TexasPGB logo artwork

Blog Layout

What are Your Top 3 Processes to Automate in 2021?

Patrick Boren • Jan 18, 2021
FREE Power Platform Process Automation Toolkit for Download

According to Gartner, organizations will soon be able to lower their operational costs up to 30% by combining hyperautomation technologies with redefined operational processes.  Hyperautomation is applying advanced technologies including robotic process automation, machine learning, and automating routine and complex business processes.


With such a wide variety of automation tools choosing the right automation strategy can seem overwhelming. At TexasPGB, we believe the most successful automation initiatives start with identifying the business processes and letting them guide your final process automation strategy.  


To identify the top 3 processes you should automate, download our FREE Power Platform Process Automation Toolkit. 

As mentioned, there are several options available for automating your business. One of our favorite low-code/no-code options is the Microsoft Power Platform. As a suite of 4 different tools, the Power Platform can automate routine tasks, customer support, data visualization, and more.


A few highlights on the effectiveness of the Power Platform are:

132,000 Worker Hours​

saved from streamlined automated activities​

4.3% Revenue Increase​

linked to more & faster development​

21.1% Decrease in Errors​

through data input ​

& user actions​

74% Cost Decreases​

for app development with a payback period of less than 6 months ​

Whether the Microsoft Power Platform becomes part of your automation strategy or not, here are key tips for finding the best processes to automate:


Focus on Your Business Goals


According to our Principal Consultant, Patrick Boren, “Too often, organizations implement technology for the sake of technology without considering the impact on their overall business goals.”​ It is easy to get distracted by the buzz words and top trends of digital transformation before deciding if a technology solution is the right to help your organization meet its objectives.


Before committing to any digital investment, automation or otherwise, it is critical to take a step back and clearly define what your business is trying to achieve both short-term and long-term. 

Take a Holistic Approach


85% of IT leaders report integration challenges are hindering their digital transformation efforts. These challenges can become increasingly cumbersome when automation projects are viewed only within their department or silo. Automation should be considered across an entire organization and its functions, from front-line workers to executives.


Follow these 3 tips to make sure you are considering your organization as a whole in your automation journey:

 

  • Think cross-functionally


  • Identify and involve transformation leaders across your organization


  • Engage your front-line during the initial 20%, not the last 20%


You can read more about engaging your workforce in digital initiatives here.

Top Tips for Process Automation and Digital Transformation Success

Identify Broken Processes 


A major pitfall to automation initiatives is contorting the technology to work around inadequate processes. Automation does not equal efficiency if the operations it supports are flawed. It can be incredibly costly to tailor a system to meet requirements that are well outside of the norm for a typical business process.


When evaluating processes that should be automated, ask the following - Is the process inherently flawed? If so, consider redesigning the workflow of the process before automation occurs. If the process is not flawed, but just cumbersome, this may be a good candidate for automation to start with.

Creating a scalable automated solution starts with picking the right processes and developing them over time. It is a continuous cycle re-imagining how to connect people, data, and processes to achieve operational excellence and monetize new efficiencies. If you are ready to identify your 3 most eligible processes to automate download our FREE Power Platform Process Automation Toolkit today! 


