Automation in Manufacturing
- October 06
- 9 min
Unique business processes are what make a business great. Often, however, these processes are manual, driven by spreadsheets or policies that are passed from employee to employee and stored in their heads. These human-driven, manual, or complex process approaches are not scalable.
To keep up with the fast-changing environment and to scale quickly, business processes need to be free of redundant tasks, bottlenecks and repetitive activities. Optimal levels of operation are necessary, and modern technologies allow for agile automation of business processes. To automate business process successfully, a strategic approach and a broader view of what processes can be automated are needed. How to approach business automation? You can learn about it in the article.
Business process automation helps you eliminate bottlenecks, reduce repetitive tasks, and streamline workflows—empowering your team to focus on strategic goals.
Business Automation Statistics: About 66% of businesses have automated at least one process, and approximately 80% are planning further automation. Source
Workflow Automation Trends: The hyperautomation software market is projected to reach $1.04 trillion by 2026, with a CAGR of 11.9%. Source
Market Growth: The global business process automation market is expected to grow significantly, from $14.2 billion in 2024. Source
Emerging Trends: Key trends include workflow automation, AI and machine learning, and robotic process automation. Source
Modern technologies can optimize your business for agility and growth. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to implementing automation and ensuring your efforts align with your organizational strategy.
Business process automation (BPA) is all about enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving employee satisfaction. Manual and repetitive tasks not only waste time and resources but also lead to disengaged employees who are more likely to quit their jobs. By automating mundane activities, your employees can focus on more meaningful work, boosting productivity and innovation.
Automation doesn’t just benefit employees; it also positions your business as more competitive by cutting inefficiencies and unlocking better resource utilization. With a strategic approach, automation becomes a driver of both employee engagement and organizational success.
While development teams often lead the way in automation, other departments tend to lag due to resistance to change or lack of understanding. Choosing processes with tangible, long-term value is crucial. Automation provides an opportunity to assess the relevancy of existing workflows, refine operations, and emphasize scalable solutions.
For instance, automating CI/CD pipelines across multiple teams can save time, reduce errors, and boost productivity. Taking inspiration from such development practices, non-technical teams can also adopt automation for greater efficiency.
A rushed approach to automation often backfires. Instead, crafting a strategic roadmap ensures that efforts align with organizational goals. Here’s a step-by-step process to guide your strategy:
Begin by evaluating how automation fits into your long-term business goals. Successful digital transformation includes more than just moving paper-based processes to digital tools; it involves upgrading legacy systems and ensuring seamless data flow across departments. Small but focused steps will keep your automation projects aligned with the bigger picture.
Audit your existing technology stack. Identify areas where outdated systems increase complexity or costs. Explore modern platforms that improve integration, simplify data management, and support automation initiatives. Seeking IT consulting can be valuable in pinpointing optimal solutions.
Leverage modular software and microservices for better scalability and adaptability. Investing in tools that handle orchestration, credential management, and contextual document retrieval will future-proof your systems.
A well-planned roadmap keeps your automation goals on track. Prioritize simplicity for easy modifications and align your roadmap with organizational timelines and budgets.
Start small—test automation’s impact by rolling out processes on a smaller scale before going organization-wide. Highlight early wins to build momentum and refine the strategy as you scale.
Learn more about ERP Integration with POS Systems for seamless data flow.
Proper planning isn’t just about tools; it’s about integrating technology with business priorities. A collaborative approach between your development team and operations teams fosters better results. With expert IT support, business process automation can deliver optimized workflows, improved performance, and greater operational agility.