In this day and age, businesses need to automate their business processes for operational efficiency. Repetitive tasks take considerable time off team members’ duty hours, reducing the amount of work they could finish in a day.
For instance, a recent survey has discovered that people spend at least two hours daily finding the information they need to complete activities. Workers are restricted from performing their core tasks at least one day weekly, impacting productivity.
An automated file management system can efficiently address the problem and remove bottlenecks.
But file management isn’t the only business process that needs to be automated to increase productivity. Other technologies, like robotic process automation or RPA services for accounting, can likewise streamline and boost your operations.
Below, you’ll find the most common automation solutions based on a company’s requirements.
1. Using Software For Automating Workflows
Workflow automation aims to make business processes faster and more accurate using specific software, which can be customized, accessed through subscription or bought off the shelves. Because of high demand and accessibility, its industry is expected to increase steadily in the coming years. According to market research, the business software and services market is projected to reach USD$ 813.4 billion by 2028.
Several automation products are available on the market, ranging from industry to process-specific.
For instance, digital marketing software integrates most processes. Some only focus on email, content, social media, and other advertising methods. Others aim to streamline tasks like data entry, request processing, and approvals.
Deciding which product to choose requires you to align your priorities and goals with the product’s purported benefits.
2. Tapping Managed Services For Cybersecurity
Technological advances have made things easier and more convenient for everyone. For instance, customers don’t need to leave their homes to shop or transfer funds. On the flip side, however, digitalization has spurred cyber hacking and online crimes.
According to IBM Security’s Cost of a Data Breach 2022 report, 83% of organizations surveyed have had more than one data breach. Alarmingly, the average cost of a data breach was pegged at USD$ 4.35 million during the period—enough to shut down most small and medium-sized businesses.
Seeking help from managed cyber security service provider Redpoint and other reputable companies helps protect your information technology (IT) infrastructure without overburdening your in-house team. Business data requires 24/7 protection and state-of-the-art tools that may only be accessible to such providers.
Having access to reliable protection reduces disruptions caused by technical issues. More importantly, it assures business survival and swift reopening after major disasters.
3. Integrating Technology For Better Data Processing And Analysis Capabilities
Regardless of size and niche, businesses are surrounded by structured and unstructured data sets. These remain useless unless they are processed.
Technologies like RPA, when used alongside other platforms like machine learning, help enterprises gather data and process it for their leverage.
For instance, marketing and sales teams must improve their lead generation, qualifying processes, and customer relations to boost their pipeline and company revenues. Customer data platforms (CDP) and customer relationship management (CRM) are the primary tools for such purposes.
In most cases, RPA automates CRM maintenance, updating, and integration with other systems. When complemented with machine learning, this valuable business tool acquires analytical and predictive capabilities that help teams identify and qualify high-quality leads through segmentation and scoring. As such, the staff can focus on prospects likely to buy rather than chase unpromising leads.
Similarly, digital marketers can monitor campaign performance, enabling them to change their strategies for maximum impact.
Ultimately, automation helps firms gain business intelligence by making data-driven decisions.
4. Utilizing Automation Technologies To Enhance Customer Experience
More than 80% of clients expect automated customer support when dealing with a brand, according to a recent McKinsey survey.
In today’s fast-paced world, consumers want swift access to support services. Consumers find it irritating when put on hold after contacting customer support. Instead of waiting to be accommodated, they prefer self-service commands to address their issues.
Chatbots are the most common AI-run tools to enhance customer communication and experience. They’re often used on the company website or app to assist clients with concerns, like troubleshooting, updating information, or making payments.
Unlike human chat support teams, they’re always available and are relatively cheaper to maintain. More importantly, they can be programmed to be multilingual or to further gather customer data and preferences. As such, your agents can focus on their tasks better, fostering a positive working environment that helps improve retention rates and workplace productivity.
Automation: The Way Forward?
Letting machines handle repetitive tasks eliminates human error and exponentially shortens processing times. It increases business productivity by freeing up the staff’s working times, allowing them to focus on their core activities. More importantly, it enhances reporting methods by generating valuable performance insights.
Because the benefits of automation are use-specific, there’s no one-size-fits-all business automation solution. Companies must identify their operational priorities, expected benefits, and projected returns for optimal results.