Workflow automation is a critical future of work concept that manufacturing firms will need to onramp in the next few years to stay competitive. Consider being able to integrate several currently separate processes and platforms that you need to complete a job into one, smooth, easy-to-use process. The benefits of workflow automation are helping decision makers oversee processes, manage safety, and improve quality while gaining a host of competitive advantages.
What is Workflow Automation and Why is it Necessary Now?
To dig a little deeper, workflow automation describes the process of designing, executing and automating processes that conform to set business rules. A business creates these predefined rules, and then the workers perform their defined tasks and route data between other people and systems according to those rules.
One example of a workflow that can be automated, and has been automated in many companies already, is keeping workers safe from COVID-19. In fact, the pandemic has become a driving force spurring companies to adopt workflow automation to prepare for the future of work. Companies have had to come up with creative ways to keep functioning at high levels while also revamping their shop floors to keep workers safe, and to help workers who may have been infected. The intelligent use of technology to create adaptive workflows has actually helped manufacturers weather the pandemic with more resilience than several other economic sectors.
Workflow Automation is the Future of Work
As the pace of automation accelerates from day to day, expect that by 2023, around 40 percent of enterprise workflows will deploy from the cloud and related services—a near doubling of the amount of automated workflow used in 2020.
As companies increase their automation levels, they also expect operational costs to go down by about 30 percent. These savings should come as a result of redesigning and reimagining operational processes through automated workflows.
What’s more is that Gantner expects these automation advances to require more highly-skilled workers, not fewer, which is good for employment numbers. That may be a bold prediction, but it makes sense. They predict that by 2024, automation and technology will remove about 69% of the busywork that managers have to do today. So, if there’s less work to do, how does that lead to an increase in demand for workers? For one thing, their analysts found that almost 75 percent of company recruiters are worried right now about there not being enough talent to fuel growth and adoption of “future of work” technologies. Companies already need more highly-skilled, tech savvy workers than they can get right now.
Workflow Automation Benefits
Companies that have already adopted workflow automation to some extent are seeing these exciting possibilities:
1. Drive Productivity
Automated workflows empower you to combine multiple processes and applications into one easy-to-use platform. There’s no need to root around for rules or forms or processes stored in different systems because it’s all folded into one app that maximizes efficiency.
2. Identify Issues Fast
Workflow-based software apps like Anvl can pause a job based on a worker’s answers to questions. With that, workers can quickly identify a problem and stop the process to prevent safety or quality issues from proliferating, all while automatically notifying supervisors in one swift step.
3. Enhance Transparency and Communication
Workflow automation collects and distributes real-time data for rea-ltime analysis without the time-consuming process of filing through papers or different systems and apps. It’s all in one place. Everyone who needs the data has access to it, which can bridge communication gaps between frontline workers and supervisors.
Move Forward into the Future of Work with Anvl
Integrating technology on the shop floor is a necessity in today’s work environment. There’s no time to hesitate if you want to remain competitive, protect and empower your workforce, and improve your quality and processes. Take your first steps into the Future of Work today by learning more about how Anvl makes it possible. Request a demo today and talk with our experts about ramping up your workflow automation edge.
