You are probably asking yourself, “What Is Automation Technology”? Simply put, Automation Technology is a technology process that streamlines business operations with limited human assistance. The next question you may be asking yourself is, Why do I need to know about this? If you are like me & you are a consumer or business owner, you have probably use an automated system at some time & point. For instance, when you get gas, or go to the ATM! These are automated technology systems.
As a consumer we have more automation interaction than human interaction on a daily basis. For some people this can be a challenging thing to handle. A good example of this is when you call a customer service line & get a (VRU) Voice Response unit. We have all heard that! Press 1 for this, 2 for that, & if you're lucky you get, “press 0 to reach an operator”. This is automation at it's best! But these days it is more than just ATM's, Store Self Checkouts, & VRU's. The Rise of Automation has increased 10 fold with mid-sized & corporate businesses. However small businesses & entrepreneurs are starting to use automation to streamline their businesses due to lack of man/woman power. So what does all this mean for consumers? Learn to get comfortable with automation because moving forward, anything that required man/woman power will most likely be an additional fee to speak with a live human in most cases or no human interaction at all.
How to adapt to automation technology as a consumer?
The best way to adapt to automation technology as a consumer is to get a basic understanding of how it works. The good news for consumers is automation is now transparent which means that there is less fine print & better instructions on how to use each system. With the rise of AI it will get better moving forward. But don't be surprised when a robot is your cashier or waiter one day! This is the future of technology that we are moving towards.
Companies That Use Customer Automation Technology
Amazon | Uber | Redbox | Netflix | Google | Starbucks | Paypal | Geico | Smith's | Facebook | Wix | Yelp | Tropical Smoothie | Verizon
And much, much more!
What can I automate in my business?
For business owners automation can assist with your day to day operations & help streamline your processes. What can I automate in my business? The answer is varies per industry but for most industries they are able to automate things like Marketing, Sales Funnels, Social Media, Websites, Time Management, Emails, Phone Calls, Text Messaging, Blogs, customer management, & much more.
What you need to know as a business owner before automating your business
(BPA) Business Process Automation also known as “Business Automation” or “Digital Transformation” can streamline a business for simplicity, achieve digital transformation, increase service quality, improve service delivery, or contain costs. This is done by integrated applications that work with your current software and systems. But before you start implementing a BPA you have to have a business plan or blueprint of your entire operation. The more information that you can provide to a technical automation consultant with the more they can help in strategizing and implementing your digital transformation.
Here are some key business segments that you may consider for automation.
Marketing
Social Media
Sales Processes
Emails, Calls, & Text
File Management & Organization
Customer Management
Website
IT Ticketing
And More
The more familiar you are with your day to day processes the better it will be to assist you in streamlining those processes.
Human Interaction & Engagement are still vital parts of your business!
It is vital as a small business owner that you engage and interact with potential customers. There is nothing more frustrating to a consumer than trying to get an answer and not being able to speak with someone. Please don't get me wrong, automation is a great solution to assist in streamlining your processes. However it does not replace human interaction. People still want to talk to people not robots.
“The goal of automation is to replace time consuming task with streamlined processes that require limited to no human interaction.”
Top 10 Automation Software & Tools
As a consumer what do I do with all this information?
As a consumer the only thing you have to do is adjust the old way of thinking. Automation is a billion dollar industry & it's here to stay. Think of automation as a new way to communicate with the companies you already use. Company communication now comes in varies methods like, phone calls, text messages, emails, Instant Messaging, online forms, website chat bots, & mobile applications.
What's the benefit of automation for consumers?
Faster Service
Ease of Use
Convenience
Tracking
& more.
With today's automation you don't even need to leave your house.
As a business owner what do I do with all this information?
Great question! If anything this helps you understand the automation landscape & think about your current business processes. Think of what would help save you time and money so you can focus on the more important aspects of your business. Once you have done that, speak with a technical consultant who has experience with multiple automation platforms. This is important because their experience will help match the right automation platform with the segment of your business that you want streamlined. In addition they will assist you in creating an automation blueprint of your business.
Will this cost me a lot of money?
With all the automation systems out there a consultant can help you find an affordable platform that fits your business needs.
Are You Ready To Automate Your Business?
If YES, please visit our website & book a free phone consultation. Our Technical Automation Consultants will reach out to assist you.