How to future-proof your business with automation
The coronavirus pandemic continues to significantly change the Australian working environment. One of its biggest impacts has been in cementing the workforce’s ability to rapidly adapt to change and embrace new technologies and ways of working.While the country adapts and recovers from the ongoing effects of the health crisis, many organisations have turned to automation to make positive economic changes within the business, with the integration of new services and products that help increase productivity and drive efficiencies. By 2030, it’s estimated that between 25 and 46 per cent of job tasks in Australia could be automated, according to a report from McKinsey & Company.
Looking at its business benefits, it’s easy to see why. Automation streamlines business processes, helping companies achieve greater efficiencies by eliminating or reducing the need for time-consuming, repetitive, manual tasks. Against the backdrop of pandemic-driven digital transformation, there is a unique opportunity for businesses to review current processes and systems and assess the potential to automate tasks that empower workers to spend more time on other priorities.
Back to basics
To successfully streamline processes and better prepare for the future, you need to first identify areas to automate or digitise that could otherwise threaten business success or become a pain point in the future. Areas where mistakes can easily be made opening your company up to increased risk, are an ideal starting point for automation.
For example, mismatched customer details resulting in the wrong billing information being provided to customers breaches confidentiality data protections. This could be circumvented by automating mailing processes and including barcode scanning to minimise the risk of human error.
Additionally, investing in technologies that facilitate more accurate delivery information, such as automated address printing systems, can help minimise the risk of incorrectly mailing items and breaching privacy by mismatching customer details.
Automated database management software can also reduce the time and money spent on repetitive tasks, such as data entry and manually updating customer address databases, which can help streamline customer communications and management. Through deploying new technology solutions and automating simple tasks, workers can focus more on improving productivity and customer service and identifying other growth opportunities.
Similarly, by automating manual shipping processes you can streamline your parcel shipping operations. Investing in software solutions that automate the tracking and receiving process can help to simplify the process for both senders and receivers. It can also provide more accurate status updates on deliveries and maintain clear records of chain of custody of inbound packages.
The mass migration to online shopping and remote working that you may have experienced this year has forced many decision-makers to reassess processes and determine the best way to optimise their workforce. Automation provides a great opportunity to overhaul practices and ensure your business remains resilient for the future.
To find out more about how Piney Bowes can help you leverage automation and future-proof your business, contact the team today.