Benefits of Workflow Automation
Workflow Software is a simple automation tool for directing documents and tasks to the responsible users in a business process for further actions. It provides information and support for each step of the process and business cycle. Materials and documents pertaining to the process may either be physically transferred from one user to the next, or they may be maintained in a database or server with access given to the appropriate users at the appropriate time. In this system alarms and triggers can also be set to alert executives and process owners when the tasks are overdue. This automated system of operations ensures that work is moved through the system in a timely fashion and is processed correctly by the appropriate users.
Mapping out your company’s business processes is no small feat, as process discovery can be a huge project in itself. Workflow automation, the next step in improving your operational performance, delivers many key benefits to your company including:
Workflow Automation is not the end-all in your Business Process Initiative (BPI); rather it is just one piece of the puzzle.
Mapping out your company’s business processes is no small feat, as process discovery can be a huge project in itself. Workflow automation, the next step in improving your operational performance, delivers many key benefits to your company including:
- Online data capturing through web forms
- Eliminating human error (often part of manual process execution)
- Automatic task escalation
- Visibility into the process
Workflow Automation is not the end-all in your Business Process Initiative (BPI); rather it is just one piece of the puzzle.
Taking Workflow to the Next Level…
Workflow applications only provide the ability to automate and manage processes, while a BPMS provides for all four phases: Modeling, Automating, Managing, and Optimizing. The goal of each of these phases is to control the costs of executing the business process, reduce the time spent by process participants to execute their process tasks, and also improve visibility into the process itself. If you are utilizing just a workflow application, then you are taking a blind leap of faith, in that you have no way to analyze, test, and model your new business process before it is made “live.” Don’t stop short with your workflow - BPM can take it to a whole new level in several ways:
1. Process Modeling- simulates a process PRIOR to automation
2. Integrated Business Rules Engine– business process rules can be created and updated separate from the underlying business processes
3. Out-of-the Box Forms Designer- allows for easy to build forms to emulate your current offline document
4. Process Simulation– allows you to test your business processes in the same way your end users will use the processes
5. Patented Process Optimization Methodologies (Adaptive Discovery)- supports Lean Six Sigma
6. Business Activity Monitoring and Reporting- visibility is a must for any process
Coupling your Workflow Automation initiatives with BPM Software can give your company a more robust, complete tool set to leverage the full benefits of process automation.
Workflow applications only provide the ability to automate and manage processes, while a BPMS provides for all four phases: Modeling, Automating, Managing, and Optimizing. The goal of each of these phases is to control the costs of executing the business process, reduce the time spent by process participants to execute their process tasks, and also improve visibility into the process itself. If you are utilizing just a workflow application, then you are taking a blind leap of faith, in that you have no way to analyze, test, and model your new business process before it is made “live.” Don’t stop short with your workflow - BPM can take it to a whole new level in several ways:
- From a technical perspective a Business Process Management Suite (BPMS) includes seamless code-free integrations with existing systems, business rules, recipients, business data, forms and templates.
- A true BPM Suite not only provides routing engine capabilities, but also provides vital full process life-cycle functions including:
1. Process Modeling- simulates a process PRIOR to automation
2. Integrated Business Rules Engine– business process rules can be created and updated separate from the underlying business processes
3. Out-of-the Box Forms Designer- allows for easy to build forms to emulate your current offline document
4. Process Simulation– allows you to test your business processes in the same way your end users will use the processes
5. Patented Process Optimization Methodologies (Adaptive Discovery)- supports Lean Six Sigma
6. Business Activity Monitoring and Reporting- visibility is a must for any process
Coupling your Workflow Automation initiatives with BPM Software can give your company a more robust, complete tool set to leverage the full benefits of process automation.
