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Workflow automation is the process of setting up automations for your manual, repetitive business processes or workflows

What is workflow automation?

Workflow automation is a way to make tasks happen automatically without needing people to do them manually. It helps businesses save time, reduce mistakes, and make sure things run smoothly.

With workflow automation, tasks are completed based on triggers and actions, following a set of predefined rules that keep operations efficient.

It follows the simple logic of "When this happens, do this." AI-powered automation further enhances this by simplifying complex workflows and handling data processing efficiently.

What is workflow?

A workflow is a series of tasks or steps within the apps that are followed to complete a particular process.

What is automation?

Automation is just making things happen automatically. At its core, it's a simple rule: WHEN something happens, DO something else. Even the most complex automation follows this basic idea.

Step 1: Trigger
Step 2: Actions

How does workflow automation work?

Automation follows a simple process:

1

Find repetitive tasks

Look for tasks that you do over and over again. These are perfect for automation.

2

Set up triggers

Decide what event will start your automation. This could be receiving an email, a form submission, or a specific time.

3

Define actions

Choose what should happen when the trigger occurs. This could be sending an email, updating a database, or creating a task.

4

Let automation do the work

Once set up, your automation will run automatically, handling the repetitive tasks for you.

5

Track and improve

Monitor your automations to see how they're performing and make improvements as needed.

Why is workflow automation important?

Many businesses deal with a lot of tasks every day. If done manually, these tasks take time and effort. Automating workflows helps in many ways:

Saves time

By automating repetitive tasks, you free up time to focus on more important work that requires human creativity and decision-making.

Reduces errors

Automated processes follow the same steps every time, which means fewer mistakes compared to manual work where people might forget steps or make typos.

Improves team productivity

When routine tasks are automated, your team can spend their energy on strategic projects that help grow the business.

Helps you scale

As your business grows, automation lets you handle more work without hiring more people for routine tasks.

Examples of workflow automation

Workflow automation is used in many industries to speed up work. Here are some common examples using the "When this happens, do this" logic:

Marketing

When someone fills out a contact form on your website, automatically add them to your email list and send a welcome email.

Sales

When a potential customer downloads a brochure, automatically create a follow-up task for your sales team.

AI can analyze customer behavior and suggest the best follow-up approach.

HR

When a new employee is hired, automatically create accounts for them in all necessary systems and send them an onboarding checklist.

Customer Support

When a customer sends a support email, automatically categorize it and assign it to the right team member.

AI can understand the content of emails and route them more accurately than simple keyword matching.

What are the features to look for in workflow automation tools?

Ease of use

The tool should be easy to set up and use, even if you're not technical. Look for drag-and-drop interfaces and clear instructions.

Role-based controls

While creating workflow automation for an approval process, having access controls based on organizational hierarchy will help you better secure data.

Dashboards & reports

You should be able to visualize key performance indicators, and analyze business data with interactive charts, gauges, tables, and more, within a few clicks.

Seamless integrations

Choose workflow automation tools that have pre built integrations with ERPs, payment gateways, third-party vendors, and authentication services.

Mobile support

For in-the-field jobs, mobile support is crucial. Look for a workflow automation system that supports easy mobile access.

Extensibility

In case you want to incorporate more functionalities to your automated workflows, the platform should provide options like APIs and custom functions, to make your process as customizable as possible.

How to start with workflow automation

If you are new to automation, follow these steps:

1

Start small

Pick one simple, repetitive task that annoys you. This could be copying data between systems or sending the same email over and over.

2

Map it out

Write down every step of the process. What triggers it? What actions need to happen? What's the end result?

3

Choose your tools

Look for automation tools that connect the apps you already use. Many tools offer free trials so you can test them out.

4

Build and test

Create your first automation and test it thoroughly. Make sure it works correctly before letting it run automatically.

5

Monitor and improve

Keep an eye on your automation to make sure it's working as expected. As you get comfortable, you can add more complex automations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Workflow Automation?

Workflow automation uses software to perform repetitive tasks automatically based on predefined rules, saving time and reducing manual effort. It streamlines processes by connecting different apps and systems to work together seamlessly.

How does Workflow Automation work?

Workflow automation works by using software to automatically complete tasks or processes based on pre-set rules or triggers. It eliminates manual effort, making operations faster and more efficient.

What is a Workflow Automation tool?

A workflow automation tool is software that automates tasks and processes based on defined rules. It helps streamline operations by reducing manual work and improving efficiency.

Why should I use workflow automation?

Workflow automation saves time by reducing repetitive tasks and errors. It boosts efficiency, allowing teams to focus on more important work.