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Process Automation ROI Calculator
Before you buy another tool or brief a developer, check whether the automation pays off. Describe the task as it is done today and what the automation will cost, and get a realistic payback period.
Results
Pays back within a year with these assumptions.
- Payback period
- 3.0 months
- Net savings per year
- $11,808
- Hours saved per month
- 25.2
- Hours saved per year
- 302
- Net savings per month
- $984after software and maintenance
- 3-year ROI
- 386%net benefit over 3 years vs. all costs
- Gross time value per year
- $13,608
- Running cost per year
- $1,800
Hours saved = occurrences per month × minutes × automated share ÷ 60. Net monthly savings = hours saved × hourly cost − software − maintenance hours × hourly cost. Payback = setup cost ÷ net monthly savings.
How it works
Enter how often the task happens and how many minutes it takes each time, including checks.
Use a loaded hourly cost: salary plus overheads, not just the hourly wage.
Estimate the share of the work the automation will really take over; exceptions often stay manual.
Add the one-time setup cost, monthly software fees and the hours you expect for maintenance.
Read the payback period and 3-year ROI, then try more conservative assumptions to test the result.
FAQ
How do I calculate the ROI of automation?
Multiply the hours saved by a loaded hourly cost to get the value of the time, subtract running costs such as software and maintenance, and compare the result with the setup cost. This calculator does that for one month, one year and three years.
What is a good payback period for automation?
That depends on your cash position and how stable the process is. Many small businesses prefer projects that pay back within a year, because processes and tools change.
Does saved time really save money?
Only if the freed-up time is used for something valuable or avoids extra hiring or overtime. Treat the result as the value of the time, and plan what the team will do with it.
Which costs are often forgotten?
Maintenance when connected apps change, handling exceptions, documentation and training, and the time of the person who owns the automation.
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