Why Process Automation is a Must

by Veronika Altenbach

BPM

03. March 2025 3 minutes

From Manual Processes to Smart Workflows – How Process Automation Works

Manual processes still dominate everyday work in many departments. Routine tasks consume valuable time, are prone to errors, and slow down productive workflows.

Yet, there are far more efficient solutions available: Smart workflows replace time-consuming and inefficient procedures with automated processes. This not only saves time and costs but also increases transparency and reduces errors.

But which processes are particularly suitable for automation? How can the return on investment (ROI) be measured? And what tangible benefits does process automation bring to everyday work? A look at successful real-life examples shows how companies benefit from process automation.

Which Processes Are Best Suited for Automation?

Not every process is equally suitable for automation. Processes are particularly well suited for optimization when they

are recurring and performed frequently,
follow clear rules and structures that can be mapped into workflows,
are data-driven and don’t require creative or subjective decisions,
are prone to errors when carried out manually.

Discover in our blog post «Maximizing Automation Potential» how to identify the processes that are best suited for automation using simple, practical methods.

The Benefits of Automating Processes

Process automation offers numerous benefits, delivering both short-term and long-term improvements:

Increased Efficiency

Automated processes operate faster and more seamlessly, eliminating the need for manual input.

Cost Savings

Reducing manual work lowers staffing costs and minimizes errors that often require expensive fixes.

Higher Process Reliability

Standardized processes minimize human errors and guarantee regulatory compliance.

Enhanced Scalability

Automated processes are easier to scale as requirements grow.

Improved Customer Satisfaction

Faster response times and reduced errors result in improved user experiences.

If you’re still looking for reasons why a process automation strategy is essential, we recommend our article: 6 Reasons Why You Need a Process Automation Strategy.

How to Calculate ROI

An important aspect when deciding on automation is the Return on Investment (ROI). The following factors play a key role:

Time and cost savings: How much time can be saved through automation?
Error reduction: What are the current costs caused by manual errors?
Speed and throughput: How many additional processes can be handled thanks to automation?

A simple calculation could look like this:

ROI = (Savings + Productivity Gains – Implementation Costs) / Implementation Costs

Many companies report that automation pays off within 6 to 18 months.

The right process orchestration can also help reduce costs and further increase efficiency. Learn more in our article: Save Costs and Boost Efficiency with Process Orchestration.

Conclusion

Process automation is a key driver of digital transformation in companies. It helps optimize inefficient, error-prone, and time-consuming processes. By using automation tools strategically, organizations can not only boost efficiency but also reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction. Those who invest in smart workflows today are securing the future of their business.