Level 1
Puddle
A useful first step.
Acknowledge an inquiry, notify the right person or organize a contact. Usually handled inside Pondo. No website or custom domain is needed for this example scope.
- Build
- $0–$75
- Ongoing
- $0
- Usage
- Possible
Posted by Malkio R
Duck & Shark / Automation & AI
Less chasing. More time for the work that needs you.
A missed call gets a reply. A customer gets a reminder. Your team starts the day with the details already in place. We help you put useful AI and automation to work, starting with the tasks you would most like off your plate.
Start with a job people already repeat.
Reply sooner
Acknowledge a new inquiry, alert the right person and keep the next step from disappearing in a crowded day.
Keep bookings moving
Send timely reminders, collect useful details and stop follow-up when the customer responds.
Prepare the handoff
Move approved information between forms, stages, calendars and staff so the next person begins with context.
Answer repeat questions
Help people find a useful next step while keeping approvals and sensitive decisions with the right human.
One useful step can be enough to begin.
You do not need to automate the whole business at once. We can start with one clear outcome, test it, learn from it and decide what should come next. Browse 75 solution ideas in the library.
Ten levels of build. One clear conversation about what you need.
The names make the range easier to remember. The outcome, dependencies and price decide the right level. Ranges overlap because integrations, approvals, volume and exception handling change the work.
Level 2
Brook
Follow-up that keeps moving.
Missed-call texts, reminders and stopping when someone replies. Usually handled inside Pondo. No website or custom domain is needed for this example scope.
Growth includes two initial Brook level activations- Build
- $0–$350
- Ongoing
- $0
- Usage
- Likely
Level 3
Stream
A smoother handoff.
Forms, bookings, customer stages and invoice reminders working together. Usually handled inside Pondo. No website or custom domain is needed for this example scope.
Pro includes three initial Stream level builds- Build
- $275–$900
- Ongoing
- $0
- Usage
- Likely
Level 4
Pond
An easier path to action.
Booking funnels, a staff work screen or approved social posting. Mostly Pondo. Funnel work may need a page, with an optional branded domain.
Pro and Managed include one internal staff tool at Pond level- Build
- $900–$1,800
- Ongoing
- $49–$199/month
- Usage
- Likely
Level 5
River
Helpful conversations.
Answer common questions, gather details and guide people to the next step. Pondo keeps routing and records connected with the agreed AI components. A website or custom domain is not required by default.
Managed build discounts apply to approved builds above River level (Levels 6–10), when offered- Build
- $1,800–$4,500
- Ongoing
- $99–$399/month
- Usage
- Applies
Level 6
Lake
Follow-up by voice.
Targeted calls to eligible leads or missed appointments, with human handoff. Pondo keeps routing and records connected with the agreed voice components. We confirm consent, calling requirements and where your team takes over.
- Build
- $3,500–$8,000
- Ongoing
- $299–$1,000/month
- Usage
- Applies
Level 7
Bay
More of the transaction handled.
Orders, booking changes, payment links and approval-ready records. Outside tools are commonly involved. Payment actions and accounting updates need explicit approval controls.
- Build
- $8,000–$15,000
- Ongoing
- $500–$1,800/month
- Usage
- Applies
Level 8
Gulf
A coordinated team of helpers.
Move work between specialist assistants and keep track of each handoff. Pondo connects with outside tools where the work calls for them. We agree how each handoff is checked and when a person steps in.
- Build
- $12,000–$22,000
- Ongoing
- $750–$2,500/month
- Usage
- Applies
Level 9
Sea
More of a recurring role handled.
Customer follow-up, support sorting or content production at scale. Outside components are expected. We define the recurring responsibilities, quality checks and human escalation — not a promise that a person's role disappears.
- Build
- $20,000–$40,000
- Ongoing
- $1,500–$4,000/month
- Usage
- Applies
Level 10
Ocean
An end-to-end operating service.
