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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat are the benefits of process automation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The key benefit is that it allows you to realize the most value and efficiency from your precious, limited resources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, none of us have the luxury of unlimited resources available for use in our businesses. Even if we did, there’s a tipping point where more resources can actually negatively impact efficiency. Increasing costs. Time, effort and skills are wasted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is where automation steps in to help by utilizing technology to take care of the repetitive, recurring and low-value work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some examples that might apply to your business?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A key example is expense authorizations. Rather than manually handling<\/strong> all expense requests yourself, or having your accountants handle them, why not automate the small ones. If an expense fits certain criteria, for example, it\u2019s low value and from a current supplier, then these invoices can be identified, and automatically approved and paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Steps such as this can help your business reduce operating costs and, therefore, increase profit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Process automation can ensure you provide market-leading customer service, improve productivity, lift employee morale and strengthen governance, all while reducing errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Technology is invaluable and it’s advancing at a sometimes-frightening pace. But even in this environment, there are still areas and activities where technology has not developed far enough to handle effectively and a human touch is needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While surgeons today use robots to handle intricate surgeries, diagnosis is best left to a human. How would you feel going to the doctor, having a consultation with a robot and it diagnosing your illness? A little bit disconcerting isn\u2019t it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if it’s not able to be used for everything, what processes are the best for automation? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally, processes that are repetitive, don\u2019t require the application of logic or thinking<\/strong>, don\u2019t need human intervention and need to be error-free are great candidates for automation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve already mentioned a scenario of automating certain expense approvals, but other examples that may apply to your business are employee onboarding processes, travel authorizations, annual leave or sick leave requests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Data matching and cleansing activities are also great candidates<\/strong> for automation; don\u2019t spend time reconciling your banking transactions with your invoices, automation can do that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another application might be if you need a regular report compiled for your business. Set up your tech to know where to pull the data from, how it needs to be collated and how to visualize it, and voila, your report will be ready on time, every time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Human time is then only needed for explaining what the trends mean, their impacts on the business and the actions needed to optimize them or mitigate their impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Firstly, you have to completely understand your existing systems and process. Once you fully understand how they interact, their dependencies and interlinkages, and have analyzed all possible impacts or knock-on effects, you can start to simplify the processes and introduce automation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Secondly, integration is key, automation should be used alongside and integrate with your existing processes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Interfaces and interactions between the processes must be seamless at all times and at all levels of the business. Automation processes must be consistent with other processes of the business in both their inputs and outputs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure there’s enough flexibility in your new way of doing things to allow them to evolve as your business grows. Very few businesses remain stationary; all grow, consolidate, evolve or devolve over time. Make sure<\/strong> you take this into consideration and build in flexibility for the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A step by step approach is needed with a fail fast and roll back approach to understand what truly works and what doesn\u2019t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stage it. Don\u2019t be afraid to question or stop on some processes and most of all, keep things simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no rush. Do it right, don\u2019t do it immediately if you aren\u2019t ready. Keep in mind there are specialist companies out there whose existence is doing this work. So, get their opinion or get them to help you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And finally, make sure your staff are informed and understand<\/strong> the new automation opportunities. Tell them how these will impact their own work, processes and ways of doing things. The more they understand, the better they can work with the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhich processes are candidates for process automation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat are the fundamental principles for process automation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The wrap-up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n