Nico Röpnack · March 2026 · 5 min read
Manual processes don't just cost time. They cost growth. Every hour your team spends on copy-paste, manual status updates, and Excel cascades is an hour that isn't spent on decisions, customers, and projects.
The problem
What manual processes
really cost a company
The obvious costs are working time and error rates. The hidden costs are slow decisions, lack of transparency, and the inability to scale.
TIME LOSS
of working hours in office jobs are spent on repetitive, automatable tasks (McKinsey Global Institute)
ERROR RATE
At least one material error is found in the spreadsheets (EuSpRIG study)
GROWTH SLOWDOWN
Companies with automated core processes scale faster than manually managed businesses.
Our approach
From analytics
to continuous automation
Process automation does not fail because of the technology. It fails because the wrong technology is chosen for the wrong process. Our 4-step approach prevents exactly that.
01
Step 01
process analysis
We identify which processes can be automated, what potential they offer, and where automation does more harm than good.
02
Step 02
Tool recommendation
Smartsheet, n8n, or KNIME: We make recommendations based on your processes, IT infrastructure, and data protection requirements.
03
Step 03
implementation
We build the workflows, set up the integrations, and test them against your real process data, not demo data.
04
Step 04
Training & Handover
Your teams learn to understand, maintain, and further develop the automations. No black-box system that only we can operate.
Our stack
Three tools
a complete automation stack
Smartsheet
Process and project management
Database, workflows, approval processes, dashboards. As a Smartsheet Gold Partner, we implement complex setups for everything from portfolio management to operational processes.
n8n
workflow automation
Triggers, data transfer, system integrations. Self-hosted for complete data control. No task limits, no vendor lock-in. Ideal for GDPR-sensitive processes.
KNIME
Data analysis & AI workflows
When data analysis and AI models are part of the process. KNIME connects raw data with intelligent processing without requiring an enterprise AI license.
practical example
FEW Automotive Group
Automation across three continents
FEW Automotive Group had approval processes that spanned three continents, were Excel-based, lacked a unified status overview, and had turnaround times of 2 to 3 weeks. After implementing LHC with Smartsheet and n8n as the automation layer:
Approval process turnaround time
Continents, a process standard
Manual status updates required
"What used to take weeks can now be done in days. Transparency across all projects has fundamentally changed the quality of our decision-making."
Konstantin Gross, Head of Digital Products & Services, Manufacturing — Read reference →
For whom
Process Automation
Who Benefits
Industries
- Manufacturing & Automotive
- Medical technology & pharmaceuticals
- Logistics & Supply Chain
- Professional Services
- Public sector & NGOs
Typical processes
- Approval and authorization processes
- Project and portfolio reporting
- Onboarding and offboarding
- supplier management
- Quality assurance & audits
initial situation
- Processes run in Excel
- Status inquiries via email
- No uniform reporting
- Growth slows down existing processes
- GDPR requirements not met
Self-check: Do you have a need for automation?
Do your employees spend more than 30 minutes a day manually transferring data between systems?
Are decisions being delayed because status information is not available in real time?
Are errors in your processes only noticed once they have already impacted customers or projects?
Are your internal processes not scaling with the growth of your company?
Two or more yes answers? Then you have measurable automation potential.
Why External Consulting
What a professional
process automation consulting firm offers
In-house teams know what needs to be automated. What they lack is a structured approach, the necessary technical expertise, and the time to ensure a smooth implementation. This is exactly where our consulting services come in.
Step 1
Independent analysis
We analyze your existing processes without favoring any particular vendor. Our consulting services are tool-agnostic: Smartsheet, n8n, or KNIME—whichever your processes require.
Step 2
Implementation with your team
Our consulting services don’t end with the concept. We implement the solutions together with your employees to ensure that the knowledge remains embedded within your organization.
Step 3
Measurable results
Every automation consulting project is measured against specific KPIs: turnaround time, error rate, and man-hours. No consulting without results.
Typical results of our consulting projects: a 60–85% reduction in manual data entry, lead times reduced from weeks to days, and approval processes that escalate automatically. These are not just promises, but documented results from completed projects such as FEW Automotive, Bayer, and McLaren Racing.
Next step
Process automation that really works
In a free initial consultation, we analyze your processes and show you specifically where automation has the greatest impact.
Schedule a free initial consultation
Or: Start a potential analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Process Automation Consulting
How much does process automation consulting cost?
The cost of a consultation depends on the scope of the automation project. Basic analysis and implementation of a single workflow typically starts with a one-day workshop. We bill comprehensive process automation projects involving multiple system integrations and training on a time-and-materials basis. Get started for free: Request a potential analysis.
How does LHC differ from other process automation consulting firms?
We don’t just implement solutions—we train your team. Every consulting service includes documentation and knowledge transfer, so that your automation solutions can be further developed in-house. Furthermore, we specialize in small and medium-sized businesses in the manufacturing and automotive sectors across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, not in large corporations with enterprise-level budgets.
Which processes are best suited for automation?
Processes with a high frequency of repetition, clear rules, and measurable effort are ideal: approval processes, status reports, data transfers between systems, notifications, and planning updates. Processes that involve a high degree of discretion or creativity are less suitable for full automation but work well when supported by workflow tools.
