Business Process Automation Consulting: Is It Worth the Investment?

And yes, spoiler alert: it’s worth the investment. Why? Because business process automation consulting does more than just save time — it changes how your business performs, providing the tools to scale smarter, not harder.

Let’s dive deeper into “why”.

Why investing in business process automation consulting pays off

There are countless processes organizations can automate but usually they are:

• Simple and repetitive
• Paper-based
• Research-heavy
• Involves multiple people
• Performed frequently
• Time-sensitive
• Prone to errors
• Requires an audit trail
• Have high impact, etc.

With automation handling routine work 24/7, tasks that would normally take days or weeks are completed in a fraction of the time. This acceleration of processes leads to faster turnaround times, enabling companies to take on more business without increasing labor costs. For instance, a company that automates its order fulfillment process can process more orders in less time, boosting revenue while lowering per-unit costs.

Therefore, process automation is a powerful option for companies looking to streamline operations and eliminate inefficiencies. Whether it’s managing invoices, billing, or other repetitive tasks, the reality is that handling these processes is essential for the smooth functioning of any company. But what if businesses could reclaim the time spent on these routine tasks and reinvest it into areas that drive growth? With process automation, that’s what’s possible.

Note: While automation can save time and costs, it’s not always as simple as “plugging in” new software. As such, it's advisable to consult with business automation experts to ensure you're automating the right processes with the right tools, tailored to your unique needs. Without competent guidance, businesses risk costly mistakes, misaligned processes, or wasted tech investments. A consultant can help you avoid these pitfalls, so your automation works properly.

How automation helps businesses stay profitable

1. Rapid return on initial investment

According to the 2022 State of Process Automation report, nine out of ten decision-makers (89%) report that process automation has contributed to business growth over the past year, with a third stating they've achieved at least 100% return on investment (ROI) within that time. This makes it clear why investing in business process automation consulting can be such a game changer.

Although investing in BPA consulting may seem like a significant upfront cost, especially for SMEs, the reality is that the initial cost is quickly recouped, often delivering long-term benefits that far outweigh the original investment.

What does your initial investment convert into?

• Reduced operational costs

One of the primary ways BPA delivers a fast ROI is through cost reductions. Manual operations are time-consuming and highly susceptible to errors. Automation eliminates these bottlenecks by speeding up workflows, reducing human error, and lowering the overall need for labor. This means businesses can operate leaner, reducing costs associated with redundant tasks. For instance, if a business spends 10 hours a week on manual data entry, automating the process eliminates that time drain, allowing those hours to be better utilized while saving on labor costs.

• Increased productivity

BPA consultants help businesses identify bottlenecks in their operations and develop automation strategies to resolve them. This can mean automating everything from invoicing and inventory management to customer service, allowing employees to focus on tasks that require their creativity rather than monotonous work. Automation not only reduces costs but also significantly boosts productivity. In fact, using automation technology has significant returns for businesses, with 73% believing it has improved their quality of work and 79% saying it has improved their productivity, as per the source.

2. Scalability for growing businesses

Scalability through business process automation is especially crucial for startups. The systems you relied on with just a handful of customers won’t hold up when your customer base grows to 500 or even 5,000. If your business growth is stalling because your processes are too manual or complex to handle higher demand, you’re missing out on potential revenue.

Picture this: a SaaS startup that starts with a small client base but grows quickly as its product gains traction. Initially, managing customer onboarding, support requests, and billing might be handled manually. However, as the user base expands, these processes can become overwhelming. By automating onboarding workflows, customer support ticketing, and billing through automation tools, the startup can scale its operations without increasing the staff or losing efficiency. Therefore, BPA allows you to scale your operations smoothly, without needing to invest heavily in additional workforce or manual processes.

Another key aspect is flexibility. Startups often pivot or grow unpredictably. Automation tools — especially low-code platforms — allow for quick adaptation. For instance, if a startup initially focuses on a small product but later expands to offer additional services, BPA allows them to quickly add new processes, such as customer management or product tracking, without having to redesign their entire workflow system.

{{retool-cms-application-for-edtech-startup}}

3. Better insights — better decision-making

In any workplace, there are always many moving parts. One team might rely on another for critical information, or someone may need to assess how various efforts are performing.

When the necessary data isn't easily accessible, it becomes challenging to make confident decisions. Instead of wasting time tracking down information scattered across different platforms, automation streamlines the process, making it easier to gather and analyze data for better, more informed decision-making.

Thus, data centralization through BPA integration eliminates silos, allowing decision-makers to access comprehensive reports and analytics. For instance, a retail business that automates sales data, inventory levels, and customer feedback can gain a holistic view of its performance, helping leaders make informed decisions.

Moreover, automation fosters a data-driven culture within organizations. Employees become accustomed to relying on insights derived from automated data analysis rather than intuition, leading to more strategic decision-making across all levels. An e-commerce platform, for example, might analyze past purchasing behavior to anticipate customer needs. Or a marketing team can use automated insights to design more effective targeted campaigns rather than getting “stuck on” data gathering.

{{cta}}

Checklist: signs you need business process automation consulting

Consider these key points when evaluating business automation. If you find yourself answering "yes" to at least half, it might be time to explore consulting.

‍☐ Manual processes are slowing you down

Repetitive tasks like data entry, invoicing, or employee onboarding are taking up too much time and draining resources that could be spent on strategic activities.

☐ Errors are becoming frequent

Manual processes are prone to errors, especially when dealing with large datasets or complex workflows. Frequent mistakes are a strong indicator that automation can enhance accuracy.

☐ Too many disconnected systems

If your team is working with multiple platforms that don't “communicate” well with each other, automating data flow between these systems can improve efficiency and reduce “friction”.

☐ Scaling is a challenge

As your business grows, manual workflows that once worked become cumbersome. If your processes can’t scale efficiently, it’s time to automate.

☐ Lack of real-time insights

When decision-making is delayed due to data being scattered across systems, automation can provide real-time insights that empower faster, more informed decisions.

☐ High operational costs

If manual processes are inflating labor and operational costs, automation can significantly cut expenses, offering a quick return on investment.

☐ Inconsistent customer experience

If customers are experiencing delays or inconsistencies due to manual workflows, automating these processes can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.

☐ Compliance and regulatory challenges

If your business is struggling to keep up with ever-changing regulations or compliance requirements, automation can help ensure you stay compliant by standardizing processes and maintaining accurate audit trails.

☐ Automation is hard to implement

If your team is facing difficulties with implementing business process automation due to inexperience or technical challenges, it’s a clear sign you need expert assistance to avoid setbacks and ensure a smooth start.

☐ You’re missing out on growth opportunities

If you find your team is too bogged down in operational tasks to focus on innovation or growth, automation can free up the resources you need to seize new opportunities.

How to choose the right business automation experts

With 88% of businesses planning to increase their investment in process automation over the next several years, choosing the right consultant becomes crucial to ensure your investment is well-spent and not wasted.

Selecting a business process automation consultant isn't just about technical know-how; it’s about finding a partner who understands your company’s unique challenges and can tailor solutions to maximize your investment. A skilled consultant will analyze your workflows, identify inefficiencies, and implement strategies that drive growth.

At Akveo, we specialize in business process automation services among other things, offering everything from low-code/no-code development to workflow automation and system integration. If you need our help or advice in automating your business, don't hesitate to contact us!

"Am I really losing valuable hours to manual tasks? Is automating processes worth the expense, especially when my budget is already tight?" These are the kinds of concerns that many business owners grapple with. It’s easy to get stuck in the day-to-day grind, thinking your current processes are "good enough." But what if you could free up more time, reduce errors, and focus on the bigger challenges?