes saved ÷ 60. Capacity value = hours × loaded hourly cost. Net modelled benefit = capacity value − recurring costs. Setup payback = setup cost ÷ positive net monthly benefit.
Worked example
1,000 tasks saving 6 minutes each release 100 hours. At 20 per hour, capacity value is 2,000. Subtract 500 in recurring costs to get 1,500; a setup cost of 1,500 has a modelled one-month payback.
Read the limits before using the result
Use observed pilot timings and include review, exceptions, training, failure recovery and maintenance. If staff costs remain unchanged, released hours are capacity, not cash saved. Actual adoption can differ from this constant-input model.
NIST AI Risk Management Framework. See our calculation and research methodology.