Business process automation (BPL) may sound like a complicated term, but its definition is actually the complete opposite. In fact, it’s here to make
Business process automation (BPL) may sound like a complicated term, but its definition is actually the complete opposite. In fact, it’s here to make your business processes simpler and more seamless than ever. It is a way of making manual processes automatic with the help of various technologies.Business process automation is an essential step in business management because it significantly boosts efficiency and competitiveness, and drives business value in the eyes of customers.In this article, we will help you understand how this process works and what its goals are.
What Is Business Process Automation?
To make things easier to understand, let’s look at process automation in your own daily routine. You probably use technology to your benefit in many ways, which saves you time and effort.For instance, perhaps you use phone apps for ordering food or to control your air conditioner.Business process automation works in the same way but is applicable to a business instead.
What Is The Objective Of Business Process Automation?
The main goal of BPL is to improve a business’s workflow. With automation, you can reduce costs, time, and effort. You can even boost productivity, minimize mistakes, and control all the processes of your business in real time.You can replace manual activities with automated ones or use software to make other tasks more efficient.To understand this process more clearly, imagine a purchase request process. If done manually, your purchase team has to negotiate with providers via phone or email, wait for a response, forward everything for budget approval, and so on. As you can see, it’s not a very efficient process.Now think about how a purchase process could be done using one centralized, automated system. With the help of a couple of forms and pre-designed steps, the entire purchase workflow can be standardized and done via a software system. Any employee with access to this system can track the process’s status. This prevents any errors and speeds up the task execution.Of course, this is only one example of how automation works. You can apply this process to most aspects of your business. Instead of contacting every customer manually, you can use customer relationship systems (CRMs) to automate the process and send out thousands of personalized emails in just a couple of clicks.
How Can I Automate A Business Process?
If you own a process-oriented business and want to improve efficiency, automation is the solution. Through thorough analysis and control of processes, you can effectively correct any errors and achieve business goals. Using a business process management suite (BPMS) is one of the best places to start. BPMS is a type of software that maps, automates, runs, and monitors business processes in accordance with goals set by the business process management.During process management stages, automation is adopted during the three stages listed below:
- Modelling - this is when the BPMS is used to add new modelled processes and electronic forms that outline priorities and responsibilities. It’s best to involve all employees in this stage and train them to understand how the system works.
- Implementation and execution - this is the stage when you put your process mapping to work and see how it fairs with your business goals.
- Monitoring - includes checking the performance of automated processes versus your expectations and tracking your business objectives. Monitoring becomes incredibly easy if a process is automated because the BPMS will automatically generate performance reports. You can even automate monitoring.
How Do I Know If My Business Needs Automation?
The short answer to this question is: your business always needs automation. What company wouldn’t benefit from speeding up tasks, reducing errors, and driving business value?There are also a couple of other signs that show your business can really benefit from BPA. These include:
- Communication noise - If there are lots of communication issues within your company, you will definitely benefit from business process automation.
- The current operations are misaligned with your ideal business strategy - The whole purpose of BPA is to make the entire company operate in alignment with its objectives.
- Unstandardized processes - A lack of standardization causes errors and wastes time. But when you standardize it with a business process management system and a task doesn’t meet standards, the system will interrupt it.
- Difficulty identifying problems - If productivity fails to meet business goals and you don’t know why, automating the process will help you identify the root cause.
Elevate Business Processes with Integr8
In the past, automation was something only larger companies opted to leverage. But now, it’s a must-have tool for every business—big or small.Now that you know the answer to the question, “What is business process automation?,” it’s time to take your workflow to the next level. Don’t ignore modern technologies that can propel your business further and streamline your operations. Adapt them instead, so they help your business grow.Integr8, one of the most reliable business systems companies in Canada and the U.S., offers a wide range of business process automation solutions, including managed print services.Contact us to learn more about how we can elevate your workflow!
