How Workflow Process Automation Can Improve Your Business?
As a head or owner of a business of any size, scope, or scale, the most important answers that one needs to know before implementing process automation are the how’s and the why’s that involve the change management.
Automation plays a pivotal role in reducing timelines and increasing efficiency. However, if not implemented properly, it can be a very erratic experience for both employees and customers alike. Now that’s a double whammy with repercussions that an entity cannot afford in its path towards progress and escalation.
Why does a business need automation?
The business environment is changing with consumers being served automated loans, express food delivery, instant cab booking, and a range of other services that have seen a paradigm shift, courtesy of a world that has embraced AI-driven solutions.
Business process automation or BPA reflects the change in the business environment. With the use of robotic process automation for repetitive work and artificial intelligence tools for analytics, the way key personnel and regular employees can think and work is forecasted and automated. A seamless, smooth, error-free workflow with insights for strategic decision-making is like cake with icing on top that businesses can no longer ignore.
Types of automation
There are broadly two types of automation. Few tasks will need both automation to be integrated for better results, and others will need the task to be completed in one category. They are:
- Robotic process automation
Repetitive tasks for simple processes that are essential but time-consuming and often carry the risk of human errors are automated through RPA or robotic process automation.
These processes can involve sending bulk messages, emails, form-filling, filing, etc. The automation of these processes helps in increasing productivity without any errors. It improves overall efficiency.
- AI-driven automation
Complex processes that need critical decision-making based on quantified data and qualitative analysis within the ambit of risk metrics followed by a company are usually covered by artificial intelligence.
Processes like credit lending for regular customers based on days sales outstanding or DSO, product development, and ad intelligence are some of the functions that are automated using an AI-driven approach.
How can automation help businesses?
The benefits that come from process automation are linear and abundant in terms of productivity, growth, and consumer and employee satisfaction. Process bottlenecks are identified and corrective measures are incorporated within the automation algorithm to improve efficiency levels.
All these merits are achieved at a fraction of the cost a traditionally manual process will take. Here is a detailed list of the benefits of BPA:
- Improves communication
Automation ensures that collaboration and communication are not affected by delays that are caused because of the email system. Every message and notification appears in the digital employee experience platforms and also sends an email. In this manner, important messages are not overlooked.
- Clear forecasts
When the variables are programmed and accounted for in the business intelligence reports, the forecasts are clear and spellbound for any business. For instance, a BPA will account for all the factors that are sensitive to the operations and sales of the company. If there is a disturbance in a country that is a primary consumer of the products of the company, there will be an impact on sales. In such scenarios, the clear strategic decision is to lower production to reduce the costs of production. seamless operations
When repetitive tasks are automated using RPA tools, the workflow is smooth and seamless. Products and services are delivered within timelines while maintaining quality with reduced errors.
- Consistency
Robotic automation follows an algorithm and does not change unless there is a change in the programming. This ensures that the process follows consistency and delivers likewise results.
- Reduced risks
With clear visibility through real-time data analysis and business intelligence reports, the risks can be mitigated without incurring additional costs or loss to the business.
Conclusion:
Most manufacturing units are fully automated with very little human intervention. Automation does not lead to job loss. It only improves the quality of the process for all the stakeholders while helping the economy grow and scale new highs for a better world. With improved automation, critical areas like global warming can also be addressed as companies have more time to dedicate to the cause.
