The digital age has redefined the paradigm of what it means to be competitive. Businesses, regardless of size and scale seek to remain relevant and gain competitive advantage in ever-changing and ever-evolving market dynamics. They realize that digitization is a prerequisite not just for them to thrive, but to survive. In a scenario like that, implementation of workflow automation, a basic building block of business digitization, is something that they are beginning to look at with interest.
Explained simply, workflow automation is the process of leveraging technology and applications to automatically perform tasks according to predefined business rules. Workflow Automatons comprise two types- Sequential Workflow Automation and Parallel Workflow Automation. The former describes the process of deploying rule-based sequential logical steps that makes human intervention unnecessary, and automating every aspect of the task before it is marked complete. Parallel Workflows automation, on the other hand, pertains to a workflow that facilitates the performing of multiple tasks simultaneously.
Let us look at the benefits that accrue to a business from Workflow Automation
Timesaving: The most obvious impact of workflow automation is the time saved by no longer having to rely on people to carry out routine manual work. According to Gartner, approximately 69% of the routine and mundane work carried out by the finance department can be automated. What's great about workflow automation is the fact that it quickly designs and creates a process that can then operate on its own without oversight. Every single step in such a process is automatically managed, saving loads of time in the process.
Cost-saving: Cost saving is the primary reason that businesses implement workplace automation. According to Forrester, companies that implement workplace automation platforms witness a whopping 389% ROI. This clearly points at digital transformation by way of implementing workflow automation may help a business achieve chartbusting growth.
Fewer errors: In a scenario where 80% of all business processes suffer due to errors arising from manual data entry, workflow automation can step up to the plate and help eliminate these. On the infrequent occasion that an error does occur, it is identified quickly and taken care of. The impact of this on process efficiency is phenomenal.
Much better collaboration and connectivity: In a post-pandemic world where remote and hybrid work are commonplace practices, workforce automation streamlines the whole communication process followed between teams. It takes care of the problem of pending email messages and other forms of communication ensuring that one's interactions are well organized. What's more, workflow management can be customized to align with an organization's objectives and therefore made more goal centric. This allows company employees to follow a streamlined communication system that promotes better collaboration.
Enhanced productivity: With workflow automation helping increase productivity by up to 30%, the subsequent impact on the bottom line is significant. This makes the case for workplace automation in a very unambiguous manner.
Improved customer satisfaction: The ability of workflow automation to help cut down wait time and bring about substantial improvement in accuracy has a very beneficial impact on customer satisfaction. This enhances customer loyalty and encourages referrals on their part, thereby helping enhance revenue.
Low Code/No Code- The New Drivers of Excellence:
Low-code/no-code workflow automation solutions are the new drivers of excellence that help drive business growth like never before. Ease of use is the single most significant advantage of deploying a low-code/no-code workflow automation solution, majorly bringing down the time taken for implementation. It allows one to create workflows on the system right away, rather than have you build custom software from the ground up.
This ability to hit the ground running thanks to low-code/no code solutions for automation helps businesses bypass the developer shortage and leverage the power of intelligent automation unconstrained by resource restrictions. A Forrester report has found that low-code development can help reduce development time by an impressive 90%. This is especially significant when viewed against the backdrop of business users and non-developers managing to easily implement their automation systems. According to a 2024 Gartner report, low-code application development is expected to be soon responsible for as much as 65% of application development activity.
Workflow Automation Software Must-Have Features:
When zeroing in on a workflow automation solution at a time when a no-code approach is gaining prominence, it is important to know which features are an absolute must-have. Let us get a rundown on those:
Always go for a visual interface and pre-built components that comprise a malleable architecture to help take the automation process forward.
Go for a convenient and user-friendly drag-and-drop interface that allows non-developers to quickly assemble components and test them in real-time.
Check for the ability to access automation across devices and locations.
Look out for the presence of a marketplace consisting of pre-built industry-specific modules and third-party connectors that help integrate quickly within existing processes.
Check for the ability to integrate with other systems like ERP, HRMS, LMS and other third-party applications.
Pick of the lot: Top 5 Workflow Automation Solutions:
Creatio: Creatio, an efficient low-code platform empowering users to create custom business applications and workflows, has received recognition in several reports by leading research consultancies like Gartner, Forrester and so on.
Microsoft Power Apps: Microsoft PowerApps is a low–code platform that lets one create custom business applications quite easily. Backed by a company that is a dominant player in the low-code development platform market boasting a 17.6% market share (2021), you cannot go wrong with this one.
Salesforce Lightning: Another market leader in the low-code platform market with a 14.9% market share (2021), Salesforce Lightning is a low-code platform par excellence that enables easy creation of custom business applications and workflows.
Appian: Appian has a 7.9% share of the low code platform market according to a 2021 Gartner report making it one of the most popular low-cost platforms that empower users to create custom applications and workflows.
ServiceNow: With a 5.8% market share (2021), ServiceNow is amongst the most in-demand low-code platforms that lends itself to the creation of bespoke business applications and workflows.
Summary:
Most businesses today realize that the implementation of workflow automation is a basic component of the process of digitization of a business. Implementing workplace automation provides several advantages to a business including time-saving, cost-saving, fewer errors, better connectivity and collaboration, enhanced productivity and much-improved customer satisfaction.
The driving force behind workplace automation these days is low-code/no-code workflow automation solutions, which help substantially reduce implementation time allowing businesses to hit the deck running with regard to deploying intelligent automation without being constrained by limited resources. Among the most in-demand low-code/no-code software applications are Creatio, Microsoft Power Apps, Salesforce Lightning, Appian and ServiceNow. It's time that your business seriously thought about making these solutions a part of your business strategy.
Source:
(1) What Is Workflow Automation and How Do You Use It?. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/workflow-automation.
(2) Workflow Automation Guide & 5 Best Workflow Software in 2023 - Nanonets. https://nanonets.com/blog/workflow-automation/.
(3) What is a Workflow? - Definition, Types, Examples - Overview - Kissflow. https://kissflow.com/workflow/what-is-a-workflow/.
(4) What Is Workflow Automation? | IBM. https://www.ibm.com/cloud/blog/workflow-automation.
(5) 10 Benefits of Workflow Automation To Make Your Day Easier - EngageBay. https://www.engagebay.com/blog/advantages-workflow-automation/.
(6) 5 Key Benefits of Workflow Automation - Appian. https://appian.com/blog/2021/5-key-benefits-of-workflow-automation.html.
(7) The importance of low code/no code workflow orchestration in digital .... https://www.csoonline.com/article/3691889/the-importance-of-low-code-no-code-workflow-orchestration-in-digital-transformation.html.
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