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Technology displacing thousands of jobs is a recurring fear among many today, especially with newer advancements emerging aggressively. Will technology become so advanced that it eradicates the human element? Fortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case for many modern companies embracing automation to be more efficient in doing business.
If you're planning to run or currently running a business, consider that automation applies to various areas, offering different benefits if properly executed. This article will help you learn how.
Understanding Automation in Business
Business automation uses programs or software that perform repetitive or unnecessary tasks, allowing employees to achieve more significant work. Automation differs from artificial intelligence (AI). Whereas AI is software or machine programmed to simulate or mimic human thinking, automation is a type of operating system that follows a predetermined rule set by humans. This comparison means that automation is designed to complement or help human processes rather than replace humans.
For instance, a work order management system helps companies streamline their processes in the service and maintenance industry. It helps them track and make repairs better without the unnecessary paperwork and approval.
Other real-life examples of business automation include:
- Request, credit, and pricing approval
- Employee and supplier onboarding
- Purchase orders
- Creating quotations
- Loans and claims processing
- Chatbots in customer service
Benefits of Automating the Business
The industries may vary, but the benefits of business automation all play the same way. These are several pros of implementing automation in your business:
Increase Productivity
Research shows that office employees spend at least two hours a day on administrative tasks like processing documents and looking for information, which takes up a lot of their time from their actual work.
If you free your employees from such unnecessary tasks, they will have more time to create quality output for your business, leading to a higher productivity rate.
Additionally, by automating specific processes, studies claim that it's making human labor more valuable than before, which means there's always an increase in demand for labor-intensive services.
Reduce Cost
Manual operation means a waste of too many resources. For instance, many people need to sign tons of paperwork to get things moving, which is a waste of time and paper.
By automating the different processes, you maximize your resources without waste. Plus, you can allocate your budget to improving your customer and employee experience instead of using it on miscellaneous fees involved in the operation. Additionally, automation can help prevent redundancy by identifying the resources and workforce that your business truly needs.
Minimize Human Error
Human error is a severe and costly threat in all industries. Unfortunately, it's tough to predict. With automation, you're lowering the chances of making manual errors by letting the system take over the process. This means the system can act on those error-prone tasks while the human element focuses on more essential duties.
Standardize Processes
A manual process can be messy, especially when employees have their ways of doing different methods, like filing and reporting. Automation helps simplify many workflows in the office. One example is an automation software providing steps to follow instead of people having their way in administrative tasks, making workflows more organized.
Better Document Management
Keeping manual records is a headache for many businesses, especially in the case of loss or duplicates. With automation, document management is easier and more secure. Thanks to a more straightforward data organization, you avoid duplicated documents and get more accurate information.
Automate Today for Better ROIs Tomorrow
Automation in business has become more common in different industries worldwide. While many still fear its possible effects on employment and how it might displace jobs soon, automation proves to support the human element in the workplace rather than replace it. Businesses are booming, and more quality jobs are emerging thanks to technological advancements that we continue to adopt.
