[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":582},["ShallowReactive",2],{"site-config:en":3,"page:\u002Fen\u002Fcompass":84,"articles:\u002Fen\u002Fcompass":95},{"id":4,"title":5,"cta":6,"description":13,"error":14,"extension":20,"footer":21,"labels":45,"locale":72,"logo":73,"meta":75,"navigation":76,"stem":82,"__hash__":83},"site\u002Fen\u002F00.site.yml","evoliq",{"eyebrow":7,"title":8,"description":9,"link":10},"Your next idea","What would you like\nto achieve with AI?","Get to know evoliq. Talk to us about your field and the tasks you would like to tackle with evoliq.",{"label":11,"to":12},"Get in touch","\u002Fen\u002Fcontact","evoliq. Your company AI.",{"title":15,"description":16,"link":17},"This page is unavailable.","Return to evoliq via the homepage.",{"label":18,"to":19},"Back to home","\u002Fen","yml",{"navigation":22,"legal":38},[23,26,29,31,34],{"label":24,"to":25},"Core","\u002Fen\u002Fcore",{"label":27,"to":28},"Industries","\u002Fen\u002Findustries",{"label":30,"to":12},"Contact",{"label":32,"to":33},"Blog","\u002Fen\u002Fcompass",{"label":35,"to":36,"target":37},"LinkedIn","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fin\u002Fphilippbettinger","_blank",[39,42],{"label":40,"to":41},"Privacy","\u002Fen\u002Fpolicies\u002Fprivacy",{"label":43,"to":44},"Legal notice","\u002Fen\u002Fpolicies\u002Fimprint",{"toc":46,"share":47,"shareNetworks":48,"skip":58,"home":59,"navigation":60,"mobileNavigation":61,"openNavigation":62,"closeNavigation":63,"footer":64,"industries":65,"industrySelection":66,"pageContents":67,"readArticle":68,"backBlog":69,"backCases":70,"readingTime":71},"In this article","Share article",[49,52,55],{"label":35,"url":50,"icon":51},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fsharing\u002Fshare-offsite\u002F?url=","i-lucide-arrow-up-right",{"label":53,"url":54,"icon":51},"Facebook","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002Fsharer\u002Fsharer.php?u=",{"label":56,"url":57,"icon":51},"X","https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002Fintent\u002Ftweet?url=","Skip to content","evoliq – Home","Main navigation","Mobile main navigation","Open menu","Close menu","Further information","Industries at a glance","Choose an industry","Jump to","Read article","All articles","All case studies","min read","en",{"src":74,"alt":5},"\u002Fimg\u002Flogo\u002Fevoliq-logo-text-q-black.svg",{},[77,79,80,81],{"label":78,"to":19},"Home",{"label":24,"to":25},{"label":27,"to":28},{"label":30,"to":12},"en\u002F00.site","ez4KORo7VvsdIYBA0TnUVvAgGEYE4ZA7nOohurtFidE",{"id":85,"title":86,"body":87,"capabilities":87,"claims":87,"contact":87,"coreAnimation":87,"coreGraph":87,"coreTeaser":87,"description":88,"extension":20,"faq":87,"featureRow":87,"focusStage":87,"form":87,"header":89,"industryPackage":87,"industryTeaser":87,"meta":90,"name":87,"navigation":91,"note":87,"path":33,"sections":87,"seo":92,"stem":93,"summary":87,"__hash__":94},"pages\u002Fen\u002F04.compass.yml","ai.Compass",null,"The evoliq AI guide. Plain language about AI for SMEs: practical, responsible and on equal terms.",{"eyebrow":32,"title":86,"description":88},{},true,{"title":86,"description":88},"en\u002F04.compass","l0RfetDso3G9XFlqTUcrAh6liaFq33xz_GR_W_-dmhI",[96,340],{"id":97,"title":98,"author":99,"badge":105,"body":108,"date":324,"description":325,"extension":308,"image":326,"meta":328,"navigation":91,"path":331,"readingTime":332,"seo":337,"stem":338,"__hash__":339},"articles\u002Fen\u002Fcompass\u002F02.how-ai-model-size-affects-cost-and-sustainability.md","How does AI model size affect cost and sustainability?",[100],{"name":101,"linkedIn":36,"description":102,"avatar":103},"Philipp Bettinger","I believe in AI solutions that solve specific challenges and work in everyday practice. If you would like to explore what that could mean for your company, I would be happy to talk.",{"src":104},"\u002Fimg\u002Fevoliq-philipp-bettinger.png",{"label":106,"color":107},"Field Notes","neutral",{"type":109,"value":110,"toc":310},"minimark",[111,115,120,123,126,130,133,136,156,161,181,194,198,201,212,215,218,222,225,228,233,236,240,260,264,267,271,274,280,283,286],[112,113,114],"p",{},"Yes, I