Are you ready to implement business process automation? Business process automation (BPA) helps to analyze business processes and align business goals. By using BPA, your business can find more efficient ways to do business across all departments.
The BPA process can be a bit confusing. There are many key activities that it relies on, including the monitoring and analysis of key metrics. Managers need to be trained to handle the new business process. If you are just getting started with BPA, follow this step-by-step guide for success.
Is BPA Relevant to Your Business?
BPA uses technology to take over manual, repetitive, or time-consuming processes. Automation can help to optimise business processes for key players across different types of industries by reducing errors and improving business processes. If you need to manage your portfolio, data flows, and service portals, BPA can streamline your business.
Some sectors that can benefit from business process automation business goals include:
- The manufacturing sector: BPA is essential where robotisation is needed for the production process
- Financial sectors: BPA plays an important role in simplifying the accounts payable and contract management process
- Customer service: BPA can be used to improve customer experience and to digitise certain tasks
- Human resources: BPA tools can be used to streamline HR tasks (such as data forms used during the onboarding process)
Getting Started with Business Process Automation
If you are considering BPA software and solutions such as enterprise resource planning (ERP system), here are some tips for your business to get you started:
- Match your BPA to your business goals
Outline your business goals into short-term and long-term goals. From here, you can match and prioritise processes to align with your goals.
- Review your business processes
What tasks do you need to simplify? Create a review of your business processes to determine which tasks need automation the most. From here, you can choose a system to help you save time and money.
- Select BPA tools
Your business has the option of choosing different BPA tools. The tools you select will depend on the industry you are in and, again, your business goals. You might find that you need an ERP system to track and monitor warehouse activities or a CRM system for your marketing goals. Find the process that provides your business with the most efficiency gains.
- Integrate data
Once you are done choosing a BPA system, you need to ensure the data that is used is accurate, complete, and relevant. One way to do this is to test the system and ensure it is providing you with the results you need.
- Get feedback
Ensure that everyone is on board with the BPA process. Is it helping your departments and simplifying business? From here, you can measure the benefits that automation has on your business processes or you can tweak them as needed.
Best Practices
Using any new technology comes with lessons. Here are a few good practices you can follow to ensure your BPA runs smoothly.
- Start small
No matter how competitive your industry is, it is essential to start small. Automation is part of a business plan and needs to start with a strategy. Take small steps when setting up your automation system and you’ll see big results over time.
- Get organised
Data is crucial for BPA systems. You need to organise your data and ensure your business is not using duplicate or unnecessary data. Try to standardise fields and data forms.
- Don’t set it and forget it
Automation does not mean complacency. Although little human intervention is needed, you need to constantly review your system to ensure it is running smoothly. A regular review will also help you to identify areas of improvement.
Ready to get started with business process automation? Contact Terracor Business Solutions to view business process automation systems for your business!
