3 modern ways to automate business processes

Automating processes is an enormous lever that has been providing competitive advantages for many years by using human resources more efficiently. By automating manual and dull tasks, more budget can be spent on other areas and human resources can be used for more complex activities.

Processes have been automated for many decades, first by machines and now by software. However, there are now new and modern automation options that are hardly used by many companies.

1. Data Science

Data science is a broad field that covers many areas. Basically, with data science we focus on the use of data to process information. For example, a company can use data science to set up detailed analyzes and monitoring. The automated evaluation of business data combined with monitoring mechanisms makes the manual evaluation of business reports and operational activities unnecessary. Based on algorithms, most business processes can be monitored and analyzed with little effort. At the same time, a data scientist can use algorithms to automatically evaluate existing data in order to make predictions for the future, for example in predictive maintenance. Algorithms here predict when a machine needs to be serviced again. There is no need for unnecessary maintenance and control cycles. Data science can be applied in every business area and has extensive potential for automation and optimization. To identify individual examples and opportunities for using data science in your company, you should contact an expert. The most promising options are usually apparent after a half-day workshop.

2. Low code / no code

Low-code and no-code applications make it possible to automate and digitize business processes without the effort of traditional software developers. The idea behind it is that normal business users from specialist departments can digitize entire processes by simply dragging and dropping and clicking together in dedicated software. In 2022, low-code applications will be one of the most important trends - but they also pose risks. Many companies simply imagine implementation and underestimate the fact that software development is not just about programming, but also about the conceptual development of processes and dependencies. Developing and implementing the architecture is often more work and requires experience in the area that normal business users do not have. Accordingly, users of low-code development should be extensively trained and experts for software development and architecture made available to them to ensure successful integration.

3. Artificial Intelligence

When many entrepreneurs think of AI, they primarily think of automatic driving, budgets worth millions, Google, Apple and highly complex scientific projects. AI projects can often easily achieve initial usable results within 20-60 project days and often achieve their goals within a 5-figure budget. Experience shows that well-designed AI projects often pay for themselves after just a few months and the data of a normal medium-sized company is completely sufficient. In an initial workshop, a professional service provider will determine which processes can be automated using AI and develop an initial proof of concept for a low budget. This ensures that the implementation is actually realistic and the data is sufficient. You can then make concrete statements about the scope and costs of the overall project. AI makes it possible to automate processes that could previously only be carried out by humans. It paves the way for medium-sized companies to gain new opportunities and competitive advantages that are currently hardly or not at all used.