How business process automation will save you time and money The first step to automating your business processes is identifying which tasks can be automated. This can be difficult, as many businesses have a variety of processes that seem ripe for automation but may not be. A good rule of thumb is to look for…
Business Process Automation (BPA) is an evolving digital strategy that every contemporary organisation should take into account. It can perhaps be defined as the collective usage of technology to perform recurring tasks or processes in a business where manual intervention can be minimised. BPA can increase efficiency, reduce errors, lower costs, and accelerate processes, thus enhancing overall productivity and impact.
According to McKinsey, automation technologies can take over nearly half of the activities people are paid to do in the global economy, which indicates the enormous potential of BPA. It’s not just about cost and speed, however. Processes that are automated can also alert decision-makers about progress, provide real-time analytics, enforce accountability, help improve risk and compliance strategies and contribute to a more comprehensive digital transformation strategy.
In a broader context, BPA pertains to industry trends such as machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and the Internet of Things (IoT). These contemporary elements are major disruptors across various sectors, from health care, retail, logistics and service sectors to the manufacturing industry.
The onwards march of automation further reduces the possibility of human errors and promotes consistency in repeated tasks, guarantees standardisation, boosts safety, ensures tracking and auditing and enhances customer satisfaction through reliable, efficient service. And according to Forrester, businesses that invest in intelligent automation, one of the subsets of BPA, predict they will grow their revenue by 33% over the next three years.
While choosing to work with bespoke systems may seem like a daunting step, such systems can cater more accurately to the unique requirements of your business compared to off-the-shelf solutions. Customised solutions allow businesses to automate specific operations and integrate different processes which fit seamlessly into their operational flow, amplifying efficiency and productivity.
Despite its immense potential, the journey towards BPA is not without its challenges. From selecting the right process to automate, to ensuring the seamless integration of new technologies, and finally, to managing change within the organisation, implementing BPA requires careful planning, strategic decision-making and a vision for digital transformation.
Whether your business is seeking to streamline processes, increase efficiency, or improve customer engagement, BPA has a multitude of applications and benefits that can leverage technology to drive your business forward.
If you found this introduction informative and stimulating, feel free to explore more on Business Process Automation and related topics in our BPA blog section. For a wider range of topics, visit our main blog area. And if you’d like to discuss any aspect in more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Yorkshire Apps; we’d be delighted to navigate this digital transformation journey with you.