An AI agent for business is software that does more than answer: it carries out real work. One agent that knows your projects, works in your tools, and completes tasks from start to finish, with people checking the results. Start small: one workflow, one pilot, supported by Voltti.
This comparison covers a chat-only setup without connected tools. ChatGPT also offers agent features; its capabilities depend on the product and configuration.
Reads files, runs scripts, and edits code through a task, then checks the result.
Works with the projects and folders you make available. Retrieves context so you do not have to explain it all again.
Web search, scripts, and selected integrations, within the permissions you set.
Use Hermes Desktop yourself, or work as a team through a supported channel you already use, such as Telegram, Slack, Discord, or WhatsApp.
An open-source AI agent developed by Nous Research. Hermes carries out tasks using the tools and supported channels you connect, with people reviewing its work. Curious how that differs from a chatbot? Read the 7 differences between an AI agent and a chatbot.
| Capability | Cloud chat | AI agent |
|---|---|---|
| Does real work | Returns text for you to act on | Yes — Reads files, runs scripts, and edits code through a task, then checks the result. |
| Knows your projects | File access requires uploads or connections | Yes — Works with the projects and folders you make available. Retrieves context so you do not have to explain it all again. |
| Uses your tools | Context depends on the conversation and settings | Yes — Web search, scripts, and selected integrations, within the permissions you set. |
| Works through your channels | You work in the chat interface | Yes — Use Hermes Desktop yourself, or work as a team through a supported channel you already use, such as Telegram, Slack, Discord, or WhatsApp. |
AI agents for business are already here: by October 2024, 100,000 organizations were building them with Copilot Studio (CIO). In 2025, 19.95 percent of European companies with ten or more employees used AI, up from 13.5 percent in 2024 (Eurostat). Voltti sets up the working environment an agent needs, and people check the work.
Prepare or carry out recurring tasks using saved procedures instead of explaining the same steps each time.
Find and summarize business information so your team has the context it needs to make decisions.
Bring the relevant projects, documents, and tools into an environment Hermes can work with.
Build pages, edit content, and review code, with people checking the work.
Find information, summarize it, and prepare it for the next step.
Review projects, prepare changes, and deliver work for review.
Checks and follow-ups that come back every week.
A short call to discuss time-consuming work and whether Hermes fits the task.
Together, choose one specific task that makes the pilot useful.
Install Hermes on the chosen system and configure projects and access.
Help the team get started, review the results after 2 to 4 weeks, and decide what comes next together.
Every quote consists of 3 parts: one-time installation, support, and your own model usage. Installation and pilot costs depend on the hardware, onboarding, and integrations you need. Support is based on a custom quote. You pay model usage through your own provider account. We explain the costs during the introductory call. Read more about what an AI agent costs, per cost category.
Usually 2 to 4 weeks from the first conversation to evaluation. In that period we choose one workflow together, install Hermes on the system you choose, and your team runs the first tasks. The timeline mostly depends on your team's availability. See the four steps of the approach for the exact setup.
No. If you work alone, you can use Hermes Desktop on your workstation. Teams can work through a supported channel they already use, such as Telegram, Slack, Discord, or Buzz. Voltti provides onboarding and explains the workflow.
We select integrations around your use case and give them only the permissions the task needs — nothing more. Think of a CRM for customer data, a CMS for content, project management software, or shared document sources. More about which business processes suit AI automation.
Yes. We recommend starting with one person, one workflow, and Hermes Desktop on a workstation. As more people join, your team can work with Hermes through a supported channel you already use. Read how the Voltti pilot works step by step. Would you rather have it built for you? Read about AI agent development.
Yes, as the default setup. Hermes runs on a computer in your own network and uses only the integrations you approve, with minimal permissions. Encrypted backups go to a separate location in your network, not to the node itself. Which provider you use for external model usage is your choice. Read more about security and privacy at Voltti.
A chatbot answers in a chat window; doing the work stays with you. An AI agent has access to your projects and tools, carries out tasks within agreed limits, and keeps context between sessions. Read the 7 differences between an AI agent and a chatbot for the full comparison.
A copy-ready briefing in seven questions: task, sources, output, rights, boundaries, acceptance tests and ownership. Fill it in before your pilot.
What an AI agent can do in customer service: first-line support, triage, and follow-up, with a clear escalation path to your team.
Three cost categories, eight price factors, and a quote checklist: how to compare AI agent quotes on the same scope. Always a custom quote.
Your own AI assistant for business? Compare four DIY options, learn to install Hermes, and see when outsourcing with support makes sense.
AI agent or chatbot? Compare 7 differences, costs, and a decision table to work out which capabilities your business needs.
What is an AI agent? Get a jargon-free definition, see how it turns instructions into results, and learn what it can do for your business.