admit it: at first glance, this topic seems a little “nerdy”. But that is precisely why I think it matters to anyone who wants to do more with AI than try a few prompts. Especially with the wave of AI agents now approaching.",[116,117,119],"h2",{"id":118},"size-does-matter","Size does matter…",[112,121,122],{},"Over the last few months, I have tested many smaller open-source AI models (LLMs), particularly those with fewer parameters. Why does this matter? Because the number of parameters directly determines model size and therefore hardware requirements, energy use and costs. Ultimately, this determines economic viability and sustainability.",[112,124,125],{},"Until now, my view was that larger models produced better results. Reduced, quantised variants never quite convinced me in practice.",[116,127,129],{"id":128},"but-bigger-does-not-always-mean-more-sustainable","…but bigger does not always mean more sustainable",[112,131,132],{},"Until now! Over the last few weeks, I had something of a revelation with Gemma 3. It is an open-source model from Google that looks small on paper but, in my view, delivers very good results. You could call Gemma Gemini's little sister. According to Google, its Chatbot Arena Elo score falls between DeepSeek R1 671B and Llama 4 400B, both models requiring many times more resources.",[112,134,135],{},"In real RAG applications – knowledge management, chatbots and support – Gemma 3 delivers what counts:",[137,138,139,146,151],"ul",{},[140,141,142],"li",{},[143,144,145],"strong",{},"Low energy demand",[140,147,148],{},[143,149,150],{},"Low operating costs",[140,152,153],{},[143,154,155],{},"Reliable performance",[157,158,160],"h3",{"id":159},"a-clear-look-at-costs-and-technology","A clear look at costs and technology",[137,162,163,169,175],{},[140,164,165,168],{},[143,166,167],{},"Costs:"," At the time of writing, one million tokens (input and output, model as a service) with Gemma 3 27B cost around €0.10–€0.20. Llama 3.3 is around €0.50–€0.70. GPT-4o is approximately €2 for input and €10 for output. That is a substantial difference.",[140,170,171,174],{},[143,172,173],{},"Hardware:"," While other leading models require 8, 16 or more high-performance GPUs, Google says Gemma 3 27B can run on a single NVIDIA H100.",[140,176,177,180],{},[143,178,179],{},"Quantisation versus everyday performance:"," Even the Gemma 3 12B QAT model produces very good chat results on my MacBook with an M4 processor.",[112,182,183,184,193],{},"More details from Google: ",[185,186,192],"a",{"className":187,"href":189,"rel":190,"target":37},[188],"text-primary-500","https:\u002F\u002Fdevelopers.googleblog.com\u002Fen\u002Fgemma-3-quantized-aware-trained-state-of-the-art-ai-to-consumer-gpus\u002F",[191],"nofollow","Gemma 3 QAT Models: Bringing state-of-the-Art AI to consumer GPUs",".",[116,195,197],{"id":196},"why-should-anyone-outside-it-care","Why should anyone outside IT care?",[112,199,200],{},"Because AI projects are about more than the technology alone. Key questions include:",[137,202,203,206,209],{},[140,204,205],{},"How much effort and how many resources go into ongoing operations?",[140,207,208],{},"Which models can be integrated cleanly and safely into existing processes, including privacy and data security requirements?",[140,210,211],{},"What does the cost-benefit ratio look like when the model is used in everyday work rather than only in a pilot?",[112,213,214],{},"There is no need to dramatise it: few projects fail because of hardware or energy costs.",[112,216,217],{},"But when an AI-driven application costs €120 per user per month to operate, compared with €2.90 using a more efficient approach, the architecture deserves a closer look. A lean model saves energy and cost and also makes it easier to meet privacy requirements and keep operational effort under control.",[116,219,221],{"id":220},"what-does-this-mean-for-companies","What does this mean for companies?",[112,223,224],{},"“Good enough” is an approach I currently find very promising. With little additional effort, hybrid architectures can make