Share this post with others:
19 Aug, 2021
When it comes to automating processes around your business, it can simultaneously seem like everything can be automated, and absolutely nothing can be automated. As with many other things, the real answer is somewhere in the middle but can be a bit challenging to put your finger on. These projects usually start when someone at the strategic level of the organization has decreed that “we are going to automate!” and either they personally go on the hunt for what to automate or they hand it off to someone on their team to go do the leg work and come back with “automation” (maybe in a nice box with a bow on it). Sound familiar?
17 Aug, 2021
Data is everywhere. You’ve got a lot to focus on and it can be hard to stay on top of what’s going on with your business. Report creation in Excel is often time-consuming and can quickly become a nightmare. Modernizing your reports and streamlining your process with PowerBI to get more reliable and consistent reporting across all of your systems can be a game changer for your business. Read on to learn about three key acceleration tactics that our team uses on every implementation that we facilitate.
Infographic: How to Save time and Money with Microsoft Teams
By Patrick Boren 08 Feb, 2021
83% of knowledge workers require technology to work together. Microsoft Teams is a cloud-based collaboration and communication tool that lets workers share the right information to the right people all through one integrated platform. According to a Forrester report, The Total Economic Impact of Microsoft Teams, there are a variety of ways using Teams saves organizations time and money. Read and download the infographic to share here .
Top Features of the Power Automate App for Teams by Microsoft
By Patrick Boren 22 Jan, 2021
How to Get Started with the Power Automate app for Teams You can get started with Power Automate app in just 3 quick steps:  Click on the … in the left-hand corner of your teams browser Search for “Power Automate” Click on the Power Automate app icon and pin it to your left-hand Teams navigation panel
Top Microsoft Solutions to Watch in 2021
By Patrick Boren 06 Jan, 2021
It is no secret that 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic altered the reality of doing business. These changes are showing little signs of letting up and a lot of the adjustments made to respond to a remote workforce may very well become a permanent feature in daily business operations. As business decision makers (BDMs) and IT decision makers (ITDMs) head into a new year it is important to keep an eye out for technology solutions that can further support these operational changes while increasing efficiency. This post briefly highlights the top 3 digital solutions we have our eyes on for 2021 and our Microsoft-based clients.
Video Webinar Introducing Microsoft 365 Dynamics Project Operations
By Patrick Boren 31 Dec, 2020
In our latest video series, Patrick Boren, Principal Consultant at TexasPGB, introduces the newest addition to the Microsoft Project family, Microsoft Project Operations. In this video Patrick discusses: What challenges Project Operations aims to solve What is Project Operations and common use cases for the tool Who uses Project Operations Upcoming "Day in the Life" Sessions Watch the video or read the condensed transcript below.
Top Tips on How to Use Microsoft PowerBI to Avoid Data Overload
By Patrick Boren 19 Nov, 2020
Having a wealth of data at your fingertips is great, but what happens when your data is so vast that it takes you years to make a key discovery? A friend of mine told me a story recently about an experience he had. His first company conducted a VP meeting every quarter – everyone scrambling to put together their presentations and make their case based on the data from Excel spreadsheets. Departments and information tended to be segmented into silos. While much of the data could be shared across the company, rarely was it compiled in a way to show how one area of the business could affect another.
Solution Design SharePoint vs Common Data Service
By Patrick Boren 12 Nov, 2020
If you are looking to migrate your data to Microsoft 365 there are two common methods to funnel your data - SharePoint or Common Data Service (CDS). SharePoint solutions take advantage of lists and libraries. Data is housed, originated, and manipulated entirely within the SharePoint platform. CDS solutions use both standard and custom entities to collect and house data that is then integrated across the Microsoft 365 platform. Below we will review a few ways each method is different and what you should look for before making a final decision for your data migration plan.
How managed service providers and technology consultants are different and why you need both
By Patrick Boren 15 Sep, 2020
When it comes to technology, do you have a one-size-fits-all vendor? In today’s world of cost cutting, we see more and more organizations that end up missing out on huge technology opportunities by assuming a single vendor can and will do it all.  As a technology consulting firm, we’re frequently asked “aren’t you the same as my managed service provider (MSP)?” Fortunately, for those that ask, we’re able to shed light on how a Technology Consulting Firm varies from an MSP.
5 Reasons why a downturn is the right time for digital transformation
By Patrick Boren 11 Sep, 2020
Do More with Less Fact: Digitally mature companies are 23% more profitable than their less mature peers. When business gets tight, cost management is critical. For most businesses, scaling back is a hard thing to achieve without sacrificing quality or convenience. Through technical improvements, such as process automation, you can optimize your operations while decreasing costs previously related to implementing manual tasks. Executives say the top 3 benefits of digital transformation are:
More Posts
Share by: