Work process automation – what is it and why is it necessary?

Questions that frequently come up are: why is process automation apart important, why should we place emphasis on it and how can corporations utilize it to a suitable degree? 

In order to answer all of these questions, let’s take a look at what process automation really means, what kind of problems it can resolve and what the main business and professional demands it has withstand.

Process automation in general

Broadly speaking, if someone hears about process automation, they immediately associate it with two things: the digitalization of existing documents, and the reduction of repetitive processes. This is all fine and well but process automation can accomplish much more beyond the replacement of paper-based work and the computer-based resolution of offline tasks. This form of automation is intended to support the optimization of processes through monitoring, measuring, simplification, acceleration and further development.

Remedying problems

The main goal of process automation is to support the growth and development aspirations of corporations. In order to make this happen, it offers a wide-ranging and diverse system that when used well can provide solutions to all of the following issues:

• · Long drawn-out and sluggish projects
• · Slow tool, process and framework development
• · Restricted data access and decentralized data storage
• · Limited integration to the core system and specialized systems
• · Digitalized processes that are hard to change or modify
• · A complex and foreign technology for business users
• · Shadow IT solutions and opacity
• · Obstacles in the cooperation between the business, users and IT
• · Resources, users and processes that pose challenges in terms of scalability

Business expectations and professional considerations

Business expectations

Business expectations include all forms of considerations that ensure the utilization of an effective and reliable process automation framework.

• · The existence of a tool that can be used by IT specialists as well as a wider range of business experts.  
• · The processes and the professionals with knowledge of the business can be actively involved in the creation of automated processes.
• · Through the involvement of business professionals, the establishment of processes leads to the creation of IT solutions that precisely satisfy users’ demands.

If this level of collaboration is not present in the field of process automation or if the use of the tool is too complex for this purpose, it may prevent you from establishing a mixed team of IT and business experts that transcends departments. This solution will not be fast and user-friendly enough, which is now a default demand of automation projects.

Technical factors

The technical factors of a process automation system include all the expectations that allow for its effective implementation and configuration. Prior to the launch of the project, the selection of tools must provide for:

• · the feasibility of complex and complicated processes,
• · the rapid integration of new and existing technologies,
• · quick scalability according to business demands,
• · the possibility of learning and using the system in a short period of time.

The lack of any of these factors can greatly inhibit the effective development of process automation for corporate operators.

On this basis

Based on the above, it’s important bear in mind that achieving process automation requires aligning two types of expertise: the knowledge of business processes and the ability to implement the processes in terms of IT. This allows us to establish an automated process framework that digitizes, centralizes and automates processes based on predefined decisions. Through complexity management, multifaceted integration, scalability and simple usage the following are all provided for:

• · Boosting the effectiveness and speed of projects
• · Effectively developing a new system of tools, process and frameworks
• · Centralized data access for all in a digital form
• · Hassle-free core and specialized system integration
• · The rapid and effective introduction of changes or modifications
• · Providing a clear and easy-to-use interface for business users
• · Replacing shadow IT with a transparent system
• · Establishing a shared business and IT network
• · The effective scalability of resources, users and processes

Conclusion

Process automation is required for the sake of the development and growth of corporations. Its purpose is to harmonize the knowledge of business processes and the ability to provide IT-based implementation of processes. Additionally, it ensures a way to manage complexity, multifaceted integration, scalability and simple usage.