How automation helps businesses achieve more with less

Automation can be an optimal solution in such an instance. What was once considered a “luxury” is now an essential tool for companies looking to grow. Automation platforms allow teams to streamline operations, eliminate repetitive tasks, and focus on strategic initiatives. As businesses look to "achieve more with less," automation is the key to boosting productivity, reducing costs, and maximizing revenue.

In this article, we'll cover why business process automation matters and how companies can harness automation to achieve more with less.

Understanding business automation

Business automation refers to the use of technology to handle repetitive tasks, streamline workflows, and enhance the overall efficiency of business operations. One of the key automation benefits to business is the possibility of reducing human intervention and, therefore, minimizing errors. After all, it's hard to deny that a “machine” is more prone to errors than a human.

What’s more, business automation has evolved significantly over the years, now offering a wide range of solutions suited for companies of all sizes and industries.

‍Here’re the key types of business automation:

• Basic automation

Basic automation aims to simplify repetitive tasks by automating them with low or no coding required. This type of automation enhances everyday operations, such as data entry, report creation, and basic administrative duties.

Business process management (BPM) and robotic process automation (RPA) are the most typical examples of basic automation.

• Process automation

Process automation is designed to standardize and manage business processes for improved transparency and uniformity. By automating complex workflows through dedicated software, businesses can increase productivity while gaining valuable insights into their operations.

Common examples of process automation include workflow automation and process mining, which help identify bottlenecks and optimize business functions.

• Advanced automation

Advanced automation integrates human intelligence with machines to automate complex, multi-system processes across an organization. By using technologies such as machine learning and natural language processing, advanced automation solutions manage unstructured data and support decision-making processes.

• Intelligent automation

The most sophisticated form of automation — intelligent automation —leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to allow machines to learn from past experiences and make decisions.

Intelligent automation is already widely used in many industries, from manufacturing and healthcare to finance and retail, streamlining processes and reducing costs. What’s more, 92% of executives believe their organization’s workflows will be digitized and enhanced by AI-driven automation by 2025.

In summary, automation can simplify many aspects of running a business and can be applied to various areas and departments, such as:

• Document processing and management
• Content management
• Workflow automation
• Decision management
• Customer service automation
• Financial automation
• Supply chain management
• etc.

How automation helps businesses increase efficiency across all levels

Automation has been transforming industries for years, but with the advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning, its potential has expanded significantly. How can properly implemented business process automation help your business expand?‍

#1. It streamlines operations

The importance of business process automation comes from the ability to simplify and speed up operations by eliminating repetitive, manual tasks that slow down productivity. From data entry to task management, automating routine processes allows businesses to focus on more strategic goals. It not only reduces human error but also ensures consistent outcomes, helping companies to maintain smoother workflows.

Low-code solutions: the optimal way to speed up development

One powerful way to streamline operations is low-code development. Low-code platforms enable businesses to automate and optimize their workflows with minimal coding knowledge.

For example, for one of our clients, a German tour operator, we leveraged Retool, a low-code platform, to automate their travel itinerary creation process. By integrating live data from third-party APIs, we helped them streamline a previously time-consuming task, saving countless hours that were once spent on manual input. This significantly boosted their overall productivity. Platforms like Retool and Airtable allowed us to quickly build and adapt workflows tailored to their specific needs, demonstrating how low-code solutions can deliver fast, impactful results. Explore more on this case study here.

By using low-code tools, teams can design custom solutions that integrate various systems, ensuring that business processes work seamlessly across departments. This flexibility enables organizations to automate unique operational needs and scale as required, ultimately making business operations leaner.

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Insights-driven decision-making

A data-driven approach provides leaders with a clear path forward, enabling confident decisions even in uncertain conditions.

According to the report, 89% of IT leaders have access to valuable data for decision-making, yet 60% feel burdened by the sheer volume. Furthermore, 89% believe IT needs to invest in tools that transform data into actionable insights. Automation could be the leading choice for this. By applying machine learning and predictive analytics, businesses can automate decision-making, leading to faster, data-driven results.

#2. It reduces costs

According to PwC's 2023 Pulse Survey, 59% of CFOs identify cost-cutting as a top priority for the finance function over the next 12 months, while 47% of IT decision-makers report that cost optimization is their top concern.

One of the key ways automation helps businesses achieve more with less is by reducing costs. Automating repetitive tasks such as data entry and inventory management helps lower labor costs and improves accuracy, allowing staff to focus on more higher-value activities. In today's economy, where efficiency is crucial, automation plays an essential role in controlling expenses. Many organizations are also leveraging automation to enhance their DevOps processes, streamlining development stages to accelerate progress and reduce errors. This not only improves productivity but also cuts down on costs associated with manual efforts and mistakes.

#3. It enhances customer experience

Business automation is not only about improving internal processes; it plays a significant role in enhancing customer experience. Automation empowers businesses to offer quicker, more personalized, and reliable services, which enhances customer satisfaction and fosters loyalty.

Here’s why automation is a game-changer for customer experience:

• Faster response times: AI and chatbots provide real-time responses, meeting the 82% of consumers who expect instant issue resolution, as per the source. Through automation, 92% of companies improved response times, and 83% found it easier to address customer requests, according to the same source.
• Personalized interactions: 65% of customers expect companies to adapt to their shifting needs. Automation tools can analyze customer data and tailor interactions based on preferences and behaviors. For example, AI algorithms can recommend products or services based on a customer’s purchase history, creating a personalized experience.
• Consistency across channels: Automation ensures uniformity in customer interactions across various platforms — whether it’s through email, social media, or web chat. This reduces the chance of errors and provides customers with a seamless experience, no matter where they engage with the business.

See how we helped our client deepen customer relationships via internal Retool app development in this case study.

#4. It empowers teams

And frees up their time for more strategic work.

Indeed, a survey by Salesforce found that 74% of users believe automation tools enable them to complete tasks more quickly. Additionally, 90% of IT professionals report that automation has significantly improved their satisfaction with interdepartmental collaboration.

By automating routine tasks such as data entry, report generation, and scheduling, employees can focus on problem-solving, innovation, and long-term planning. This approach not only increases job satisfaction but also enhances business outcomes.

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‍How automation assists in work optimization:

• Increases focus on strategic tasks: Employees spend less time on mundane tasks and more on activities that drive growth.
• Boosts productivity: Automation allows teams to accomplish more in less time, enhancing overall output.
• Improves collaboration: By reducing workload, teams can work together more effectively on strategic initiatives.
• Enhances job satisfaction: Employees feel more engaged and valued when they can work on meaningful projects.

Final thoughts: why is automation important in business?

By automating processes, companies can work more efficiently, enhance teamwork, and make better decisions. What’s more, integrating automation with DevOps helps speed up software development and delivery, creating a culture of continuous improvement. Plus, it saves money by cutting down on manual tasks and errors, allowing your team to focus on more valuable work.

Ultimately, automation isn’t just a nice-to-have; it's essential for companies willing to succeed. If you’re ready to enhance your operations, our business process automation services cover workflow automation, low-code development, and more, tailored to help you succeed with automation. Let’s collaborate to boost efficiency and achieve success in your organization, contact now!