Benefits of task automation

The benefits of automating low-level IT tasks include increased business agility and quality of security and system monitoring, improved operational efficiency (faster cycle times), team collaboration, and innovation. Employees can focus on business-critical tasks instead of routine manual processes, resulting in reduced cost and increased overall productivity.

Business process automation gets routine work done, on time, every time. 

Defining low-level tasks

Low-level IT-related tasks include system monitoring, operation setup and deployment, system configuration, help desk functions, application configuration management, and network user account setup and management.

How to automate IT tasks and communicate the intent

Creating operational efficiency, productivity, and making optimal use of your main resource – people – is the objective of task automation, which can maximize employee value and help your company remain competitive.

One thing to bear in mind is that communication is essential so your stakeholders, including staff and contractors, understand your vision is to improve productivity and not to cut jobs. Communicating the mission and plans and enlisting stakeholder ideas, thoughts, and concerns will not only help build an efficient plan for automation with a diverse set of ideas, but it will aide in ensuring or increasing buy-in from your employees, contractors, vendors, and other outside stakeholders.

Create a plan for automation

Successful task automation starts with a strategic plan that identifies current process inefficiencies, lists prioritized tasks to automate, and outlines steps and selected tools or services.

A solid automated task implementation plan identifies and prioritizes tasks to automate and defines business goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success. Monitoring KPIs and the task performance, productivity, and issues is a vital step in the process, along with keeping automated tasks running smoothly with continuous improvements.

The next step involves selecting a tool or service provider, testing, and performing change management including updating documentation and procedures for reporting issues.

How to identify tasks to automate

Review existing business processes with an eye for routine, manual, repetitive tasks versus those involving multiple resources and compliance/audit trails, which can be time-sensitive and may impact the business significantly. 

Consider using existing employee standard operating procedures (SOPs) to discover all repetitive tasks and expected schedules, time constraints, and requirements. Gather the team to review the list of repetitive tasks for process automation to ensure accuracy. Next, review each process listed for automation and compare the estimated cost savings and benefits. Prioritize the list.

Choosing the right automation tool

Understanding the tasks to be automated is key, and this involves confirmation that a tool or service contains the features necessary to accomplish each task. Be sure to check compatibility with existing tools and the system infrastructure. Take the time to try out new possibilities with free trial periods to confirm the options work for your business and system.

Task automation companies and software tools provide a plethora of alternatives from the simple to the complex. Consider forming a team to review your research and findings and then select what best suits your identified tasks, existing structure, timeline, and budget. 

When choosing a tool or service, consider cost, ease of integration into the existing system, and the  ability to customize workflows for your specific needs. Cloud-managed services may provide a lower cost and ease of access, as well as exceptional usability so time is spent automating instead of training. This option also offers scalability to meet your needs now and in the future.

Intelligent automation platforms

Various technologies can be leveraged to automate IT time- and resource-intensive processes while also  following standardized procedures. Automating business processes ensures routine tasks are accomplished on schedule while also freeing up IT resources for more critical tasks.

Prompt task management can be accomplished with Intelligent automation platforms (IPAs), designed to assist B2B. IPA uses AI (artificial intelligence), ML (machine learning), and other related technology in combination with RPA (Robotic Process Automation) to increase future processing quality and speed.

Workflow identification and testing

Develop your automated workflows and follow up with effective testing before moving automated tasks into production. Testing the automated tasks function is critical before taking them live. Don’t skip this step, or you’ll likely spend more time fixing issues than reaping the rewards.

Adjusting to your task automation process

Consider learning curves and that things won’t change overnight. It may take time for employees to become accustomed to a new routine. Plan for issues and make the necessary alterations.

The long-term benefits of task automation are worth the time spent planning, developing, and managing the updates.

Are you ready for business process automation?

Allari can save you money while driving revenue and increasing productivity. Ensure your business uses its technology for maximum value.  

At Allari, we provide the business process automation expertise you need. We’ll tweak your tech and transform your company – for the better!

Our 60+ specialists are experts in J.D. Edwards and 80 other business technologies, and they know them inside and out. Our specialists’ knowledge and experience position Allari to help with your business needs including staff augmentation, day-to-day production issues, and full-scale digital transformation projects and software development. Leverage the power of business process automation to achieve a high-performing IT department.

Get in touch! Schedule a free consultation to discuss your customer experience needs or IT projects you want to accomplish.