Service first · products second

Diagnose the revenue-blocking line before you buy automation or an AI agent

I am AI Business Consultant Larry Lo / InnovateXP. We sell the service path first: diagnosis → delivery package. Products are optional after the workflow is clear. ERP backend is yours to choose — Notion is not mandatory.

Diagnose first. If you should not buy a system yet, I will say so.

Why not lead with Hermes / a local 35B model?

Hermes is an AI agent (brain), not an ERP. Most Hong Kong SMEs are fine with n8n + chosen ERP + a cloud LLM API. Local 35B-class models need ~24GB+ VRAM, a privacy need, and enough volume. Uncensored models are not the default commercial brain.

When Hermes + a local model is worth it

✅ Fit

  • GPU ~24GB+ VRAM (or willingness to rent)
  • Privacy / data-residency requirement
  • High daily volume where API fees exceed GPU cost
  • A maintainer (managed by us or their DevOps)

❌ Don’t

  • Tiny VPS only — use cloud API
  • Form→DB only — plain n8n
  • Need zero-maintenance SLA — managed API
  • Small SME, low queries — API is cheaper
  • Strict audit needs — don’t default to uncensored

Uncensored variants are for internal R&D or signed waiver. Commercial default: official Qwen / mature tool-calling models with logging.

ERP backend: client chooses

“You pick the ERP backend; I connect n8n (and optional AI). Notion is one option.”

  • Google Sheets

    Tiny teams, Excel-native

  • Airtable

    Light CRM + inventory

  • Baserow / NocoDB

    Self-host, avoid SaaS lock-in

  • Notion

    Non-technical teams, polished UI

  • ERPNext

    Real inventory / accounting / PO

  • PostgreSQL + Admin UI

    Fully custom

Why this advice is trustworthy (E-E-A-T)

Experience

Founder-led delivery from diagnosis through adoption reviews on Day 30/60/90 — not report-and-leave.

Expertise

14 years of IT delivery across WhatsApp/Excel ops, n8n orchestration, and optional private AI trade-offs.

Authoritativeness

InnovateXP Limited (Hong Kong) with consistent brand citations across the site, llms.txt, cases, and LinkedIn.

Trustworthiness

Published ladder, ERP choice, clear “don’t sell” rules for private GPU/uncensored models, and reachable privacy policy.

Delivery packages (quote after diagnosis)

Cold openers always book diagnosis first. Use this ladder after you know the stuck line.

PackageSetupMonthlyIncludesBest for
Automation Lite聽診後報價HK$1,200n8n + ERP of choice + 2 workflows + 1hr trainingForm/notify/sync — no LLMAvoid: They want “AI chat runs the business”
14-day TrialQuoted after diagnosis (once)n8n + HTTPS + ERP lite + 2 workflows; HK$2,000 credit to StarterWant to try firstAvoid: Need real accounting/inventory on day one
Starter (n8n + ERP)HK$12,800HK$1,800Prod n8n (Postgres + backup), up to 5 workflows, WhatsApp/Email, SOPMost HK SMEs after diagnosisAvoid: No ops owner; refuses diagnosis
Automation + AI (Cloud API)HK$12,800–14,800HK$2,500Starter + Hermes (or equivalent) on cloud LLMAI ops without GPU; low–mid volumeAvoid: Strict residency / huge volume
Automation + AI (Private GPU)HK$22,800HK$4,500Self-host model + Hermes + n8n + ERPPrivacy + high volume + GPUAvoid: Tiny VPS; no maintainer
ERPNext add-on+HK$8,800+HK$800Real ERP modulesOutgrew lite ERPAvoid: Still WhatsApp+Excel chaos — diagnose first

Pass-through: VPS ~HK$95/mo, domain, WhatsApp API / LLM tokens, GPU rental if private.

10-question qualifier

Pick Lite / Starter / AI API / Private GPU

Instant recommendation. Does not replace Business Workflow Diagnosis before build.

1. Which line hurts most?
2. Main tools today?
3. AI understanding, or rules only?
4. Can data use public cloud?
5. Daily AI / query volume?
6. GPU ~24GB+ or willing to rent?
7. Lite board vs real ERP?
8. Who owns ops?
9. Budget band?
10. Urgency?

FAQ (same answers for SERP and sales)

Do we need to buy a CRM/ERP first?

Usually no. Fix ownership and follow-up rhythm first. Book a 30-min diagnosis — I’ll say if you shouldn’t buy.

Is Notion required?

No. Sheets / Airtable / Notion / Baserow / ERPNext — your choice. Process and automation matter more than the SaaS logo.

Can we try first?

Yes. 14-day trial quoted after diagnosis, with credit toward Starter. Diagnosis still happens before build.

We need a private AI agent / data residency?

Most SMEs are fine on cloud API. Private GPU is the exception path when GPU + volume + compliance align. Uncensored is not default.

Is Hermes an ERP?

No. Hermes is the agent layer (tools, files, n8n triggers). ERP is the data layer and is swappable.

How is this different from HK$2.8k–6.8k automation offers?

Price bands can look similar. Differentiation is adoption, Day 30/60/90 reviews, and fixing a revenue-blocking line — not install-and-leave.

Next step

Book a diagnosis to confirm the revenue-blocking line, then choose Lite / Starter / AI API / Private GPU. Product pages are landing options — not a substitute for advisory.