Overview

Managed Agent Operations (MAO) is a service model where AI agents are deployed, configured, and maintained by specialists—eliminating the need for internal AI expertise. Unlike DIY AI tools that require engineering resources, or consultants who deliver strategy without implementation, MAO provides working agents, ongoing optimisation, and outcome-based pricing. For UK professional services firms, MAO delivers AI automation in 2-4 weeks with zero internal burden.

Most firms know AI can save time. Few have the resources to make it work. The gap between AI promise and AI reality is filled with failed pilots, abandoned tools, and frustrated teams. MAO bridges this gap by handling everything technical—you focus on running your firm; we handle the AI.

2-4 weeksTime to first valueAgentised deployment data

0Internal AI hires neededMAO model design

99.9%Uptime SLAStandard service agreement

20+ hrsWeekly time saved per userClient case studies

What is Managed Agent Operations?

MAO treats AI agents like a managed service—similar to outsourced IT or cloud hosting. You define what you need; we build, deploy, and maintain the agents. Here are the four pillars that define the MAO approach:

Outcome-Based Pricing

Pay for results, not effort. Our pricing ties to measurable outcomes—hours saved, tasks completed, errors prevented—not billable hours or seat licenses.

Zero Internal Burden

No AI engineers to hire, no infrastructure to maintain, no prompt engineering to learn. Your team focuses on their expertise; we handle the AI operations.

UK Regulatory Expertise

Built for UK professional services. We understand ICAEW, SRA, FCA requirements and configure agents to maintain compliance by design.

Guaranteed Performance

SLA-backed commitments to uptime, response times, and productivity improvements. If agents underperform, we fix it or you don't pay.

"Consultants advise; MAO delivers. Traditional AI consulting produces strategy decks and recommendations, leaving implementation to you. MAO provides working agents, ongoing optimisation, and guaranteed outcomes."

MAO vs Alternatives

How does Managed Agent Operations compare to other approaches to AI adoption? This table breaks down the key differences:

Capability	Us	DIY	Cons	BPO
Time to value	2-4 weeks	3-6 months	6-12 months	1-2 months
Internal AI expertise needed
Ongoing maintenance burden
Customisation depth
Quality consistency
Scales without hiring
UK regulatory expertise
Outcome-based pricing

Full support Partial Not supported / High burden

How MAO Works

From first conversation to fully autonomous agents in weeks, not months. Here is the typical journey:

Liability & Leakage Audit

1 week

We map your current workflows to identify automation opportunities and risk areas. This audit surfaces where AI agents can add value and where human oversight must remain.

Agent Configuration

1-2 weeks

We configure AI agents for your specific workflows, integrating with your existing systems (Xero, Clio, Bullhorn, etc.) and training on your templates and procedures.

Supervised Rollout

1-2 weeks

Agents begin operating with high supervision. Every action is reviewed, building confidence and calibrating agent behaviour to your standards.

Autonomy Expansion

Ongoing

As confidence builds, supervision decreases. Agents handle routine tasks independently while flagging exceptions for human review.

Continuous Optimisation

Ongoing

Regular performance reviews identify new automation opportunities. Your MAO team proactively improves agent performance and expands capabilities.

Typical result: Working agents deployed in 2-4 weeks, with full autonomy expansion over 4-8 weeks as confidence builds.

Pricing Model

Transparent pricing tied to outcomes, not effort. No hidden fees, no surprise invoices. Choose the tier that matches your needs:

Foundation

For firms starting their AI journey

Up to 5 automated workflows
Single system integration
Standard support (email, 24h response)
Monthly performance reports
Shared agent infrastructure

Ideal for: Small practices, solo practitioners

Professional

For growing firms with complex needs

Up to 20 automated workflows
Multi-system integration
Priority support (4h response)
Weekly optimisation reviews
Dedicated agent instances
Custom workflow development

Ideal for: Mid-size firms, 10-50 staff

Enterprise

For large firms requiring bespoke solutions

Unlimited workflows
Enterprise system integration
Dedicated success manager
Daily performance monitoring
Custom SLAs and compliance
On-premise deployment option
White-label capability

Ideal for: Large firms, 50+ staff

Outcome-Based Guarantee

We commit to measurable results. If AI agents do not deliver the productivity improvements we agree upfront, you do not pay for that month. This aligns our incentives: we only succeed when you succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Managed Agent Operations (MAO)?

MAO is a service model where AI agents are deployed, configured, and maintained by specialists rather than your internal team. You get the productivity benefits of AI automation without hiring AI engineers or managing complex infrastructure. Think of it as a managed service—like outsourced IT or cloud hosting—but for AI agent workflows.

How does MAO differ from hiring an AI consultant?

Consultants advise; MAO delivers. Traditional AI consulting produces strategy decks and recommendations, leaving implementation to you. MAO provides working agents, ongoing optimisation, and guaranteed outcomes. You pay for results (tasks completed, time saved), not hours spent in workshops.

What about data security in a managed service?

MAO operates on a zero-retention model: your data is processed but never stored for AI training or by the service provider. All data remains in your existing systems (Xero, Clio, Bullhorn) via secure API connections. Agents access only what they need for immediate tasks, with full audit logs for compliance review.

Can we bring AI operations in-house later?

Yes, MAO is designed with portability in mind. Your workflows, templates, and configurations can be transferred to internal teams when ready. Many firms use MAO as a bridge—getting immediate value while building internal AI capability. There are no lock-in periods or proprietary dependencies.

What SLAs do you offer?

Standard MAO includes 99.9% uptime for agent operations, 4-hour response time for critical issues, and monthly performance reviews. Premium tiers offer dedicated support, custom integrations, and guaranteed productivity benchmarks. SLAs are outcome-based: we commit to time saved, not just system availability.

Ready to outsource your AI operations?

Get AI automation without the AI headaches. Our Liability and Leakage Audit identifies your highest-value automation opportunities in just 5 days.