How do you calculate automation ROI?

Automation ROI = (Annual savings from automation × 3 years − Build cost) ÷ Build cost × 100. Annual savings come from multiplying hours saved by your hourly labor rate. Hours saved = monthly task volume × minutes per task × 12 months × automation rate. This calculator runs that math for you.

What is a good payback period for automation?

Most automation investments pay back in 6–18 months. Invoice processing and data entry automation typically pay back fastest — often under 8 months — because the volume is high and the labor cost is clear. Complex document review or AI-driven workflows may take 12–24 months depending on build complexity.

How much does business process automation cost?

A focused automation build for one process (invoice extraction, approval routing, report generation) typically costs $15,000–$60,000. Multi-process or AI-driven automation platforms range from $50,000–$150,000. This calculator uses benchmarks from 100+ RaftLabs automation projects.

What processes are best suited for automation?

Processes with high volume, consistent rules, and structured data inputs return the strongest ROI. Invoice processing, data entry, report generation, and customer support triage are the most common starting points. Avoid automating processes with high variability, complex judgment calls, or low monthly volume.

What is a realistic automation rate to expect?

For well-structured processes like invoice matching or data entry, 80–90% automation is achievable. Customer support triage reaches 60–75% (complex tickets still need humans). Document review with AI assistance averages 70–85%. This calculator defaults to 80% — adjust it based on your process complexity.

How do you calculate automation ROI?

Automation ROI = (Annual savings from automation × 3 years − Build cost) ÷ Build cost × 100. Annual savings come from multiplying hours saved by your hourly labor rate. Hours saved = monthly task volume × minutes per task × 12 months × automation rate. This calculator runs that math for you.

What is a good payback period for automation?

Most automation investments pay back in 6–18 months. Invoice processing and data entry automation typically pay back fastest — often under 8 months — because the volume is high and the labor cost is clear. Complex document review or AI-driven workflows may take 12–24 months depending on build complexity.

How much does business process automation cost?

A focused automation build for one process (invoice extraction, approval routing, report generation) typically costs $15,000–$60,000. Multi-process or AI-driven automation platforms range from $50,000–$150,000. This calculator uses benchmarks from 100+ RaftLabs automation projects.

What processes are best suited for automation?

Processes with high volume, consistent rules, and structured data inputs return the strongest ROI. Invoice processing, data entry, report generation, and customer support triage are the most common starting points. Avoid automating processes with high variability, complex judgment calls, or low monthly volume.

What is a realistic automation rate to expect?

For well-structured processes like invoice matching or data entry, 80–90% automation is achievable. Customer support triage reaches 60–75% (complex tickets still need humans). Document review with AI assistance averages 70–85%. This calculator defaults to 80% — adjust it based on your process complexity.

Automation ROI Calculator

Find out what your manual processes cost — and what automation saves.

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100% free
~3 min

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Your process

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Which process do you want to automate?

How it works

Calculates annual manual hours and cost from process volume, task duration, and labor rate. Applies your target automation rate to project savings. Compares against realistic build cost ranges — sourced from 100+ RaftLabs automation projects — to show payback period and 3-year net ROI.

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Frequently asked questions

: Automation ROI = (Annual savings from automation × 3 years − Build cost) ÷ Build cost × 100. Annual savings come from multiplying hours saved by your hourly labor rate. Hours saved = monthly task volume × minutes per task × 12 months × automation rate. This calculator runs that math for you.
: Most automation investments pay back in 6–18 months. Invoice processing and data entry automation typically pay back fastest — often under 8 months — because the volume is high and the labor cost is clear. Complex document review or AI-driven workflows may take 12–24 months depending on build complexity.
: A focused automation build for one process (invoice extraction, approval routing, report generation) typically costs $15,000–$60,000. Multi-process or AI-driven automation platforms range from $50,000–$150,000. This calculator uses benchmarks from 100+ RaftLabs automation projects.
: Processes with high volume, consistent rules, and structured data inputs return the strongest ROI. Invoice processing, data entry, report generation, and customer support triage are the most common starting points. Avoid automating processes with high variability, complex judgment calls, or low monthly volume.
: For well-structured processes like invoice matching or data entry, 80–90% automation is achievable. Customer support triage reaches 60–75% (complex tickets still need humans). Document review with AI assistance averages 70–85%. This calculator defaults to 80% — adjust it based on your process complexity.