in-house AI solutions significantly more efficient without losing quality.",[112,226,227],{},"For many chatbots, RAG-based assistants or internal sales agents, “good enough” is the more sustainable route. Lightweight models can be used for tasks such as classification or guardrails – quickly checking and filtering AI answers for plausibility and compliance – while larger models are used where maximum precision in text is needed.",[112,229,230],{},[143,231,232],{},"It is like a well-run kitchen:",[112,234,235],{},"You do not need a Michelin-starred chef for every evening meal, but when it matters, the team is ready.",[116,237,239],{"id":238},"the-strategic-difference-process-innovation-through-hybrid-model-architectures","The strategic difference: process innovation through hybrid model architectures",[137,241,242,248,254],{},[140,243,244,247],{},[143,245,246],{},"Efficiency and sustainability:"," Less energy, lower costs and high quality.",[140,249,250,253],{},[143,251,252],{},"Flexibility:"," The architecture grows with requirements without reinventing the system landscape.",[140,255,256,259],{},[143,257,258],{},"Economic advantage:"," Modular systems reduce long-term investment costs and make AI projects more resilient to technological disruption.",[157,261,263],{"id":262},"a-real-advantage","A real advantage",[112,265,266],{},"Those who want to can run these smaller models on their own hardware. Those who prefer flexibility can use them in a private cloud, with fewer hurdles and full control.",[116,268,270],{"id":269},"a-conclusion-with-a-wink","A conclusion with a wink",[112,272,273],{},"This may all sound a little “nerdy”, but in practice, technical elegance also helps determine whether a project takes off.",[112,275,276,279],{},[143,277,278],{},"My advice:"," Assemble the right orchestra of models: cost-efficient, flexible and easy to integrate.",[112,281,282],{},"How do you see it? Have you experimented with smaller AI models or hybrid architectures? What have you experienced, particularly around costs, operations or integration with your existing systems?",[112,284,285],{},"I welcome feedback, ideas and shared experiences. Get in touch at any time if you have questions or need support for your projects.",[287,288,289,296],"content-card-cta",{},[290,291,293],"template",{"v-slot:title":292},"",[112,294,295],{},"Would you like to explore what an AI strategy could look like in your company?",[290,297,298,301],{"v-slot:description":292},[112,299,300],{},"Book a no-obligation introductory conversation and let us explore how a considered AI strategy could bring real value to your company.",[302,303],"u-button",{"className":304,"color":107,"icon":306,"label":307,"size":308,"to":12,"variant":309},[305],"mt-3","i-lucide-arrow-right","Get to know us","md","solid",{"title":292,"searchDepth":311,"depth":311,"links":312},2,[313,314,318,319,320,323],{"id":118,"depth":311,"text":119},{"id":128,"depth":311,"text":129,"children":315},[316],{"id":159,"depth":317,"text":160},3,{"id":196,"depth":311,"text":197},{"id":220,"depth":311,"text":221},{"id":238,"depth":311,"text":239,"children":321},[322],{"id":262,"depth":317,"text":263},{"id":269,"depth":311,"text":270},"2025-05-23","Small AI models such as Gemma 3 can bring real benefits to companies: lower costs, less energy demand and reliable performance for chatbots, RAG applications and support. Why “good enough” is a good idea, and how hybrid application architectures support sustainability, flexibility and privacy.",{"src":327},"\u002Fimg\u002Fcompass\u002F2025\u002F05\u002Fevoliq-compass-ki-modelle-gemma3-groeße-kosten-nachhaltigkeit-2025-05-23.png",{"insightType":329},{"value":330,"label":106},"praxisnotiz","\u002Fen\u002Fcompass\u002Fhow-ai-model-size-affects-cost-and-sustainability",{"text":333,"minutes":334,"time":335,"words":336},"4 min read",3.68,220800,736,{"title":98,"description":325},"en\u002Fcompass\u002F02.how-ai-model-size-affects-cost-and-sustainability","ApWilF37En78i9f4dbzFiye3VDcGTDM2xhV7zAWo3cw",{"id":341,"title":342,"author":343,"badge":346,"body":348,"date":566,"description":567,"extension":308,"image":568,"meta":570,"navigation":91,"path":573,"readingTime":574,"seo":579,"stem":580,"__hash__":581},"articles\u002Fen\u002Fcompass\u002F01.ai-as-an-intelligent-foundation-for-smes.md","AI