Business Automation
Business Automation Transforms Your Business and Customer Experience
While the concept of intelligent business automation isn’t new, the use of so-called “smart” technology to improve business process efficiency is growing among SMBs and large enterprises. For example, instead of having workers tied up with endless manual tasks, automation can handle that work. That way, employees have more time to focus on other essential business functions.
Business Automation (also known as "Business Process Automation" or "BPA") systematically replaces manual processes with intelligent rules-driven automation, just-in-time analytics, and open collaboration. Often this is achieved with business automation software and similar tools.
The technology allows organizations to streamline processes typically handled by employees. For example, companies can use it to automate tasks associated with onboarding new hires. Other uses for business application processes include managing account payable transactions and managing approvals for business contracts.
Processes that fit the bill for transformation into an automation workflow include:
With business automation software, companies can get a more accurate read on the behavior of consumers. That includes anticipating which products might become in demand. That way, businesses can ensure they have enough inventory on-hand to ensure customers have an optimal experience with their company.
In addition, organizations can use the information collected via different workflows to refine customer interactions. The result can be higher sales, more efficient use of resources, and increased customer satisfaction. Business software helps you accomplish this by:
By automating manual business processes, organizations can realize significant benefits like:
In general, intelligent automation can reduce transactional errors often committed by humans. In addition, companies can reduce the cycle time it takes to handle specific functions by a significant amount. That way, companies can better meet the needs of customers while improving business outcomes.
A workflow engine (sometimes called a "business rules engine") is an application that runs with a business automation system and makes decisions automatically based on preset rules. These decisions usually involve transitioning to a specific path, task, or action in a workflow definition. For instance, companies can establish workflows that execute functions like assigning a task to someone or saving a document to a specific folder in a document management system.
Business metrics related to automated processes are stored in a relational database. Reports and information can be displayed in real-time and scheduled for distribution when users need them. Use visual reports and dashboards to paint complete pictures users can easily share across the organization.
With dashboards and reports, a business can follow team progress against Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and use business scoreboards to track the overall efficiency of business processes to drive improvements..
Even the most automated business processes require human involvement and collaboration at some point in the process. While smart rules, bots, and similar intelligent tools can help make business workflows more efficient, a process that runs entirely on auto-pilot can eventually generate unexpected outcomes.
When people are involved in a process, they need tools that allow them to collaborate and answer questions. For instance, someone might provide insufficient information to request an expense and wonder why their request was returned. Including discussion tools as part of the process allows stakeholders to communicate directly, whether it's before, during, or at the end of a process.
Business automation needs collaboration tools (Click for Larger)
Once business processes are built out and tested, it's time to roll them out to the relevant users. In some cases, this could be the entire employee population. In other cases, it could be a single department, outside vendors, or customers.
Users receive access through a Web portal where they can perform functions like:
The self-service portal houses all processes and forms. In addition, employees can manage through email alerts. For instance, a manager may receive an email alert indicating the need to approve a new hire. The manager clicks "Approve" in the email, and the business automation system updates the task and moves forward with the next step.
Here are some manual processes that can benefit from business process automation solutions:
Finance Expense Approvals Salary/Wage Changes
Marketing Campaign Approvals Brand Management |
Facilities
Resource Scheduling Office Relocations Move Requests Facility Access Legal Legal Holds Sales Quote Approvals Proposal Approvals Product Discounts |
Purchasing General Procurement Capital Approvals Invoice Approvals Product Pricing HR Benefits Changes Timesheets Employee Onboarding Employee Offboarding Vacation Requests |
Currently, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is getting a lot of headlines as a replacement for manual, screen-based work performed by employees, typically in service agent roles. RPA automatically analyzes everyday tasks and movements performed during an employee's regular workday.
Next, the automation determines how to automate the screen movements, keystrokes, logins, etc. As a result, RPA can drastically reduce the rote work done by employees and free up their time to focus on more strategic and customer-facing interactions.
Areas where organizations commonly use business automation include:
We've produced a variety of eBooks and tools that show the return on investment you'll gain when applying business automation across the company. Check out our ROI Calculator and download our Workflow ROI Guide.
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