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The Importance of Business Process Automation in Today’s Modern World

Jonathan B. Harrison

Purdue Global
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Business and Automation

There has been a shift in the use of technology within the modern business world.

Technology has become more a part of everyday life and being in tune with the digital world is

critical to having a successful business. Most cell phones today have more computing power than

the Orion spaceship that was used to take astronauts to the moon (Rosoff, 2014). It is no surprise

then that with so much technology readily available in the palm that even more powerful

computing technology and automation would be used for simple business processes. Business

process automation, known as BPA, is the use of technology to execute repetitive tasks or

activities in a business where manual labor can be substituted. Today, it is evident that business

process automation is essential for operational growth ("The Importance of Business Process

Automation", 2017). For a business to be competitive in the 21st century, incorporating some

form of business process automation is critical; it is done to increase efficiency, streamline

processes, and minimize cost.

Many organizations to include colleges use automation in business processes to increase

efficiency. Purdue University is a great example. Purdue University uses automation throughout

the processes of initial enrollment and on-boarding of students. The financial aid checklist is a

great example of this. The checklist is presented on a webpage and as documents are submitted

red circle changes to a green checkmark. The documents are being submitted to an automated

machine that is programmed to make those changes and simultaneously check for errors.

Normally, in the past, documents would be sent to a person and those documents would be

reviewed by a human. In this instance business process automation aides in the time for students

and the financial aid office to receive confirmation and accuracy of documents. Not only does

this cost less than paying an employee but it also works faster, is more accurate, and efficient. It
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can also be programmed to notify necessary personal and departments completely on it's own

creating a streamlined process.

In addition to increasing efficiency, business process automation also streamlines certain

processes. Streamlining is used in on-boarding employees, purchase orders, time and attendance

tracking, amongst many other tasks (Achuthan, 2019). A streamlined process means fewer

interruptions and fewer mistakes. Accountability, valued feedback, and quicker processing times

make it easier to reduce uneconomical tasks and put more concentration on boosting

responsibilities that enhance value. Automated streamlining and increased efficiency together

reduce the time it takes for businesses and customers to make successful transactions. Processes

such as purchasing orders, invoicing, and sending emails are streamlined in a way to increase

efficiency.

Consequently, increasing efficiency coupled with streamlining processes results in

minimized cost. The Ford Motor Company adopted the concept of automating its business

processes early on to minimize the costs of manufacturing cars and increase profit. In 1913,

Henry Ford installed the first moving assembly line for the mass production of an entire

automobile. Ford found a way to build their automobiles more efficient and streamlined the

processes. His innovation reduced the time it took to build a car from more than 12 hours to two

hours and 30 minutes. As of 2013, Ford could produce approximately 16 vehicles every 60

seconds around the world ("Ford, Go Further", 2019). The assembly line was the first step to

increase efficiency and streamlining a process but as more technology developed and became

available certain tasks became completely automated. The Ford Motor Company was able to

improve efficiency while simultaneously minimizing cost tremendously. If Ford had not adopted

the automation of business processes they would not exist today.

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To summarize, utilizing automation is essential to be competitive in the 21st century.

Business process automation minimizes cost, increases efficiency, and streamlines tasks. The

world is constantly changing due to technology; these changes must be accepted and welcomed.

If overlooked or unwelcomed a business will be left behind. Bill Gates said, "The first rule of

any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will

magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will

magnify the inefficiency." ("Why You Need to Automate Your Business Right Now", 2018).

Business process automation is often overlooked when seeking ways to improve a business'

efficiency and find a competitive edge. Business process automation not only increases what

processes are already efficient but helps to identify where improvements can be made.
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References

Achuthan, N. (2019). The Complete Guide to Business Process Automation. Retrieved from

https://kissflow.com/bpm/business-process-automation/reasons-why-you- automate-

your-business-process/

Ford, Go Further. (2019). Retrieved from https://corporate.ford.com/articles/history/100-years-

moving-assembly-line.html

Rosoff, M. (2014). Your Phone Is More Powerful Than the Computer in The Spaceship NASA

Launched This Week

The Importance of Business Process Automation. (2017). Retrieved from

https://www.aberdeen.com/opspro-essentials/importance-business-process-automation/

Why You Need to Automate Your Business Right Now. (2018). Retrieved from

https://medium.com/swlh/why-you-need-to-automate-your-business-right-now-

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