AI is not just for large corporations
When many small and medium-sized business owners hear "artificial intelligence," they think of billion-dollar tech companies and science fiction. The reality in 2026 is very different. AI tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and Claude are accessible, affordable and remarkably easy to use — even if you have no technical background.
If your business already runs on Exact Online, you are closer to AI-powered administration than you think. With Ledger Botje, you connect your AI assistant to Exact Online in minutes, giving you instant access to your business data through natural language.
What can AI do for your SMB?
AI is not about replacing your accountant or warehouse staff. It is about making their work faster, easier and less error-prone. Here are the areas where SMBs see the biggest impact:
Administration and bookkeeping
- Check outstanding invoices and payment status in seconds
- Generate revenue overviews and margin reports on demand
- Look up GL account balances and financial transactions instantly
"Show me all invoices from January that are still unpaid." — what used to require navigating five screens in Exact Online now takes one sentence. Read more in our article on what MCP is and how it works.
Inventory management
- Check stock levels across all warehouses
- Identify slow-moving and out-of-stock items
- Create purchase orders to replenish inventory
"Which items are below the reorder point?" — instant overview, instant action.
Customer relationship management
- Look up customer details, order history and contact information
- Create quotations and sales orders through chat
- Track opportunities and manage your sales pipeline
"What has customer De Vries ordered in the past three months?" — answered in seconds, not minutes.
Reporting and insights
- Ask any question about your business data and get an instant answer
- Compare periods, product groups, customers or suppliers
- Spot trends and anomalies without building spreadsheets
"How does this quarter’s revenue compare to the same quarter last year?" — the AI does the analysis for you.
Why 2026 is the year to start
Several developments make this the ideal moment for SMBs to adopt AI:
- MCP has matured — the Model Context Protocol is now supported by all major AI platforms, making integration standardised and reliable
- Costs have dropped — AI subscriptions start at €20/month; Ledger Botje starts at €39/month
- No technical setup — connecting takes under five minutes, with no developer needed
- Your competitors are starting — early adopters already save hours per week and make faster decisions
What does it cost?
Ledger Botje offers two plans designed for SMBs:
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | €39/month | Read access — query data, generate reports, look up information |
| Advanced | €59/month | Read + write access — create orders, book deliveries, manage items |
Both plans include a free 30-day trial. You also need an AI assistant subscription (ChatGPT Plus from €20/month, Copilot from €22/month). For a detailed cost breakdown, see our article on the costs of connecting Exact Online to AI.
3 steps to get started
Step 1: Choose your AI tool
If you are new to AI, we recommend starting with ChatGPT. It has the most intuitive interface and the largest user community. Already using Microsoft 365? Then Copilot integrates seamlessly with your existing tools.
Step 2: Create your Ledger Botje account
Visit the pricing page, choose your plan and connect your Exact Online administration. The OAuth flow means you never share your password.
Step 3: Ask your first question
Open your AI assistant, make sure the MCP connection is active, and type your first question. Start simple:
- "What is the current stock level for our best-selling item?"
- "Show me open sales orders that need to ship this week."
- "Which invoices are overdue?"
For detailed setup instructions, visit the MCP setup page. For inspiration, browse the prompt library or check our 5 tips for AI and Exact Online.
Frequently asked questions from SMB owners
- Is my data safe? — Yes. Ledger Botje uses OAuth 2.1 with PKCE, encrypted connections and never stores your Exact Online password. Your data stays in Exact Online. See our FAQ for more details.
- Do I need a developer? — No. Setup is designed for business owners, not programmers. If you can copy and paste a URL, you can connect.
- Can AI make mistakes? — AI is very accurate for data retrieval and standard operations. For business-critical decisions, always verify the output in Exact Online.
- What if I get stuck? — Our support team is available via the dashboard. We also have a comprehensive FAQ and prompt library to help you get started.
Start your AI journey today
AI is no longer a luxury for large enterprises — it is a practical tool for any SMB running Exact Online. Set up the connection in under five minutes and discover what AI can do for your business. Try it free for 30 days via the pricing page.
Ready to take the next step? Read our complete guide to automating Exact Online with AI, or discover how to generate management reports with AI.