The automation of business processes encompasses a series of techniques and activities that aim to systematize and facilitate processes in companies, eliminating wastes and bottlenecks (among other procedures) to make them more efficient, as well as gathering information so that these processes can be optimized and managers can make more assertive decisions.
In this post, we will quickly contextualize 4 important points of automating business processes:
- Strategies
- Solutions
- Trends
- Benefits
Next, we’ll look at some business process automation case studies that have been very successful.
Also see: Know all about the strategic planning process model
Strategies for automating business processes
There are a number of methodologies and strategies for automating business processes, such as paradigm shifts, re-engineering, process redesign, and continuous improvement.
In all of them, the objective is to define a new way of performing the processes in the company, aligning their execution with both the strategic objectives and goals of the organization, as well as delivering more value to the final customer, guaranteeing the complete service of their needs.
Solutions for automating business processes
Replacing human inputs with automation often happens with repetitive tasks, but this is not the only time automation is useful.
Other important factors are the enablement of more transparent and agile information flows, with automated email alerts and responses – especially when tasks change hands (handoffs) – and the necessary conditions for the capture and measurement of KPIs at various stages of the process.
Therefore, if in the first case, of the automation of repetitive tasks, the use of system integration’s via the API can be an agile and simple solution, for more complex and structured automation’s, something more robust is needed.
Hence, the most recommended solution is business process automation software which also allows process modeling and documentation.
Learn more: Handoff strategies: Convert these procedures into results
Trends in business process automation
One trend in the automation of business processes that stands out today is the adoption of Low Code platforms, which are: automation solutions that use an intuitive and user-friendly interface, where virtually no code is used, with drag-and-drop process flow diagram editors, among other features.
See more details: Low BPM Code: 10 Questions to Find the Best Option for You
Benefits of business process automation
As seen in previous topics, there are many benefits of automating business processes, and we can define the main ones as:
- Make processes more efficient and effective
- Facilitate monitoring and management
- Assist in decision making
- Enable continuous process improvement
- Improve customer service
- Replace or control human tasks with automation
- Allow more transparency and agility in the flow of information
- Deliver products and services with more value to the customer
- Reduce costs
- Decrease risk
- Meet the organization’s strategic objectives
Furthermore, here are a few business process automation case studies to help you achieve these benefits.
3 business process automation case studies
Increased productivity
A world-class testing, inspection and certification company has used process automation to do their opening audit for convenience stores.
As a result, each stage and the evolution of the store opening schedule gained visibility through automation, allowing better control and monitoring, which generated a 50% increase in the company’s productivity.
See also How do you increase productivity at work? Check out 5 valuable tips.
Service desk automation
A large private pension company has automated its customer care services in a broad way that integrates and makes available information across various areas of the organization, such as IT, marketing, HR and the process office.
In total, 130 process flows were automated, serving more than 150 thousand occurrences per month.
Process control
A large non-profit institution focused on assisting and consulting with small businesses and stimulating entrepreneurship was having problems managing the large number of calls to its ombudsman.
Therefore, with the automation of this process, the generation of KPIs allowed it to manage the flow in a much more effective way, mainly with the more transparent measurement of customer satisfaction.
So, do you want to enjoy the same benefits as these companies with the use of workflow automation software?
Try HEFLO, intuitive and cloud-based BPM software.