Business & Workflow Automation

Streamline operations, reduce costs, and focus on what matters most.
Ready to stop wasting hours on repetitive tasks and start focusing on what actually grows your business? Well, you're in luck! We don't just set up basic automation tools. We're a team of automation specialists who build smart, high-performing systems that actually work for your business. If you're over the manual route and want professional automation without the enterprise-sized price tag, you've found the right team.
An overview of an automation taking data from Capsule CRM and Harvest and creating an invoice in Xero - made by Sidebar.

Why your business needs automation

Running a business shouldn't feel like you're constantly fighting fires. Every hour you spend on manual data entry, following up leads, or processing routine tasks is time you can't spend with customers, developing new products, or planning for growth.

Business automation isn't just about saving time, though you'll save heaps of that. It's about creating consistent processes that work perfectly every time, reducing human error, and giving your team the freedom to focus on the work that actually moves your business forward. When your systems talk to each other seamlessly, magic happens. Customer inquiries get responded to instantly, invoices get sent automatically, and your team spends their days on meaningful work instead of mind-numbing repetition.
  • Eliminate hours of manual data entry and administrative tasks that drain your team's productivity
  • Automated systems don't make human mistakes, protecting your reputation and reducing costly corrections
  • Deliver faster responses and consistent service that keeps customers coming back
  • Spend less time on manual processes while lowering your overall operational expenses
  • Handle increased volume without hiring additional staff as your business grows
  • Integrated systems provide clearer data for smarter decision-making
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What we can automate for businesses like yours

Our comprehensive business automation services are meticulously designed and tailored specifically for the unique operational challenges and regulatory requirements that New Zealand companies face in today's competitive market:
Real estate
Automated lead nurturing sequences, property listing syndication, client follow-ups, and document generation. Turn inquiries into qualified prospects without lifting a finger.
Manufacturing
Inventory management, order processing, quality control reporting, and supply chain coordination. Keep production flowing smoothly with minimal manual intervention.
Professional services
Client onboarding workflows, appointment scheduling, proposal generation, and time tracking integration. Deliver consistent service while reducing administrative overhead.
Retail & ecommerce
Order fulfillment automation, customer service chatbots, inventory alerts, and abandoned cart recovery sequences. Maximize sales while minimizing manual work.
Healthcare
Patient appointment reminders, insurance verification, billing automation, and treatment follow-up sequences. Focus on patient care, not paperwork.
Construction
Project scheduling, material ordering, safety compliance tracking, and client progress updates. Keep projects on track and clients informed automatically.
Hospitality
Booking confirmations, guest communication sequences, review management, and maintenance scheduling. Deliver exceptional guest experiences consistently.
Finance
Client onboarding, compliance documentation, risk assessment workflows, and automated reporting. Maintain accuracy while serving more clients efficiently.

Our proven automation process

We've refined our approach over hundreds of automation projects with Kiwi businesses. No guesswork, no surprises – just a straightforward process that gets you from manual chaos to smooth-running systems that actually work.
Discovery
We sit down for a proper chat about your current processes, pain points, and goals. No fancy consultancy jargon – just honest conversation about where automation can make the biggest difference.
Strategy
We map out your ideal automated workflows, identifying the best opportunities for time and cost savings. Every recommendation comes with clear explanations of the expected benefits.
Integration
Our team builds your custom automation solutions, connecting your existing tools and creating new workflows that actually work in the real world, not just on paper.
Refinement
We thoroughly test everything to ensure it works perfectly before going live. No surprises, no crashes – just smooth-running systems that do what they're supposed to do.
Launch
Your automations will go live, we'll train your team on the new systems and provide ongoing support. You'll know exactly how everything works and have help whenever you need it.

Why choose Sidebar?

Trusted expertise built right here in New Zealand. We create custom solutions tailored to your business needs, with all development done locally by our Christchurch team. From consultation to ongoing support, we're your dedicated AI & web partner.

Local experts

Christchurch-based specialists serving all of New Zealand. We understand Kiwi business culture and with years of proven experience and no overseas outsourcing, our team is the local expertise you can trust.

