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5 Indicators That It’s Time to Automate Your Business Processes

You probably know that workflow and process automation could help your business. But how, specifically? What’s reasonable to expect? And do you really need to automate, or will the automation systems, in a year’s time, just become more software requiring employee training and ongoing repairs?

At InStream, we help companies of all sizes and from all sectors (Financial, Government, Healthcare, and more) integrate workflow automation systems that improve efficiency and help save costs.

  • We helped Ruby Tuesday develop an accounts payable automation workflow for processing their 1,500 daily invoices. Now they’re able to accumulate and process forms and invoices from all of their locations in a timely manner. (Learn more.)
  • We helped North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company streamline their mailroom operations, eliminating labor costs that were previously required in processing over 12,000 payments and other pieces of monthly correspondence. (Learn more.)

Could your business benefit from process automation? Check to see if any of these statements ring true with your company…

Indicator #1: “We would love to have greater visibility and report capabilities.”

It’s not uncommon for important tasks to fall through the cracks when there are bottlenecks in a workflow. Process automation helps businesses stay on track, in part by providing enhanced visibility and report capabilities for management. Automated processes help upper management get a better view of what’s actually going on in a workflow.

Indicator #2: “We would love to speed up workflows.”

With an automated rules-based workflow, your team can process faster. Plus, both employees and management can clearly see pending assignments and their due dates. We all want to simplify the complex in our organizations – with robust workflow processes, it’s possible.

Indicator #3: “We know we could be using newer technologies.”

There’s a saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but that doesn’t always apply to the modern business world. Sure, you might be able to technically get by with a decade old version of Microsoft Word, but you’re missing out on a lot of new functionality by delaying an upgrade.

In the same way, the file cabinet and paper system your human resources department uses may technically work, but an HR automation system could drastically reduce labor and errors. With InStream, organizations in all sectors are able to utilize the latest technologies to keep their business moving forward. Not only is this approach efficient, but it can be affordable, too!

Indicator #4: “We could benefit from having an expert’s guidance.”

If your office technologies and processes are beginning to feel dated, then now is a great time to transition to automated processes (instead of rebuilding a slightly better version of an old system).

A common distraction for many teams is to get stuck in the shopping phase, obsessing about finding the “perfect software.” Rather than trying to fit your business to a software, you should prioritize your business’s objectives and leave it to the experts to find (or develop) the perfect match. That’s where InStream excels. We help businesses define their needs. Then, we recommend and implement solutions that fit their requirements.

Indicator #5: “We would love to boost our team’s confidence.”

When systems aren’t working well, it can affect morale in an organization. Maybe your team could find a confidence boost through receiving tools that make it possible for them to speed up essential processes? Electronic forms, rapid search tools, and advanced reporting software can ensure your team has everything it needs to increase speed and work with greater confidence and satisfaction! Want to learn more? Take a look at The 10 Essential Questions: Workflow Processes. Get the full e-book here. 


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