as an intelligent foundation for SMEs: real value beyond the hype",[344],{"name":101,"linkedIn":36,"description":102,"avatar":345},{"src":104},{"label":347,"color":107},"Deep Dive",{"type":109,"value":349,"toc":553},[350,356,359,366,372,375,378,382,385,391,395,398,401,404,407,411,416,422,427,430,435,441,446,452,457,463,467,470,475,478,481,486,489,492,497,500,503,507,510,514,520,526,532,536,539],[116,351,353],{"id":352},"the-relevance-of-artificial-intelligence-for-smes",[143,354,355],{},"The relevance of artificial intelligence for SMEs",[112,357,358],{},"Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere in the conversation. But what about real value for small and medium-sized enterprises? Many companies struggle to see the actual benefits through the fog of hype. The pressure to adopt AI is high. Without a clear strategy and a thorough understanding of the technology, either nothing happens or isolated solutions emerge that neither integrate with existing systems nor deliver the expected value. The result is high costs, frustration and missed opportunities.",[112,360,361,362,365],{},"Many companies introduce AI to “keep up”. Yet isolated, unintegrated solutions rarely create lasting value. Real value emerges when the technology is strategically integrated into processes and strengthens the company's digital infrastructure as a whole. Experience shows that people, processes and data determine AI's success, alongside the technology. That is why at ",[363,364,5],"em",{}," we prefer to talk about intelligent process support rather than “AI solutions”.",[116,367,369],{"id":368},"ai-as-a-boost-to-digital-infrastructure-connected-intelligent-and-valuable",[143,370,371],{},"AI as a boost to digital infrastructure: connected, intelligent and valuable",[112,373,374],{},"A forward-looking AI strategy goes beyond isolated solutions. Artificial intelligence should work like an invisible operating system in the background: intelligently integrated, accelerating processes and supporting employees, without continually appearing in the foreground as an “AI solution”. The aim is to create real value.",[112,376,377],{},"Imagine your teams no longer needing to search laboriously for information or carry out time-consuming analyses. Repetitive tasks take a fraction of their current time, errors become less likely and important data is available in real time exactly where it is needed, for example in sales or production. Employees can focus again on growth, innovation and teamwork – the things that really count.",[116,379,381],{"id":380},"overcoming-challenges-evoliq-as-a-supporting-partner","Overcoming challenges: evoliq as a supporting partner",[112,383,384],{},"Introducing AI creates major opportunities: efficiency improves through automation of recurring tasks and optimisation of workflows. Data-based insights enable informed decisions and create competitive advantages by opening up new business models.",[112,386,387,388,390],{},"AI-driven solutions also bring challenges, such as integration with existing processes, data quality requirements and a shortage of skilled staff. Ethical and legal questions add to these. The key is to use the technology strategically and integrate it deliberately. ",[363,389,5],{}," helps companies close the gap between vision and implementation and develop an integrated solution that works.",[116,392,394],{"id":393},"bridging-consulting-and-technology","Bridging consulting and technology",[112,396,397],{},"Companies are looking for solutions to growing challenges: increasing effort, greater complexity and technical hurdles. The greatest potential emerges when strategic consulting and technical implementation work together seamlessly, turning isolated data silos into a connected, intelligent system.",[112,399,400],{},"Continuous support is crucial for this transformation, from the first idea through implementation to long-term development. AI's potential is particularly