What is Business Process Automation?

In today’s fast-paced business world, where time is money and efficiency is king, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. That’s why we thought we’d explore what business process automation is, how it benefits organisations, and where Flowingly fits in the BPA space. 

First things first: what is business process automation? At its core, business process automation (BPA) is all about streamlining and optimizing the way your company operates. By automating certain tasks and workflows, you can reduce the time and effort required to complete them, which frees up your team to focus on other, more strategic tasks. 

There are several ways that BPA can benefit your business. For one, it can help to increase efficiency and productivity. By automating previously manual tasks, you can cut down on errors and speed up the time it takes to complete them.  

This, in turn, can save your company both time and money in the long run, like in the case of SIT, where their finance team removed 1,200+ hours (150 working days a year) of wasted process admin time in just six months. 

Another key benefit of BPA is that it can help to improve the quality of your work. By automating your processes, you can ensure they are being done consistently and accurately every time. This can be particularly useful in industries where even minor errors can have serious consequences. 

But how does Business Process Management (BPM) differ from Business Process Automation (BPA)? 

Business Process Automation (BPA) is a specific aspect of Business Process Management (BPM) that focuses on using technology to automate organizational tasks and processes. While BPM looks at the overall management and improvement of business processes, BPA specifically aims to reduce manual work through automation. 

BPA involves using software and tools to streamline workflows, eliminate human errors, increase efficiency, and save time. It allows companies to optimize their processes by replacing manual steps with automated actions, freeing up employees to focus on more complex or value-added tasks. It can lead to cost savings, faster turnaround times, and improved accuracy in completing tasks.

So where does Flowingly fit in the BPA space?  

At Flowingly, we don’t consider ourselves just traditional BPA software.  

There are two key reasons for this. 

We’re all about rapid and scalable business process automation, and often, BPA or BPM tools rely on IT support and development. 

We’ve combined multiple vital elements of business process improvement in one tool – everything from process mapping (like tools like Promapp) to automation (like tools like Nintex or Power Automate). 

Since Flowingly is a cloud-based, no-code automation platform, it makes it easier to automate workflows and streamline your operations. With our no-code builder, you can design custom workflows that automate everything from simple tasks to complex, multi-step processes without any IT resources. 

Even if you don’t have a background in automation or coding, you can easily design and implement workflows to help your business run more smoothly.  

Our goal is to bridge the gap between business and IT teams, empowering leaders from across the organisation to contribute their expertise and automate the processes that they run day in and day out.  

Instead of spending months building processes, our tool emphasizes visual process mapping, allowing users to map and automate processes end-to-end in just a few days, rather than weeks or months. 

Our real-time process analytics and insights help users make data-driven decisions for process improvement and identify bottlenecks. The real benefit, though, is constantly being able to fix those process issues. Sometimes even in a couple of minutes. 

We also recognize the importance of collaboration and communication within teams. Users can comment, provide feedback, and collaborate directly within flows, enhancing teamwork and continuously improving the way they work. No more static process maps collecting dust in a filing cabinet. 

In conclusion, business process automation (BPA) is a valuable tool that can revolutionize how companies operate. By automating tasks and workflows, BPA increases efficiency, productivity, and the overall quality of work. It saves time and reduces errors, allowing teams to focus on more strategic activities.  

Flowingly, as a cloud-based, no-code automation platform, offers a unique solution in the BPA space. With our visual interface, customizable workflows, and integrated mapping, we want to empower business teams to map and automate their processes without relying on IT support or development. 

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their operations and improve efficiency.  

Business process automation has emerged as a powerful solution, enabling organizations to automate those time-consuming admin tasks (think emails and approvals) and optimize their workflows.  

Within the realm of business process automation, two popular approaches have gained traction: no-code and low-code development. 

While these terms are often used interchangeably, they both have very different use cases and methodologies.  

In this blog post, we will delve into the nuances of no-code and low-code business process automation, highlighting their differences and exploring the benefits they offer. 

No-Code Business Process Automation 

No-code business process automation focuses on empowering non-technical users to build and automate processes without needing any knowledge around code or rules.  

That doesn’t mean no-code isn’t for technical teams, though. With no-code, technical users are also able to build at a much faster rate than is possible with low-code solutions. 

It provides intuitive visual interfaces and drag-and-drop functionality that enables users to create automated processes using pre-built components or templates.  

With no-code tools, users can design and deploy applications, automate data collection and analysis, and integrate various software systems—all without writing a single line of code. 

No-code platforms often rely on pre-existing connectors and integrations to streamline the automation process, enabling users to connect different software applications seamlessly. 

Low-Code Business Process Automation 

Low-code business process automation takes a slightly different approach.  

While it also emphasizes ease of use and accelerated development, low-code platforms cater more to technical users.  

These platforms provide a visual development environment with a higher degree of customization and flexibility compared to no-code tools.  

Users can create workflows and applications using a combination of visual modeling and coding, allowing them to leverage pre-built components and templates while also incorporating custom logic and functionality.  

Low-code platforms typically offer a wider range of integration options, enabling users to connect with various data sources and APIs to build more complex and tailored solutions. 

Key Differences and Use Cases 

Technical Knowledge

No-code platforms don’t require technical knowledge or coding skills, making them accessible to most business users regardless of background, department or technical proficiency.  

Low-code platforms, on the other hand, offer more advanced customization options, typically necessitating some level of coding proficiency. 

Customization and Flexibility 

Low-code platforms provide a wider range of customization capabilities, allowing users to incorporate complex business rules and more advanced integrations.  

No-code doesn’t offer a wide range of customization, but instead offers many out-of-the-box setups, which make it easier to use and rapid to build in. 

