From File Conversion to Process Automation: How Digital Technology Transforms Data Workflows

What is digital workflow transformation?

Before we dive into details, we should take a moment to look at what exactly digital workflow transformation is. Digital workflow transformation is the process of using technology to optimize business processes and make them easier to deal with. It includes:

• Process automation
• Integration of diverse platforms
• Data analytics and predictive data analytics in particular

All of these things can make your work life infinitely easier. Regardless of whether you are looking to automate your financial processes, convert files such as MP4 to MPG, conduct analytics on your sales history or any other process. Digital workflow transformation will reduce your workload and make your results infinitely more streamlined and accurate.

Recommended reading: Process Automation: Driving Business Growth with Technology

Benefits of digital workflow transformation

A full 94% of companies admit to performing needlessly repetitive tasks. It doesn’t have to be this way.There are innumerable benefits to implementing digital workflow transformation. These include:

• Increased efficiency among you and your staff. When you don’t have to spend time on laborious tasks, you are free to work on larger, more strategic plans.
• Reduced operational expenses. When you automate with digital processes, you don’t have to spend money on staff that conduct manual processes.
• Optimized communication between team members. When data is clear and accurate, it is easier for staff members to communicate and conduct projects efficiently.
• Real-time updates. Numbers and other data can change frequently. With many digital programs, you get real-time updates so your numbers will always be accurate.

Things to keep in mind

For all the benefits that digitization entails, there are also some things you should keep in mind. These include:

• Getting your staff on board might be a challenge. Many people are technophobic and stuck in their ways. Therefore, you should conduct thorough training sessions with your staff to make sure they are fully confident with new software.
• Integration. Sometimes newer products have compatibility issues with older systems. Be sure to do research on the precise programs you are looking to get and determine if they will work properly with your existing system. You might need to make upgrades.
• Getting the right fit for your company. Every company has its own way of doing things. Digitizing should be a way of complementing your company methods, not contradicting them. Consider looking into customized software.
• Maintaining your “humanity.” Although digitization can be a great thing, you don’t want it to replace human activity entirely. If you use chatbots, for example, monitor their usage to ensure they are addressing customers the right way, giving accurate information, etc.

Recommended reading: Machine Learning Algorithms in Business Process Automation

Conduct a review of your current workflows

Before you get started buying new products, it would be worth your while to conduct a thorough review of your current workflows to see precisely what you want to change. This includes:

• Deciding which tasks are redundant and need to be automated
• Determining any bottlenecks in your current processes
• Figuring out data entry points
• Mapping out your current workflows to determine how they should be improved

Automation doesn’t just mean blindly buying software for every single thing your business does. It means determining precisely which areas automating workflows would contribute to the betterment of your operations and selecting programs accordingly. You should devote sufficient time to this process so that you can make the right decisions.

Conclusion

Using digital technology to transform workflows is changing the way people work dramatically. It reduces manual labor time, makes things more efficient, streamlined, and accurate. Before you invest in digital technology, do your research on which programs would best suit your company’s needs. And be sure to check the quality of your chosen programs before you buy them.

Recommended reading: How AI Algorithms Transforming Intelligent Process Automation