Business process automation has the potential to serve as a catalyst for major efficiency gains in the enterprise. What's more, these benefits can lead to significant improvements in risk management as business processes are automated in such a way that potential human error is eliminated. These gains can extend throughout the business as various automation tools come together to transform operations.
A quick look at automation as a strategic enabler
A recent Enterprise Irregulars report explained that organizations should not focus on automation as a way to replace jobs, and instead consider how the technology is changing how people work. While the article emphasized solutions like robotics, it also explored various forms of digital automation to point out that discussions around automation replacing jobs may be overblown.
According to the news source, many of the reports about jobs disappearing in the future are really talking about positionsthat have already largely been replaced in developed economies. As such, the margin for using automation to completely replace workers is fading. Instead, organizations can use process automation to eliminate the wrote tasks that skilled employees must deal with and free them to focus on more creative, value-creating functions.
"Automation will let business bring more data to bear in decision-making."
Moving forward, the rise of automation, particularly in the digital realm, will let business bring more data to bear in decision-making and enable employees to focus more of their time and energy into high-value tasks, the report said.
From value to risk management
Of course, businesses can't afford to leap forward into value creation without considering how new risks could end up detracting from revenue potential. This is an area where business process management shines. As companies automate machine-to-machine communications, data analytics functions and similar back-office processes, users can ensure that they use those tools in secure ways.
BPM software creates a framework for automation that not only aligns with everyday processes, but does so within the regulatory and security frameworks that a business establishes. The result is a simplified risk management environment as automated operations require minimal oversight because human error is not a possibility. Furthermore, your workers will be spending less time on menial tasks, keeping them more engaged and focused on what they are doing. The result is a situation where they can stop and think about their day-to-day operations and make the best decisions possible, minimizing risk.
Automation has far-reaching consequences in any organization, and the benefits can extend throughout your workforce.
