What is automation in workplaces?
Workplace automation involves using software and network-connected hardware to create automated workflows where a single action triggers multiple subsequent actions. It aims to streamline repetitive tasks, reduce manual effort, and increase productivity.
Examples include auto-sorting emails, calendar alerts, and onboarding flows where entering a new hire's name triggers automated emails, meeting scheduling, and welcome messages.
Benefits of automation in workplaces
- Time and cost savings: Automation reduces time spent on manual, repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on higher-value work. It can also cut costs associated with paper-based processes
- Increased employee satisfaction: By eliminating mundane tasks, automation helps employees feel more engaged and happier at work, leading to higher retention and attracting top talent
- Improved measurability: Automated processes generate data that can be analyzed to identify bottlenecks, celebrate successes, and make data-driven decisions
- Enhanced productivity: Tools like Findr use AI to streamline information discovery across multiple applications, helping employees find the information they need quickly and boosting overall productivity
Three use cases of workflow automation
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Workplace search automation: Findr automates workplace search by providing a single search interface across multiple applications like Gmail, Slack, Jira, and Drive. It uses AI to understand user queries, find relevant information, and provide direct answers with source references, saving employees time and effort in searching for the information they need to do their jobs effectively
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Sales automation: Lead enrichment tools create detailed prospect profiles, prioritize leads, and automate follow-up emails, while CRM automation streamlines the sales process
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Marketing automation: Tools like Pardot, HubSpot, and Marketo manage the entire customer journey, from acquisition to advocacy, automating email campaigns, tracking customer behavior, and collecting data at every stage
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HR automation: Automating onboarding, performance reviews, payroll, and other HR processes saves time and allows HR to focus on talent development and company culture. Tools like Zoho People, Bamboo HR, and PeopleHum cover many of these processes