A Beginner’s Guide To Workflow Automation Software

Humor us for a minute – Imagine you and RoboCop are partners in the latest buddy cop flick. You two need to automate your trivial and tedious tasks at work so you can put more goons behind bars!

Speaking of trivial stuff – that's exactly what a Workflow Automation Software (WAS) was made for! 
WAS gives businesses peace of mind, streamlines operations and increases employees’ productivity, among various other benefits. Workflow Automation Software makes everyone's work-life easier, allowing them to focus on productive, high-value tasks while your Robo buddy takes care of the repetitive, monotonous activities. No, don’t worry, he doesn't get bored!

Here's all you need to know about Workflow Automation Software - why your organization needs it, how it works, its advantages, history and evolution.

Alex, What Is A Workflow Automation Software (WAS)?

Workflow automation is an umbrella term that includes the planning, implementation and execution of procedures to automate workflows that involve manual tasks. With WAS, files and data are sent between systems or teams based on pre-established business protocols. Essentially, Workflow Automation Software takes a set of business protocols and eliminates all the manual steps involved to help achieve higher efficiency and repeatability. Tasks such as employee attendance, tracking inventory and data entry (once manual tasks) are now handled by dedicated software - saving time and energy for the business as well as the employees.

Now that we know what a Workflow Automation Software does, it’s time to ride back in time to see when workflow automation began.


Let's ride, partner!

The Old Days Of Manual Work Are Gone!

 
RoboCop came in the glory days of the 80s — derailing the criminal world and cleaning up the city by putting the corrupt and immoral behind bars. However, we’re not here to talk about Alex Murphy’s history. Time to talk about the history of Workflow Automation Software!
 

• Early 1990s

  The first workflow automation software solutions, based on workflow engines, were released. This software replaced basic, paper-based processes with electronic ones, enabling companies to replace paper-based task-routing activities with automated electronic-form processes.

• Late 1990s

  Features such as modelling tools, business rules and more were added to analyze, model and describe business processes. It helped companies analyze the graphical view of “as-is” processes in an organization and contrast it with “to-be” processes to make them more efficient.

• Early 2000s

  The modern era of workflow automation began with the introduction of Business Process Management (BPM) methodology and tools.

• 2005 to Present Day

  The modern BPM methodology laid the groundwork for what we know today as Workflow Automation Software.

This software ensures your enterprise (no, not a criminal one — you’re legit!) activities operate more efficiently and independently than you could have ever dreamed. Now, let’s learn how all of this works!

Trust RoboCop, You Need This Software!

RoboCop did it all by himself —  remember when he single-handedly took on dozens of ED-209 drones while the police arrived! Similarly, a Workflow Automation Software can singlehandedly take care of all your repetitive, trivial and time-consuming tasks. Although, it might not be the best at protecting you from killer drones!

Workflow Automation Software (WAS) can automate processes that normally take up a large amount of manpower. This software makes sure repetitive processes are identified, goals are defined and an optimized workflow is designed to reduce or entirely eliminate the human element — the software does it all.

Do you want to schedule all of your organization's payments for the next two months? Well, WAS has got you covered as it enables scheduling and execution without you having to touch a button. Sending emails and invites, scheduling auto-payments, delegating repetitive tasks, assigning tickets and escalations to available team members, etc. can be easily set up using a WAS.

An organization can expect to see less paperwork as well as the simplification of document management by adopting a Workflow Automation Software. Maybe you don’t want to enter each employee's personal information each time. The software can help Human Resources by automating such processes saving valuable time. Looking at financial teams; with a WAS, business workflows can be designed and automatically tracked to improve governance and streamline transaction approvals!

With Workflow Automation Software, all types of processes can be quickly and easily automated in the longer run. Just set it and forget it! However, that’s not all this cool software brings to the table.
 

More Features Than RoboCop’s Data Spike!

You must have realized that by using a WAS, your employees find more time to focus on productive tasks that add greater value to the business. However, you can expect to see other advantages such as:
 

• Efficiency

  Your organization will run more smoothly and delegation of tasks will be more organized to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Automated reminders of task deadlines via notifications can also be set up. We mean, don’t you check your phone every 10 minutes at work anyway!

• Productivity

  When employees get to focus on more challenging and rewarding tasks, they will likely put in more work, which will boost team morale and productivity.

• Accuracy

  With a Workflow Automation Software, you can be sure that the overall accuracy of business data and process workflows will improve. Since the tool automates various activities, it can identify when an activity is deviating from the norm.

• Visibility

  Your IT staff can have an enterprise-wide view of all resources, allowing them to track the automated workload throughout the organizational hierarchy. This will enable administrators to focus on areas that are still primarily reliant on manual activities, while improving the existing automated workflows.

Yes, we know, Workflow Automation Software is awesome – as Bixby Snyder from Robocop would say...


However, if you wait for a few years, it might get even better – read on!

What Does The Future Hold, RoboCop?

 
Well, Mr. RoboCop comes from the future (the year 2028, to be precise). Of course, he knows what the future holds for workflow automation?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) will have a significant impact on how businesses automate tasks, in both the strategic and operational sense. Hence, integrating AI  and ML models within workflow automation tools is expected. Moreover, in an effort to minimize human involvement and increase agility, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) will become a standard element within the Workflow Automation Software of the future. As more enterprises will be looking to automate workflows and processes, we will undoubtedly see an increase in Automation as a Service (AaaS).

We can also expect to see more low-code and no-code workflow software. Organizations will need higher accessibility to process automation software and low-code (or no-code) software will make that possible. You can bet your bottom dollar, Alex — soon even your updates will be built on no-code software!

Well, that’s all Mr. Murphy knows about the future – however, if you want to know more about taking down bad dudes...

Conclusion

Workflow automation appears to be a straightforward concept of saving time and resources by automating time-consuming tasks. As a result, many businesses turn to Workflow Automation Software to streamline workflows, save time and free up professionals to focus on other tasks.  This should come as no surprise given all the benefits of workflow automation!

Building a strategy around identifying, planning and executing workflow automation is the best path for your company to improve and grow. Take RoboCop's word for it - he knows a thing or two about improvement!