Business process automation and integration is the approach used to convert difficult, complex or redundant tasks and simplify them into a streamlined and hands-free processes, management by software.
Automation and integration can be applied to virtually any aspect of a business. The goal of BPA is to save businesses time and money by completing tedious tasks automatically, which then increases productivity by allowing your employees to focus on their core areas of talent.
1. QUALITY & CONSISTENCY
Quality: Automation ensures that every action is performed identically – resulting in high quality, reliable results.
Consistency: If, for example, you have automated your customer service follow-up process, your customers will consistently experience the same level of service from your business.
2. TIME SAVING
Manual tasks take time. They have to be performed linearly by humans who are prone to err by nature. Automation reduces the number of tasks you and your employees would otherwise need to do manually. This frees up your time to work on items that add genuine value to the business, allowing you to be more innovative and increasing your employees’ levels of motivation. Automation also allows you to get more done in the same amount of time, greatly increasing productivity.
3. METRIC VISIBILITY
Sustained business success is dependent on developing and implementing a superior strategy. Retaining your competitive advantage requires that you constantly monitor, evaluate and modify that strategy – all of which are dependent on access to timely and accurate business data. Depending on which process you have opted to automate (financial, billing, collections, sales and/or support), key metrics can be recorded and reported on to provide you with the key information you need.
4. IMPROVED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY
Efficiency by definition describes the extent to which time, effort and cost is effectively applied for the intended task or purpose. Process automation reduces the time it takes to achieve a task, the effort required to undertake it and the cost of completing it successfully.
5. GOVERNANCE & RELIABILITY
The consistency of automated processes means you can rely on (a) your business processes to operate and (b) you can offer reliable processes to your customers, maintaining competitive advantage.
The reliability of workflow automation ensures that processes essential for corporate governance are executed 100% of the time in accordance with legislation.
6. REDUCED TURNAROUND TIMES
Eliminate unnecessary tasks and realign process steps to optimise the flow of information throughout your production, service, billing and collection departments.
This adjustment of processes distills your operational performance and reduces the turnaround times for both staff and external customers.
7. REDUCED COSTS
Manual tasks, given that they are performed one-at-a-time and at a slower rate than an automated task, will cost more. Automation allows you to accomplish more by utilizing fewer resources.
Source credit: SOLIDitech
