CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Automation refers to the use of computers and other automated machinery for the execution of business-related tasks. Automated machinery may range from simple sensing devices to robots and other sophisticated equipment. Automation of operations may encompass the automation of a single operation or the automation of an entire factory.
There are many different reasons to automate. Increased productivity is normally the major reason for many companies desiring a competitive advantage. Automation also offers low operational variability. Variability is directly related to quality and productivity. Other reasons to automate include the presence of a hazardous working environment and the high cost of human labor. Some businesses automate processes in order to reduce production time, increase manufacturing flexibility, reduce costs, eliminate human error, or make up for a labor shortage. Decisions associated with automation are usually concerned with some or all of these economic and social considerations.
For small business owners, weighing the pros and cons of automation can be a daunting task. But consultants contend that it is an issue that should not be put off. “We are creating a new ball game,” wrote Perry Pascarella in Industry Week. “Failure to take a strategic look at where the organization wants to go and then capitalizing on the new technologies available will hand death-dealing advantages to competitors raditional and unexpected ones.”
By automating business policies and best practices, removing manual tasks, and eliminating error-prone reentry of information, BPA boosts individual and team efficiency, which enables organizations to deliver results faster and with greater predictability. Automation Better decision making by providing real-time insight into key business metrics and providing proactive alerts and notifications, Business Process Automation gives broader insight into essential business processes critical to your business and provides real-time analytics that enable you to make better decisions faster. Automation also enhanced operational excellence. Business processes in financial institutions are mission critical, demanding the utmost levels of reliability. Business Process Automation provides a rock-solid foundation that delivers the security, performance, scalability, and reliability demanded by the distributed, mission-critical systems of modern financial businesses.