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6 Things to Consider When Choosing an Automation Solution

by Apr 24, 2023Process Improvement

With so many process automation solutions, it can be hard to know where to start. 

That’s why we thought we’d put together a list of a few key considerations businesses should have when weighing up their options. 

Here are six things to consider when choosing a process automation solution: 

Ease of use  

Automating processes shouldn’t feel like you’re trying to create the Mona Lisa in Microsoft Paint.   

Unless you have a large team of developers dedicated to automation projects (not sure this even exists), you’re going to need software that is easy for your business teams to use.   

Look for software with an intuitive interface that doesn’t require a computer science degree to operate.  

Flexibility  

You don’t want a solution that ties you down to a rigid process.   

We’ve seen our fair share of horror stories about teams spending thousands of dollars getting processes automated just for those processes to change. Again and again.  

True continuous process improvement comes from identifying ways we can improve a process, not just automating it and never touching it again because it’s too expensive.  

Look for software that can adapt to changes in your business or industry, preferably a tool that allows you to make changes on the fly.  

Compatibility   

Every tool won’t work for every process. You don’t want a tool that’s a square peg in a round hole.   

Power Automate is an incredibly powerful tool for organizations looking to create highly technical system-to-system workflows. It’s not as great for your internal processes or manual form-based processes. 

Some of our best customers have a mix of solutions, an automation toolbox built with Flowingly and Power Automate.  

Look for software that will best help you achieve your business goals, even if it’s not Flowingly!   

Scalability   

You don’t want a solution that crumbles like a house of cards when you start to grow. With a lot of process automation tools, big ambitions can mean high costs and extensive resources.  

Don’t just think about your current needs, but also think about where you want your business to be in the next few years.  

Say you’re only able to automate one process a year. In that case, you likely won’t seeany real process improvement momentum and struggle to justify the investment.  

Look for software that allows you to scale your automation efforts – this could be the difference between automating 30 processes in a year or 2.  

Analytics and Reporting  

You don’t want a solution that leaves you in the dark.   

When evaluating process automation solutions, consider what kind of data and metrics you need to track and how you want that data to be presented.   

Ideally, the tool should offer real-time analytics, so you can see how your workflows are performing and make adjustments on the fly.     

Look for software that can help you shed light on the gaps in your processes, so you can make data-driven decisions and real, tangible improvements to the way you work.  

Visibility 

Visibility is crucial when choosing a workflow automation solution.  

Just because your processes are mapped that doesn’t mean they’re being followed. 

You need to be able to see where you are in a process, who’s responsible for the next step, and when it’s due.  

Look for a solution that will provide you with a clear and intuitive view of your workflows, allowing you to easily track progress, identify bottlenecks, and adjust as needed. 

Bonus: Customer Support  

You don’t want customer support that ghosts you when things go wrong.   

Ideally, the solution you’re looking at offers multiple support channels, such as email, phone, and chat, with a transparent and responsive support policy.   

You should also consider the availability of support and the quality of the support team on offer. If your processes are running 24/7, your software support should be too.  

With some solutions, if you’re a customer but aren’t paying at the enterprise tier, you may be missing access to crucial support.  

So, there you have it! Choosing the best process automation solution for your business is a big decision. However, if you consider these six factors, you should be able to find a solution that makes your life easier and helps you work smarter, not harder.  

When evaluating different solutions, remember to prioritize ease of use, flexibility, compatibility, scalability, analytics and reporting, and customer support. And don’t forget to think about your unique business needs and processes when making your final decision.  

With the right process automation solution in place, you can say goodbye to tedious tasks and hello to more time to focus on what really matters – growing your business and creating incredible customer and employee experiences. 

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