evident in customer interactions, whether support, sales or partner management, when solutions are tailored precisely to employees' needs. The key is to support employees: AI-driven workflows handle recurring tasks, while the team focuses on customer retention, advice and growth.",[112,402,403],{},"Moving from vision to implementation is essential to turn AI from an abstract idea into a real driver of success. Challenges become opportunities when AI creates lasting changes that move the company forward.",[112,405,406],{},"Technology must continue to serve people, remain practical to use and adapt continuously to new requirements or a changing environment.",[157,408,410],{"id":409},"key-steps-for-successful-ai-integration","Key steps for successful AI integration",[112,412,413],{},[143,414,415],{},"1. Individual consulting as the foundation",[112,417,418,419,421],{},"Every successful AI implementation begins with a sound analysis of your needs. Develop a tailored strategy for your specific challenges. ",[363,420,5],{}," helps you find the right approach for your processes.",[112,423,424],{},[143,425,426],{},"2. Practical solutions create real value",[112,428,429],{},"The goal is to create solutions that noticeably ease everyday work. AI solutions must be directly usable and measurable to provide real relief. Practical use cases should be the focus.",[112,431,432],{},[143,433,434],{},"3. Smooth integration with existing systems",[112,436,437,438,440],{},"An AI solution succeeds when it fits seamlessly into your existing systems and processes. Integration should support your work without adding complexity. ",[363,439,5],{}," works with you to ensure this integration is efficient.",[112,442,443],{},[143,444,445],{},"4. Risk management from the start",[112,447,448,449,451],{},"Technological change brings risks. Identify them early to enable a stable introduction. ",[363,450,5],{}," helps you manage risks proactively so AI implementation can succeed safely.",[112,453,454],{},[143,455,456],{},"5. Long-term support and adaptation",[112,458,459,460,462],{},"The first AI solution is only the beginning. AI must grow and develop with the company. Long-term support keeps your solutions flexible and delivering the greatest possible value. ",[363,461,5],{}," stays alongside you so your AI grows with your requirements.",[116,464,466],{"id":465},"use-cases-from-add-on-to-intelligent-infrastructure","Use cases: from add-on to intelligent infrastructure",[112,468,469],{},"To illustrate the move from isolated applications to a connected system, here are examples of how AI-driven solutions can be used strategically in a wider context:",[112,471,472],{},[143,473,474],{},"Example 1: a sales copilot",[112,476,477],{},"An isolated solution such as a conventional CRM provides only a limited view of customer data. Employees must collect information from different systems, which takes time.",[112,479,480],{},"With integrated implementation, the copilot becomes a central sales assistant. It accesses all relevant data in real time and provides it in context: CRM, ERP and product information are connected. This is especially important when selling technical products, where complex questions can be clarified immediately. The result is smooth workflows, better customer relationships and faster decisions.",[112,482,483],{},[143,484,485],{},"Example 2: automated document processing",[112,487,488],{},"An isolated document processing solution can recognise data in incoming documents, such as invoices or orders, and automatically convert it into a structured format. The data often remains in isolated systems and requires further manual processing.",[112,490,491],{},"With integrated implementation, AI-supported document processing becomes part of the existing infrastructure. Unstructured data from PDFs, emails or other sources is captured automatically, structured and transferred seamlessly to systems such as ERP or accounting. Workflows from capture through further processing run automatically. This drastically reduces manual effort, minimises errors and makes data directly available to all relevant