Five Critical Steps to Successful Automation

Automation is one of the most touted technologies in this era. From social media to industrial digitization, automation is everywhere. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that automation is going to be one of the most used technology at all scales in upcoming years. However, just possessing licenses for automation tools is not enough.  Like with any successful implementation, a good plan and a strategy are a must, and this applies very much to automation as well. A robust automation strategy will enable you to make the most of the tools you have in your repository.

1. What, Why and How? Strategize First

As is known widely, automation is the process of automating arduous and repetitive tasks. When combined with other technologies such as AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) automation can provide you with astounding results both in terms of workload and time-efficiency. It is a common assumption and a myth that automation is a one-time setup, however that is far from the truth. Automation is a multifaceted process that needs to be continually supervised and tweaked in order to be operational at optimum level. Without an automation strategy, organizations are likely to waste time, effort, and money on automating chores that don’t need to be automated, or they may not be able to take advantage of new prospects for automation. A robust automation strategy will help businesses to emphasize on the tasks that will have the most impact, and it will also permit businesses to adapt rapidly as new opportunities for automation rise. Simply put, an automation strategy is critical for any business that wants to make the most out of automation technology.

When it comes to implementing an automation strategy for your organization, there are a few crucial points that must be kept in mind. These include deliberating what processes and parts of your business can be automated, understanding the uses of automation, and developing a plan for implementing this strategy within your organization.

2. The Right Selection

One of the first steps in establishing an automation strategy is identifying which processes and areas of your business would benefit most from automation. This may include tasks that are repetitive and manual, require substantial manpower or resources to finish, or are important to the workflow and outcomes of your business. To determine which processes and tasks would be well-matched for automating, it is suggested to conduct a thorough analysis of your set-ups using tools like process mapping or data analytics.

Automation can progress efficacy, accuracy, and compliance within your business while also reducing costs. In some cases, it may even help to improve customer satisfaction or empower new services or products. When evaluating the benefits of automation, it is important to consider the impact you want for your specific vision, goals and objectives.

Finally, once you have recognized the processes and areas of your business that would benefit most from automation and considered the potential benefits, you will need to come up with a plan for implementing this strategy.

3. Factors to consider before Implementation

Vision, goals and objectives: This cannot be stressed enough upon. Automation should be implemented with specific vision and backward planning. Your goals could vary from reducing costs, increasing efficiency, refining customer service or creating a pathway to a digital future for the organization. Without a clear vision, it will be difficult to concur what tools and technologies will suit you best, what tasks must be prioritized.

• Budget: A significant consideration when developing an automation strategy is budget – both monetary and time-related. Automation is cutting edge and does need ample funding upfront and over the long term, so it’s important to sensibly consider your requirements and available capital before moving ahead with any project. Moreover, as projects progress, there may be unforeseen costs or delays that need to be taken into account when planning your budgeting process. Remember, quality always trumps quantity. Start small but don’t cut corners for the benefit of scale.
• Technologies and Toolsets: Perhaps the most fun part but also one of the most important when developing an automation strategy is the technologies and toolsets that you would like to avail. There are various software platforms and products on the market, so it’s vital to do your research to find the ones that best fit your needs. Furthermore, some technologies may be more complex or demanding to use than others, so it’s important to consider the skillset needs and availability of the same in your organization. It is a great option to partner with your technology solution providers for implementation as they have dedicated teams with highly differentiated skillset for each tool and technology and can handle the whole process with considerable ease leaving you hassle free. MSRcosmos has undertaken various such end-to-end automation implementations. Our teams can guide and design the perfect plan to suit your strategy.
• Timeline and milestones: Once you’ve selected the suitable technology and budget for your implementation, it’s important to develop a timeline. This will ensure that all stakeholders are cognizant of the project’s status and can plot milestones accordingly. Additionally, this will allow you to plan early for potential roadblocks that may arise along the way.
• Risk Evaluation: Automation is a dynamic and intricate process, consequently it is also highly risky if left to amateurs, it is important to consider all of the potential implications and have a solid plan in place to mitigate any risks and ensure a smooth switch to the new system. A seasoned and expert team can be a big boon in terms of risk alleviation.
• Employee orientation: To work with any new technology can be an adjustment for employees, so it’s imperative to orient them regarding the same. Explain the advantages of automation and how it will benefit the workflow. Make sure employees are comfortable with automation and understand how to use it efficiently.
• A customized approach: What works for one objective might not work for another. Be prepared to experiment and adjust your strategy as the needs of your business changes. Rather than considering it a one-time event, consider it an evolutionary process.

4. Factors affecting the Automation Solution

Ease of Use: Bear in mind that any solution should make your life easier. So is the case with technology. Chose an automation solution that is simple to learn and easy to use for your scale of workload. Keep in mind what kinds of tasks you will be using the automation solution for. If you only need to automate simple tasks, then you may not need a very intricate solution. However, if you need to automate complex processes, then you will need a solution that is dynamic enough to handle those processes.

• Functionality: A convenient automation solution should be able to cogitate the functionality of a device or system before it is automated. This might include tasks such as defining what kinds of inputs and outputs the device has, checking for updates for its operating system, or running tests on the hardware to ensure that it meets performance requirements. By focusing on these factors early on, an automation solution can complete tasks as desired in compatibility with the device in question.
• Thinking of future: When designing an automation solution, it’s important to plan ahead too. An automation solution that is scalable will be able to handle augmented workloads as your business develops. This is essential because you don’t have to invest in a new automation solution every time your business expands. Look for an automation solution that can be easily scaled up or down to meet your varying needs.

5. Ground Check

The most basic factors at ground level that will decide what solutions will suit you the best are –

• Device compatibility: Automation solution must be compatible with majority of existing devices you’re using. In case the systems are outdated you may need on invest in the right systems too. Software compatibility: Most commercially used softwares are designed to host the automation tools and vice versa, however its best to check out these details in the pre-planning stage itself.
• Business process compatibility: The automation solution must seamlessly integrate with your existing business flow.

Conclusion

Digitization today is what industrialization was in the 1800s. It is the moment itself and automation is a big part of this moment. Don’t miss out on the edge of automation. Contact us today for a free consultation – we can help you develop an automation plan that meets your specific needs and helps you reach your goals.