Custom-built solutions

Every project we build is specifically for your business, no templates or generic software. Bespoke automation, voice agents, and intelligent systems designed to match your exact workflows and requirements.

Complete partnership

Your dedicated partner from consultation to ongoing support. All development stays in New Zealand with full transparency. We build, deploy, support, maintain, and expand your solutions as your business grows.

Answers to your automation questions!

Here are the questions we get asked most about automation, along with our straight-up answers.

How long does it take to implement business automation?

Most automation projects take 2-6 weeks depending on complexity and scope. Simple workflows can be up and running in days, while comprehensive systems take longer. We'll give you realistic timelines upfront and keep you updated throughout the process.

Will automation replace my staff?

Not at all! Automation handles the boring, repetitive tasks so your team can focus on meaningful work that requires human creativity and judgment. Most businesses find they can grow without hiring additional admin staff once automation is in place.

What if my current systems can't integrate?

We're experienced at connecting systems that weren't designed to work together. Whether through APIs, middleware, or custom solutions, we'll find a way to make your tools communicate effectively with minimal disruption.

How much does business automation cost?

Investment varies based on your specific needs and the complexity of your workflows. Most businesses see positive ROI within 3-6 months through time savings and improved efficiency. We'll provide transparent pricing after understanding your requirements.

What happens if something breaks?

We provide ongoing monitoring and support for all automation systems we build. Most issues are caught and resolved before you even notice them. When problems do occur, we fix them quickly to minimise any disruption.

Can I start small and expand later?

Absolutely! We often recommend starting with your biggest pain points and expanding from there. This lets you see immediate benefits while building confidence in the automation approach before tackling more complex processes.

Do you provide training for my team?

Yes, comprehensive training is included with every automation project. We ensure your team understands how everything works and can manage day-to-day operations confidently. Ongoing support is always available when needed.

See what others are saying:

I'm very impressed with Sidebar, their service is consistently excellent whenever I need help. My site experienced zero downtime and loads much quicker than previously, which has helped drastically with user experience. Their customer service is fantastic, responses are quick and are genuinely helpful resolving any questions I have. I wholeheartedly recommend them for anything website related!
Rebecca
GeekHQ
My site was painfully slow, and my hosting provider was useless. Sidebar offered dedicated hosting for barely more than I was paying for shared hosting, and migrated me across. The speed improvements impressed me – way beyond what I expected. And Lane's a genuinely nice guy who's super responsive, and always generous with his time and advice. I'd absolutely recommend them.
Lisa
Copy By Kudo
Working with Sidebar on our custom dashboard was a great experience. They integrated all our existing applications and created a central hub that changed how we operate across our group of companies. Their team was very collaborative, skilled at solving problems, and full of fresh ideas that really improved our vision. We couldn't be happier with the results!
Mitchell
Optimus Group
The biggest challenge you helped us solve was ensuring our website remained functional, up to date, and aligned with our goals - something we didn't have the in-house expertise to manage effectively. What you delivered that exceeded our expectations was your ongoing support. That kind of follow-through is rare and really appreciated. We would absolutely recommend you and your company to anyone needing a website, support with an existing one.
Louise
SAM Property
I moved my webhosting late 2024 and after 6 months something wasn't working right. I meet Lane at Sidebar and then he worked his magic!! I say that because in the 6 weeks or so since Sidebar has been hosting my website, business has taken off - Literally. Like turbo charged. Lane says he only did what should have been done. But he knows what needs to be done and completed the change over without fuss. Thank you!!
Rob
BuildQual NZ
We recently worked with Lane for our new website build. From the moment he came in for the initial meeting, I knew he was the right man for the job. He is extremely knowledgeable, professional and efficient. The website is now complete and looks amazing. If anyone I know is ever needed a website build or update, I will have no hesitation in recommending Lane & Sidebar to complete this job. One of the best in the business.
Sean
Collinson Forex

Get started today with a free discovery call!

Book in a chat with one of our automation experts and we'll assess your current processes, identify automation opportunities and calculate your potential time and cost savings.
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