FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Everything about how we work, from where you start to what it costs. Question not listed? Book a meeting.
About Stekz
How does a project with Stekz start?
With where your business is heading: your ambition, mission, vision and strategy. From there we map your processes together and build in small steps. Each step makes the next one logical, value first, and you can stop at any time.
Why Stekz and not a consultant or a separate IT company?
Because you get strategy, execution and operations under one roof. From vision to working software to ongoing development, by one experienced team that knows your business.
How experienced is Stekz?
30 years in software, with 50+ professionals: engineers, strategists and designers. We also organise aiGrunn and pyGrunn, and are an active part of the AI movement in the North.
Does my data stay mine?
Yes. We work with open-source AI that runs on your own infrastructure. Your code, data and models stay yours. No vendor lock-in.
In which sectors does Stekz work?
Among others logistics, manufacturing, trade and ports. Think of Wovar, BPZ, The Urban Woods, Groningen Seaports and Grassland.
Getting started with AI
Where do you start with AI in your business?
Not with a tool, but with where your business is heading: your ambition, mission, vision and strategy. From there you map and improve your processes. You capture all of it, among other places in the MyStekz portal, as a living blueprint of your business. With that context you build software that truly fits, and agents understand the environment they operate in.
What is MyStekz and why do you start there?
MyStekz is a living blueprint of your business: your ambition, mission, vision and strategy, plus how you work and which systems and data you already have. That context is the basis for everything you build, because software only truly fits when it knows where your business is heading. And AI agents can only work independently when they understand that full context.
How do you approach an AI implementation in an SME?
In small, logical steps instead of one big project. You start with your business direction and processes, and within that pick one concrete bottleneck to build and measure. What works, we scale up. We guide that from A to Z, as a partner and not a supplier.
What is agentic AI and how do you build an AI agent?
Agentic AI is software that carries out tasks on its own within your processes, like a digital colleague. To work well, an agent must first understand your context: your goals, your processes and your current systems. We map that together first. With BEP (bep.expert) we build agents that connect to it and take over real work.
Which process should you automate first?
The one with lots of manual work, recurring errors or unreliable data, or that simply costs the most time. One concrete bottleneck first, not everything at once. That keeps it manageable and the result measurable.
AI & the intelligent business
What is an intelligent business?
Not just software, data and AI, but also your people, processes and roles working smartly and partly in a standardized way, as one layer over your existing systems. A living blueprint of where you are heading and how you work is captured, among other places in the MyStekz portal, and on top of it AI agents take over the repetitive work. So you decide on current data instead of scattered islands.
What is AI automation?
AI automation means AI carries out tasks within your processes itself, instead of you programming rules for every step. On the intelligent layer over your existing systems, AI takes over manual work and supports decisions with current data.
What is agentic AI?
Agentic AI is software that carries out tasks on its own within your processes, like a digital colleague. With BEP (bep.expert) we build agents that connect to the systems you already have and take over real work, not just generate text.
What is the difference between generative AI and agentic AI?
Generative AI produces content on request, such as text or images. Agentic AI carries out tasks on its own within your processes and systems: retrieving data, checking it and triggering actions. In an intelligent business you combine both.
What can AI do for my business?
AI for businesses, in our approach, is not a separate tool or AI solution next to your systems, but an intelligent layer that removes manual work and supports decisions with current data. You start with your business direction and processes, captured in MyStekz, then pick one concrete bottleneck and build small and measurable. That way AI grows with your business.
Automating processes
What is process automation?
Process automation means software takes over recurring steps in your business process, so work runs without manual intervention. We start with where your business is heading, map your processes together, among other places in the MyStekz portal, and automate specifically where it saves the most time or errors.
Which business processes can you automate?
Think of order processing, invoicing, planning, reporting and data exchange between systems. We start with the process that has lots of manual work or recurring errors, connect your existing systems and build small and measurable.
How do you automate processes?
You start with where your business is heading and map your processes together, among other places in the MyStekz portal. Within that we pick one workflow to automate: software takes over the recurring steps and connects your systems. Start small, measure, and expand what works.
What does business process automation cost?
Costs depend on complexity and scope. We always start with a free consultation to identify the biggest opportunities. After that, you receive a clear proposal with fixed pricing.
How long does an automation project take?
We are your partner towards an intelligent business, so a collaboration often runs longer. But you see results fast: we take small, logical steps in a landscape that changes quickly and keeps getting more complex. Each step makes the next one logical, and you can stop or adjust at any time.
Can I connect my existing systems?
Yes, we integrate with all common systems: ERP, CRM, accounting software, e-commerce platforms and more. We build custom integrations if they don't exist yet.
Is automation suitable for SMEs?
Absolutely. The impact is greatest in SMEs. Smaller teams benefit enormously from automating time-consuming tasks. We build scalable solutions that grow with you.
Custom software
What is custom software?
Custom software, also called bespoke software, is software we build around where your business is heading and how you work, instead of an off-the-shelf package you have to adapt to. We first capture that direction and your processes, among other places in the MyStekz portal, so the software truly fits, connects to the systems you already have and grows with you. The result is higher adoption and fewer workarounds.
What does it cost to have software or an app built?
The investment depends on scope and complexity, whether it is a custom application or a larger platform. After a free intake meeting you receive a clear proposal with fixed prices per phase, so no surprises afterwards. We start small so you see value fast before investing further.
What is the difference between custom and off-the-shelf software?
Off-the-shelf software requires you to adapt to the software. Custom software adapts to your processes. The result: higher adoption, fewer workarounds and better results.
How long does custom software development take?
We usually deliver the first working version in 4-8 weeks. We work iteratively: you see results fast and we build step by step based on feedback.
Can I keep my existing systems?
Yes, that is exactly the starting point. We build the intelligent layer around your existing systems. ERP, CRM, accounting software: everything gets connected.
Working with Stekz
How does working with Stekz work?
As a partner, not a supplier. We start low-threshold with a trial partnership in which we deliver the first features from your roadmap. If it works, we continue in a fixed partnership with a fixed monthly fee. You start small, we prove our value first, and you can stop at any time.
What does working with Stekz cost?
A fixed monthly fee instead of surprises afterwards. For that we deliver functionalities and milestones from your roadmap together. You scale up or down yourself, and we start small so you see results before investing further.
Can I scale up and down?
Yes, you set the pace. Need more? We scale up. Quieter period? We scale down. No long-term commitments, and you can stop at any time.
Do you start with a big project right away?
No. We take small, logical steps: first mapping your process together, among other places in the MyStekz portal, then the right things first from a prioritized roadmap. Each step makes the next one logical, value first.
Question not listed?
Book a free meeting. We answer all your questions and look together at what Stekz can do for your business.