Today, there is a widespread debate about the role of workplace automation in the future of economies worldwide. However, most people seem to agree on one thing: workplace automation will only grow as a trend in the coming years.
Today, automation is evident in virtually every business process from customer services to human resources to IT. As technology becomes more sophisticated, we will see even more automation of workplace tasks and business processes. Regardless of its outcomes, automation will almost certainly change the workplace and thus the wider economy. Here, we will look at 5 real-world examples of automation in the workplace.
5 Areas Where Automation is Evident in the Workplace Today
Most people today are scared of automation because they think this is the start of robots taking over their jobs. This is because there have been a lot of rumors in the past few years that workplace automaton could reduce or even eliminate many jobs. However, these are nothing more than just rumors.
The truth is that automation is here to help us rather than replace us. With automation, you can free yourself from the repetitive, time-consuming tasks to focus on more productive activities. This will help you to drive value at work which will be good for both your career and your organization. Automation is already making a positive impact in several areas in the workplace. Following are 5 real-world examples of this.
1. The Hiring Process
Ask most managers and HR people what they dislike the most and they’ll answer the hiring process. This is because it is toughest yet the most critical tasks for any organization. Typically, it would involve the HR people going through a sea of applicants for days, weeks, and sometimes a few months to find the ideal pool of candidates. Businesses can do without this time-consuming task.
The good news is automated hiring tools are helping businesses that have implemented them to sift through applications at great speeds and find the best candidates from a pool of thousands. A CareerBuilder survey shows that more than 70% of employers have been able to hire better candidates after using automated application tracking software.
Additionally, some automated recruitment and hiring tools leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce the hiring time and speed-up the screening process. Examples of these tools are BreezyHR, Smashfly, and Mya. With these automated tools, you can narrow down the hiring process to a few steps. These tools are being used by many companies today to sort through thousands of applications. These tools search for applicants based on specific keywords and skip those who lack the education or skills mandatory for the job. This leaves the hiring manages with a poll of candidates who meet at least basic criteria for the job.
2. Autonomous Vehicles
Also called self-driving vehicles, autonomous vehicles are becoming increasingly common in workplaces worldwide. Driverless cars, the autonomous vehicles have virtually endless applications. In China, these vehicles are helping the transform the transportation industry. In fact, some people predict that they could lead to millions of people in the country losing their jobs.
What are the benefits of autonomous vehicles that are encouraging their increased adoption in the workplace? Fewer accidents, lower fuel costs, and an increase in productivity. Autonomous vehicles are also making a place for themselves within many industries. A number of businesses and suppliers worldwide are using the technology to transport good and materials in an automated and convenient way. What is enabling this? Application programming interfaces, complex navigation systems, robotics cables, and onboard sensors.
3. Meetings
Meetings can be a tricky affair in both big and small offices. This is because they involve scheduling the meeting, finding a suitable venue for it, and ensure that all the necessary people show up. The good news is that automation tools are making this easier. An example of this is Doodle.
Using this tool, you can say goodbye to tedious group emails forever. This is because the tool makes it easy to compare availability and work out an appropriate time for the meeting. You can do this even if the people who need to attend the meeting are in different time-zones. In addition to Doodle, you can use tools like Teem to streamline face-to-face meetings. Using this tool, you can automate the meeting room displays to direct participants to the right room and let them know when they’re up.
4. Marketing Tools
Another area in the workplace where automation is evident is marketing. Marketing tools are completely transforming how businesses interact with their customers. Examples of these tools are intelligent chatbots and e-mail marketing software. Using the marketing tools, the marketing department can make many tasks less time-consuming.
A real-world example of a marketing tool that is automating marketing tasks is Marketo. Before this tool was launched, marketers everywhere had to create, design, and send emails to a wide range of contacts manually. With Marketo, they can simply enter their email-marketing campaign parameters, and everything will happen automatically.
For example, you can program the tool to send a follow-up email to people who opened the first email that you sent. Similarly, you can program chatbots to give automated responses to inquiries. This will allow businesses to deliver the desired customer service quickly while saving on both time and money.
5. Facility Management
In a small organization, facility management can be handled by only a few employees. At times, you may not need more than two or three people to maintain and repair the building. However, automation is almost necessary for larger organizations. In these organizations, automation systems assist the facility management team to take care of both the small and big tasks related to their work. This include thermostat adjustment and emergency repair alerts.
These are just 5 of the many real-world examples of how automation is changing the workplace today. For more examples of automation in the workplace, keep following us.
by Bobby J Davidson
We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the ‘Why Percento‘ page to learn more: Love of Technology and Business! As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm.
The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. percentotech.com/contact