Many offices already have a spare server or a capable desktop sitting in a cabinet. If that machine is reliable and someone looks after it, buying a second device just to run document AI may not be necessary. That is why AI Box is sold two ways: as a ready-to-use box, or as a software licence you install on your own hardware.
The two options side by side
| Plug & play box | Software licence | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599 one-time | $399 one-time |
| Hardware | Included, pre-configured | Your own server |
| Shipping | $25 Nigeria / $90 international | None — digital delivery |
| Setup | Plug in power and network | One install command |
| Updates & support | Included | 1 year included, then optional renewal |
| Who maintains the machine | AI Connect hardware | Your IT team |
Minimum machine for the software licence
- Ubuntu 22.04 / 24.04 or Debian 12
- 4 or more CPU cores
- 8 GB RAM or more (16 GB is more comfortable for larger archives)
- 50 GB or more free disk space
- A stable power supply — a UPS is strongly recommended
Installing it
After payment, you receive a licence key and a single install command. Your administrator runs it on the server; the installer downloads the current signed release, checks its fingerprint before unpacking, and sets up the service. Staff then open the AI Box page in their browser on the office network.
The software licence assumes someone will patch the operating system, watch disk space, and keep backups. If no one in the office has that role, the plug & play box is usually the cheaper choice over time.
A quick decision guide
- Do you have a Linux machine that meets the list above? If not, choose the box.
- Is there a named person responsible for that machine? If not, choose the box.
- Do you need several sites or departments? The software licence lets you reuse existing hardware at each one.