A connected front desk, support or order process, with checks and human escalation. We bring the necessary systems together around the agreed service. Website, domain and infrastructure needs depend on the work and customer experience.
- Build
- Quoted
- Ongoing
- $2,500–$8,000+/month
- Usage
- Applies
Know what you are paying for.
The build ranges help us choose a starting point; they are not automatic checkout quotes. A $0 build or ongoing entry does not mean subscription access or metered usage is free.
- Access
- The Pondocean level and permissions the system needs. Recurring
- The build
- Designing, connecting, testing and launching the work. Quoted
- Ongoing help
- Tuning, monitoring, incident work or operation after launch. Recurring
- Usage
- Messages, calls, AI usage, phone numbers, premium actions and outside services. Variable
We separate these parts before approval and explain any account-level requirement before work begins. We also verify consent, permissions, integration availability and applicable requirements before activation.
See where your time could go further.
Start with the work itself: how often it happens, how many minutes it takes, and how much review will still be needed.
Hours recovered = monthly task volume × minutes avoided ÷ 60 − review and exception time
For example, 300 follow-ups at four minutes each represent 20 hours. If review still takes five hours, that leaves 15 hours of capacity. At an assumed loaded cost of $30 per hour, that is $450 per month of capacity value.
A $40-per-month tool is a separate possible saving only if you can genuinely retire it. These are planning inputs — not promised savings, a payroll reduction or a revenue forecast. Build, ongoing service, usage, training and transition costs still belong in the decision.
Access and build complexity are different choices.
Your Pondocean subscription provides access to tools and features. An automation level describes the work being built. We help you match the two.
Core
Ask AI and compatible templated automation managed as part of the system, rather than customer workflow editing. The general baseline includes one templated automation; specialist and existing agreements may differ.
Growth
Self-service automations, Ari AI, sites, funnels and forms, with eligible quoted custom solutions. Two initial activations help you get started.
Pro
Growth capabilities plus access to custom agents and Communities. Initial implementation includes three builds, the documented templated website and one internal staff tool at .
Managed
Platform access with agreed hands-on operation and tuning. Your written agreement defines capacity and deliverables. Proactive done-for-you service is separately selected unless expressly bundled above the base level.
Ask AI, Ari, support assistance and commissioned custom agents serve different purposes. Access does not itself design, buy, activate or operate a custom agent. See what each option includes · Compare pricing · Explore support and service options
Want your team to get more from AI, too?
AI Enablement is its own service. We help with practical Claude and ChatGPT introductions, organized company knowledge, working routines, governance and the infrastructure your team needs to use AI confidently.
That can include local office AI where it fits. Local hosting still needs proper access controls, updates and support; it is not an automatic compliance certificate.
A clear path from idea to useful work.
- Choose the recurring job or outcome you want help with.
- Look at the information, tools and approvals it depends on.
- Agree the build, running costs and where your team stays involved.
- Build and test with clear handoffs and recovery paths.
- Launch, review what happens and decide what to improve next.
Common questions
Are included builds recurring credits?
No. Growth and Pro allowances are selected during initial setup or upgrade. They do not refill every month or remain banked indefinitely.
Can you connect tools we already use?
Often, but not automatically. We check whether the tools can connect, what information they share, who needs access, what happens when something fails and what the ongoing costs will be.
Does a build run without people?
Not every build should. We agree where someone reviews the work, approves the next step or handles an exception.
Is monitoring included?
Support follows your service and written agreement. Proactive monitoring or ongoing done-for-you work is separately agreed and priced for your service level. It is not automatically included, even with Managed. Your written terms identify any selected or bundled service.
Could I need a different Pondocean option?
Sometimes. Sites, editable workflows, custom agents, Communities and internal tools can depend on account permissions. We explain any required change before activation.
What would you most like off your plate?
Bring us one repeated task or a connected operating problem. We will help you find the smallest useful starting point and show what it takes to run.
Already working with us? We can help you add the next useful piece to your current service, with the approach and any additional cost agreed before work begins.
