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6 Business Boosting Benefits of an Automation CoE

In the digital age, automation is becoming increasingly important for businesses to remain competitive. According to Forrester’s predictions, one-third of European enterprises are prioritizing data-driven automation, namely robotic process automation (RPA), as of 2023. At the same time, less than 20% of companies are able to automate their workflow and gain a competitive edge.

As technology continues to advance, it is crucial for enterprise businesses to embrace automation and the efficiencies it can bring. An automation center of excellence (CoE) can be a powerful tool for organizations looking to streamline their operations, reduce costs, and increase productivity. By leveraging automation technologies such as RPA, AI, and ML, businesses can automate a wide range of tasks and processes, from simple data entry to complex decision-making.

With careful planning and execution, an automation CoE can help businesses stay ahead of the competition and succeed in the digital age. What does it mean? Let’s explore the six benefits businesses get from building an automation CoE.

 

Improved efficiency and productivity

Automation can significantly increase efficiency and productivity by reducing the time and effort required to complete tasks. With automation, repetitive and time-consuming tasks can be completed faster and with greater accuracy. This frees up employees to focus on more strategic tasks that require human expertise, ultimately increasing productivity and driving business results. In addition, automation can improve workflow and collaboration by streamlining processes and ensuring consistent communication across teams.

 

Cost savings and better ROI

By automating processes, businesses can achieve significant cost savings and improve their ROI. For example, automating manual processes such as expense reporting, data entry and invoice processing can reduce labor costs and increase processing speed, ultimately leading to cost savings. In addition, automation can reduce errors and minimize the need for rework, which can further reduce costs. By improving efficiency and productivity and reducing errors, businesses can see a tangible return on investment in their automation initiatives.

 

Increased accuracy and quality

Automation can improve the accuracy and quality of processes by reducing the potential for human error. It can ensure that processes are completed consistently and accurately, eliminating the potential for errors that can occur with manual processes. This can be particularly beneficial for processes that require a high degree of accuracy, such as financial reporting or compliance processes.

 

Enhanced compliance and risk management

By ensuring that processes are completed consistently and in accordance with regulatory requirements, automation can improve compliance and risk management. Additionally, it can provide a complete audit trail of process steps, making it easier to identify and address compliance issues. By reducing the potential for errors and ensuring consistent adherence to regulations and policies, businesses can minimize their risk exposure and improve their compliance posture.

 

Greater agility and innovation

Through automation, businesses become more agile and innovative, streamline processes, and enable faster decision-making. By automating routine tasks, businesses can free up employees to focus on strategic activities such as product development, customer engagement, and innovation. In addition, automation can enable faster decision-making by providing real-time data and insights, ultimately enabling businesses to respond quickly to changing market conditions and customer needs.

 

Improved customer experience

Automation can improve the overall customer experience by streamlining processes and providing faster and more accurate responses to customer inquiries. For example, automating customer service inquiries can reduce wait times and improve the accuracy and consistency of responses. Similarly, automating order fulfillment and delivery processes can improve the speed and accuracy of shipments, leading to higher levels of customer satisfaction. By delivering a smooth and effective customer experience, businesses can enhance customer loyalty and generate recurring revenue.

 

How to implement an automation CoE

Implementing an automation CoE requires careful planning and execution. Here are some key considerations for businesses looking to establish an automation CoE:

1. Identify areas for automation. Businesses should identify areas where automation can have the greatest impact. This may include high-volume, repetitive tasks, or tasks that are prone to errors.
2. Set goals and KPIs. Businesses should set goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) for their automation initiatives. This will help them measure the success of their automation CoE and track progress over time.
3. Establish a governance structure. Businesses should establish a governance structure for their automation CoE. This may include a steering committee, a project management office, and a set of guidelines and standards for automation initiatives.
4. Build a cross-functional team. An automation CoE should be staffed by a cross-functional team with expertise in automation, process improvement, and project management. This team should work closely with business units across the organization to identify opportunities for automation.
5. Choose the right technology. Businesses should choose the right technology for their automation initiatives. This may include robotic process automation (RPA), artificial intelligence (AI), or machine learning (ML) technologies.
6. Provide training and support. Businesses should provide training and support to employees to ensure they have the skills and knowledge necessary to work with automation technologies.

 

By establishing an automation CoE, businesses can streamline their automation initiatives, reduce costs, improve process quality, and better manage risk and compliance. Ultimately, businesses can increase their competitiveness, drive innovation, and improve their bottom line. With the increasing importance of automation in today’s digital landscape, an automation CoE is an essential tool for businesses seeking to drive success and growth in the years ahead.