PIPELINEGuide
Process automation: taking advantage of subsidies in Austria
For digitalization projects like process automation, there are several funding programs in Austria. Which ones apply, which deadlines to watch for, and where the most common mistake lies.
For digitalization projects, there are several funding programs in Austria, such as KMU.DIGITAL or the aws digitalization subsidy. Whether and to what extent one of these currently applies to your project, we'll review individually with you. Current terms: kmudigital.at, aws.at. In any case, the order is critical: first the approved application, then the contract for process automation.
01 — Funding
Subsidies in Austria
For digitalization projects, there are several funding programs in Austria, such as KMU.DIGITAL or the aws digitalization funding. Whether and to what extent one of these is currently relevant for your project, we'll review with you individually. Current conditions: kmudigital.at, aws.at.
Which program is relevant, how high the subsidy currently is, and whether the budget for the current funding period is still open changes regularly — plus there are regional funding programs that vary by federal state. Only the information from the funding agencies themselves is reliable, not a fixed percentage stated here.
The most common mistake is always the same: commission first, then want funding. That doesn't work. Allow several weeks of lead time for application and approval.
02 — Price
What it costs
- Price
- Individual based on effort
- Typical duration
- 3 to 6 weeks
Per workflow; typical projects include three to five workflows. A fixed price can only be quoted seriously after the initial conversation — send us a brief description of your project, and we'll send you a proposal that fits the scope and effort.
03 — Process
How a funding application works
Check funding program
Which program fits the project and company size. This determines the subsidy amount and effort.
Obtain quote
A quote is usually required for the application — commissioning does not happen yet.
Submit application
Submission with project description, cost breakdown and schedule.
Wait for approval
Only after approval is the commission placed. If you commission earlier, you lose the funding.
Implement and settle accounts
After completion, final accounting with supporting documents follows.
04 — Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do we lose control over our processes?
On the contrary: An automated process is fully documented and logged for the first time. You see every run. Before, only the person who always did it knew.
Are there subsidies for this?
For digitalization projects in Austria, there are several funding programs, such as KMU.DIGITAL or the aws digitalization funding (kmudigital.at, aws.at). Whether and to what extent this currently fits your situation, we check together — important: The application must be approved before the contract is awarded. Plan lead time for this.
What if our processes change?
Then the workflows are adjusted. We build them so that the variable parts — text blocks, recipients, thresholds — are in a table that you maintain yourself, without needing us.
How quickly does it pay off?
For the processes we typically start with, payback is between four and ten months. We calculate that before the quote, not after.
What happens to the people who used to do this?
In practice, a position rarely disappears — the part of the work that nobody liked disappears. The time goes into things there was never time for before.
How do we know what's worth automating?
Rule of thumb: A process is worth it if it occurs at least weekly, has clear rules and is manual work today. In the current-state analysis, we calculate every candidate — frequency times duration times cost — and you decide based on numbers.
Do we have to buy new software for this?
Usually not. Most of it runs on the systems you already have, plus an automation layer. We only suggest new software if there's a real gap.
05 — Next
Related pages
- Process automation — Overview
- Process automation — Where to start
- Process Automation — Practical Examples
- Process automation — cost-effectiveness
- Process automation — Status 2026
- Process automation — Duration
- Process automation — alternatives
- Process automation — Pros and cons
- AI automation
- CRM integration
- Automate Quote Creation
- All guides
Process automation by region
Next step
Let's talk briefly about whether this makes sense for you.
A twenty-minute conversation is usually enough to clarify whether a project makes sense. If not, we'll say so — that's cheaper for both sides than an offer nobody needs.