Every software vendor we use is pitching us their new AI-powered add-on features for an extra monthly fee. How do we evaluate whether these native software AI upgrades actually add operational value or if they are just expensive technical theater?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Software companies are rushing to add AI labels to every feature to justify price increases. As an owner, you must cut through this technical theater and evaluate these upgrades purely on operational business value.

First, identify the specific bottleneck you are trying to solve. Do not buy a feature just because it looks modern. Look at your weekly Scorecard. If you do not have an active issue related to the speed or cost of a process, you do not need to pay for an AI upgrade to fix it.

Second, evaluate the upgrade using the GWC™ framework. Does your team actually have the capacity and desire to learn and use this new feature, or will it become unused shelf-ware that drains your cash?

Third, request a short-term trial and measure the hard financial ROI. If a vendor claims their AI tool will save your account managers five hours a week, track that saved time. If that saved time is not reallocated to high-value activities that show up on your P&L, the upgrade is not worth the cost.

Never purchase AI for AI's sake. Keep your tech stack lean, focused, and directly tied to the measurable goals on your V/TO®.