departments for informed decisions.",[112,493,494],{},[143,495,496],{},"Example 3: a customer support copilot for technical products",[112,498,499],{},"An isolated AI solution can classify customer enquiries and forward them to the right department. Its support is limited because customers or employees often still need additional information.",[112,501,502],{},"With integrated implementation, a copilot supports the whole customer service interaction. AI analyses enquiries comprehensively in real time. Whether by email, chat or phone, it understands the technical context, provides specific recommended actions and can even suggest solutions directly. Feedback helps the system learn continuously and improve answer quality. Customers receive personalised answers to technical questions immediately through an intuitive platform. Internally, support staff benefit from suggestions based on context. This leads to greater customer satisfaction, shorter handling times and a motivated support team that can concentrate on more demanding tasks.",[116,504,506],{"id":505},"responsible-use-of-artificial-intelligence","Responsible use of artificial intelligence",[112,508,509],{},"AI offers major opportunities and should always be used responsibly. The focus should be on resource efficiency, privacy and ethical principles to create lasting economic and social value.",[157,511,513],{"id":512},"key-guidelines-for-responsible-ai-use","Key guidelines for responsible AI use",[112,515,516,519],{},[143,517,518],{},"Create transparency:"," We consider it essential that decisions made by AI-driven systems are understandable. This includes clearly communicating which data forms the basis and which criteria guide decisions. This builds trust and acceptance among employees and customers.",[112,521,522,525],{},[143,523,524],{},"Ensure privacy:"," AI systems must handle sensitive data safely and responsibly. We ensure that the data, tools and models used comply with applicable privacy requirements and protect users' privacy.",[112,527,528,531],{},[143,529,530],{},"Develop sustainable solutions:"," AI should also have a positive effect on sustainability. The solutions we develop are designed to use resources efficiently and reduce environmental impact. This allows AI to contribute ecological benefits alongside economic success.",[157,533,535],{"id":534},"why-these-principles-matter","Why these principles matter",[112,537,538],{},"Responsible AI use supports long-term success and acceptance. Employees feel more confident when they understand how an AI system makes decisions. Customers build trust when their data is protected and ethical guidelines are followed. Sustainable AI solutions help connect economic growth with social responsibility and enable real progress.",[287,540,541,545],{},[290,542,543],{"v-slot:title":292},[112,544,295],{},[290,546,547,549],{"v-slot:description":292},[112,548,300],{},[302,550],{"className":551,"color":107,"icon":306,"label":552,"size":308,"to":12,"variant":309},[305],"Book a meeting",{"title":292,"searchDepth":311,"depth":311,"links":554},[555,556,557,558,561,562],{"id":352,"depth":311,"text":355},{"id":368,"depth":311,"text":371},{"id":380,"depth":311,"text":381},{"id":393,"depth":311,"text":394,"children":559},[560],{"id":409,"depth":317,"text":410},{"id":465,"depth":311,"text":466},{"id":505,"depth":311,"text":506,"children":563},[564,565],{"id":512,"depth":317,"text":513},{"id":534,"depth":317,"text":535},"2024-11-25","A focus on the relevance of artificial intelligence for SMEs. What does real value for companies look like, and what determines the success of AI solutions?",{"src":569},"\u002Fimg\u002Fcompass\u002F2024\u002F12\u002Fevoliq-compass-ki-als-fundament-fuer-den-mittelstand-2024-12-04.jpeg",{"insightType":571},{"value":572,"label":347},"deep-dive","\u002Fen\u002Fcompass\u002Fai-as-an-intelligent-foundation-for-smes",{"text":575,"minutes":576,"time":577,"words":578},"7 min read",6.185,371100,1237,{"title":342,"description":567},"en\u002Fcompass\u002F01.ai-as-an-intelligent-foundation-for-smes","5iC7MAhaT7z1_xDqtNsjtcjbsTH1hWL0IR8_PaT1UQo",1791899719062]