It’s also much easier to build processes visually, focusing on seeing the process rather than the rules and code that drive it. 

Development Speed 

Speaking of speed, no-code takes the crown if you’re looking to be the Usain Bolt when it comes automation. It’s all about rapid development, allowing you to sprint ahead with your creations.  

Low-code, on the other hand, is more like a marathon runner – as long as you have the resource for it, it can strike a nice balance between speed and flexibility, giving you more time for heavy integrations and customization. 

Resourcing 

No-code platforms enable non-technical users to automate processes without extensive programming knowledge. 

For automation, this means being able to tackle an automation project with the team you currently have. You won’t need to set up a specialised development function, and your IT team will love having the freedom to hand off some automation development back to the business teams. 

In contrast, low-code platforms offer advanced integration options that may require a heavier balance between semi-technical and technical expertise, potentially benefiting from a team of developers or dedicated IT resources to leverage the platform’s capabilities effectively. 

No-code and low-code business process automation both offer valuable solutions for organizations seeking to streamline their operations and enhance efficiency.  

No-code platforms provide an accessible entry point, enabling non-technical users to automate workflows without coding knowledge. 

 On the other hand, low-code platforms offer a higher degree of integration and complexity, catering to a broader range of technical proficiency levels.  

The choice between these two approaches ultimately depends on the specific requirements of your business and processes. 

In many cases, it’s not an either-or, it’s both. We’re seeing a lot of organisations implementing both no-code and low-code BPA, enabling both rapid development and complex integrations. 

Implementing an automation toolbox, rather than a single tool, has proven to be successful with some of our most accomplished of Flowingly customers as it helps eliminate scope creep and clear up the process backlog seen in traditional IT teams. By enabling business teams to help deploy over 30+ apps/automations annually alongside IT, some organisations are automating 7x more apps than when just using tools like Power Automate. 

If you’re interested in checking out some examples of customers successfully automating processes in both Flowingly and in power apps, check out our case studies with rhipe and Todd Energy. 

By understanding the differences and nuances of no-code and low-code business process automation, organizations can make informed decisions to drive their digital transformation efforts forward. 

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, where every minute counts and efficiency is crucial, staying ahead of the curve is essential.  

Enter business process automation (BPA) – a game-changing solution that empowers healthcare organizations to streamline operations, enhance patient care, and drive sustainable success.  

In this blog post, we’ll explore why embracing automation is not just a smart move but a necessity for healthcare organizations in 2023 and beyond. So, let’s delve into the world of automation and discover the transformative power it holds for healthcare. 

1. Prioritising Efficiency 

In healthcare, every second counts. By automating routine and repetitive tasks, healthcare organizations can free up precious time for their staff to focus on what truly matters – delivering exceptional patient care.  

Imagine a world where appointments are scheduled seamlessly, patient registration is a breeze, and paper forms are a thing of the past.  

With process automation, healthcare organizations can bid farewell to administrative headaches and focus on actively improving their customer and employee experiences. 

2. Safeguarding Patient Confidentiality 

In an era where data breaches send shivers down our spines, safeguarding patient information is non-negotiable.  

Process automation software works to fortify your defences and keep sensitive data under lock and key.  

With a meticulous attention to accuracy and strict security protocols, digital forms and confidential workflows can ensure that patient confidentiality remains unbreachable.  

Say goodbye to misspelled names and misplaced files, and hello to peace of mind. 

3. Streamlining Processes 

Picture this: a busy healthcare organization bustling with activity, doctors rushing from one patient to another, administrative staff buried under piles of paperwork, and files seemingly playing hide-and-seek. 

Process automation software can bring order to this chaos by streamlining those key workflows and documents.  

From patient onboarding to appointment scheduling and inventory management, automation sweeps through the corridors of healthcare organizations, ensuring seamless processes and minimizing delays caused by human error. 

4. Putting Care at the Forefront 

The patient experience lies at the heart of every healthcare organization.  

Automation can play a pivotal role in enhancing this experience by automating various touchpoints along the patient journey.  

From personalized appointment reminders and follow-up communications to seamless information sharing between departments, BPA ensures that patients receive timely, accurate, and coordinated care, leading to higher patient satisfaction levels. 

5. Cost Savings 

In today’s healthcare landscape, optimizing costs is a pressing challenge.  

No-code process automation offers a tangible solution for organisations, by reducing operational expenses and optimizing resource allocation.  

By automating tasks that would otherwise be super manual, healthcare organizations can minimize staffing needs, decrease the likelihood of errors and rework, and allocate their valuable resources more efficiently, leading to significant cost savings in the long run. 

6. Scalability and Adaptability 

Healthcare is an ever-evolving industry, with new technologies, regulations, and patient demands constantly shaping the landscape.  

Process automation provides healthcare organizations with the agility to adapt to these changes swiftly and seamlessly.  

Whether it’s incorporating new processes, or accommodating evolving compliance standards, automation ensures that healthcare organizations can keep pace with the dynamic nature of the industry. 

7. Informed Decision-Making 

Data-driven decision-making is the bedrock of success in healthcare.  

Automation can help you harness the power of data analytics, providing valuable insights into operations, patient trends, and financial performance.  

By automating data collection, analysis, and reporting, automation can help your team empower stakeholders to make informed decisions, drive continuous improvement, and achieve better patient and employee outcomes. 

In an industry where every second counts and patient well-being is paramount, healthcare organizations cannot afford to overlook the transformative potential of business process automation.  

By embracing process automation, these organizations can unlock a new era of efficiency, data security, enhanced patient experiences, cost savings, and adaptability.  

Embracing automation allows healthcare organizations to elevate their operations, deliver exceptional care, and thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.