Automation has increasingly become the norm in the business world. Companies of all sizes, from one-person online retailers to multinational enterprises with billions of dollars of revenue, have built integrated, automated technology suites. These “stacks” boost customer success, save valuable resources, and free up the time of employees.
If you’re currently in the market for workflow management software, you have a dizzying array of options to choose from. This problem is further compounded by the fact that apps often cater to different departments. For example, marketing automation software will be useless to the accounting arm of a company (and vice versa).
This article explores the different types of automation software, outlines how to pick an app that fits your business, and identifies several of the top platforms.
- Understand the Different Types of Workflow Automation Software
Workflow automation software is used to streamline and automate everyday business tasks. In so doing, it enables organizations to cut down on wasted resources while also achieving important key performance indicators (KPIs) more efficiently.
Dedicated automation platforms are used to complete the following objectives:
- Provide customer service
- Carry out routine data management tasks
- Run marketing and advertising campaigns
- Fulfill accounting responsibilities
- Track customer behavior and generate data-based insights
- Create, send and track business documents
Let’s take a closer look at the last area, document management, as it constitutes a core task of most businesses, irrespective of size or industry.
- Streamline Your Document Workflow Processes
Document workflows consume significant amounts of employee time and financial resources. Automating your document processes is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to make your business more productive.
Follow the steps below to streamline your document workflow:
- Identify areas for improvement: Map out your existing document workflow, accounting for all stages of the document lifecycle—creation, review, sending, follow-up, and renewal—in as much detail as possible. Then review each part and ask the question, “Can this be improved in any way?” In particular, pay attention to areas that demand significant investments of money or workforce time.
- Determine which tasks can be automated: Once you have clearly mapped out your document workflow, determine which parts of it you will automate. A comprehensive document management solution includes tools for streamlining most aspects of your workflow, including document creation, internal approval, tracking, follow-up correspondence, and more.
- Trial software providers and pick a solution suitable for your business: A well-chosen app is the lynchpin that holds an automated workflow together. It’s essential to evaluate different providers before making a decision. The most common choice is to opt for a general solution, like PandaDoc, that is suitable for businesses of all sizes (across a variety of industries). Alternatively, enterprise-level solutions like SAP Ariba are ideal for large organizations that deal with complex logistics. A tool like LinkSquares, which caters to a specific industry (in this case, the legal sector) may be more suitable for some.