Covid -19 pandemic propel business process automation
Covid – 19 pandemic affects the business worldline, as a trend society adapts to new ways to grow through online business. Workers can now only work digitally, just one swipe and click without any access to the paperworks and actual interaction to customers that forms the lifeblood for many tasks and effort. One crucial use nowadays for faster and better business is through process automation, one of the most popular software that pushes automation in a straightforward and effective way that replaces traditional business manual workflow. This insight was one of the main reports titled “ The Sorry State of Digital Transformation in 2018” by Forrester, surveying that 22 percent of businesses still don’t have process excellence and workflow automation. Meanwhile, according to Moraje S. ( 2022), almost half of the activities that people are paid to do are already process automation. MGi estimates that 48 % of employees’ activity, equivalent to 18.2 million jobs, could be automated.
Business process automation refers to the use of technology to execute recurring tasks or processes in an organization where manual effort can be replaced to minimize costs and increase efficiency. For example, purchase orders/requests. The requesting team fills out a form and sends it to the purchasing team, the approval authority will evaluate it and reject the request if there are constraints. It is sent back to the requesting team. Without an automation process, there will be delayed approval, impacted productivity, incomplete records and errors. Business process automation can improve accountability, transparency and accurate data recording plus it can retain all process – related communication for easier and faster workflow.
Business process automation also has moles and may not guarantee success. Here are some pointers according to Kissflow ( 2021);
- Make sure that we understand what tasks/works/business we are involved in, who is responsible and when it is to be executed.
- Clear goals will save a lot of time in course correction.
- Results must be measured with a phased approach, lots of organizations are disappointed when the results are not given just in one night.
- Invest adequate time in orienting and training employees.
- Have a long – term outlook to experience process automation.
- Use ready made solutions where available.
To capture the advantage of automation, business leaders must identify first the business process. Not only investing in technology but also transforming their organization into more productive.
