There are many factors to consider when evaluating business automation solutions. For example, how to avoid technology vendor lock-in and ensure buy-in across departments? And how to effectively manage the system once it’s installed? These are important questions to answer before you start automating your business. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Planning before automating
Before automating your business, you need to make sure that you plan well. This is because there are various reasons why an automation project can go wrong. First of all, you must decide what you want to automate, and then optimize those processes. Using a visual map can help you identify the areas you want to automate.
After mapping out the processes you want to automate, you need to determine which of these will be the first to be automated. Identifying the low-hanging fruit is important, because these are the processes that will benefit the most once automated. If you can, eliminate the approval processes that are necessary for each process, and eliminate any unnecessary data inputs and reports.
Avoiding technology and vendor lock-in
In many cases, technology and vendor lock-in can lead to subpar solutions at a high price. A common example is the legacy Lotus Notes applications that are still used throughout many enterprises. Migrating away from these legacy systems is not an easy process, and can be costly. Fortunately, there are some ways to avoid technology and vendor lock-in.
Avoiding vendor lock-in is especially important when it comes to data management. Modern businesses are increasingly data-driven and cannot afford to be locked into a particular vendor’s solutions. This can lead to lost data migration issues. To avoid vendor lock-in, look to open-source solutions that offer low-code development environments. Corteza, for example, is a 100% open-source platform that helps businesses analyze data and enable data management, while also facilitating security and integration.
Another way to avoid vendor lock-in is to have a clear exit strategy in case your IT team decides to stop using a particular system. This is essential in the event that the vendor has a different approach and becomes uncooperative. Without a clear exit strategy, your organization may find itself stuck in a vendor’s outdated system and unable to switch vendors without significant disruption. This can lead to increased downtime, decreased organizational productivity, and loss of historical data.
Getting buy-in from all departments
Getting buy-in from all departments for your business automation requirements starts with a clear end goal. The goal should be clear and the benefits of the automation should be clear to everyone. This includes defining the time commitment and the procedures for solving problems. It’s also important to establish how many users the new solution will support, and whether it is scalable and flexible. If the automation solution requires a lot of manual work, look for a platform that is user-friendly and allows you to add and remove users easily.
Once you’ve defined the requirements of the automation solution, it’s time to make the case to employees and management. Employees are the company’s greatest asset, so it’s vital to get buy-in from them as early as possible. The best way to achieve this is to share your vision and share why automation is the right choice for your business.
Managing the system
Business automation software can help automate many routine tasks. It can eliminate cognitive and technical skills needed to perform these processes, allowing employees to focus on innovative tasks. These tools also minimize the chances of human error and allow for more time for creative work and analysis. Every penny you save in automation costs can be reinvested into your business.
Business automation is a powerful tool for businesses that can improve staff morale, decrease operational costs, and improve customer satisfaction. It can also help executives make data-driven decisions more quickly and efficiently. Even small steps in automation can yield outstanding results. Automating your business processes can reduce the escalation of tasks and make running an efficient business a breeze.
