Workplace Automation for Today and the Future

When it comes to automation, images of self-driving vehicles or drones and robots of an advanced future tend to come to the mind of the …

Workplace-Automation

When it comes to automation, images of self-driving vehicles or drones and robots of an advanced future tend to come to the mind of the general public. But, do you know that automation has already appeared in many aspects of our daily lives, including at the workplace? And, this technology is here to stay.

Automation in Workplace Today

Thanks to the help of robots, artificial intelligence, and other technological breakthroughs, automation now can come in all shapes and sizes. In a workplace setting, the most popular form of automation is business software programs. These tools replace the need for human resources dedicated to repetitive and dull tasks or perform complicated calculations and algorithms that are too hefty for the average mind. We have made a blog of what are the benefits of RPA for your reference.

Automation in the workplace today
Automation in the workplace today helps people in so many tasks

According to Smartsheet’s Automation in the Workplace report, 86% out of the total of 1,000 responders said that this technology makes employees more efficient and productive. Furthermore, 78% reflected that it will allow them to spend more time on the interesting and rewarding aspects of their job. Thus, it is clear that automation is not only an efficiency improvement method for the organization but also serves as a motivation boost for people working there.

Thanks to the abundant strengths of automation, as well as its versatility and adaptability, automation, can now be found in any company and its department. The same publication from Smartsheet also reported that a majority of workers now employ automation in their day-to-day work.

Smartsheet's Automation in the Workplace report
Source: Smartsheet

Of those workers not using automation already, 28% said their department has plans to do so in the future “ with 75% of that group expecting it to happen within two years.

So what is the real-life of workplace automation today? Here are a few that will definitely hit close to home.

Real-life Applications of Workplace Automation

1. Analytics

analytics applications of workplace automation

Working with big numbers and a vast pool of data is a difficult task for any humans beings. Errors and mistakes are prone to happen. With automation software, on the other hand, this is a breeze. Many solutions using artificial intelligence, machine learning, robots, etc have been launched for this specific demand. They excel at extracting important details from the sea of data in a short amount of time, without fail.

2. HR

Human resources applications of workplace automation
With the help of automated hiring tools to scan desirable keywords, applications can be sorted quickly and effectively

Though robots and machines can indeed replace humans in many positions nowadays, the importance of having high-quality staff is no less significant. In fact, hiring the right kind of people can mean life or death to an organization. However, for headhunters, sifting through a plethora of applications is a strenuous task. With automated hiring tools scanning desirable keywords, applications can be sorted quickly and effectively, regardless of the number of applications.

3. Facility Management

Software such as Emaint, Kisi, or Comfy has been in use for a long time. They are used to improve working conditions for employees, at the same time maintain the efficiency of any facility management. There are so many tasks that automation can perform in this workplace: from data recording and measuring, and usage optimization to electricity saving and alert real-time issues.

4. Customer Support

Customer support applications of workplace automation

For international business, customers come from many different time zones. This causes many difficulties for in-house phone operators. This is where chatbots come in to help. They don’t require sleep like humans do, which means that they can work 24/7 to ensure customer satisfaction. In addition, these add-ons also shortened the email exchange process, as customers and chatbots can discuss directly through messages. Previously, chatbots are considered subpar to actual humans as their ability to process human languages is limited. But now, as time passes and their library expands, chatbots can easily pass as humans.

5. Meetings

Meetings applications of workplace automation

Meeting can be tricky in both big and small offices, but that can be changed with automation tools or software. Business owners can count on them on most tasks from scheduling, and finding a meeting space, to making sure all attendees show up.

A tool or app can easily compare availability and schedule, even if there are participants in different time zones. Moreover, automated office lobby displays can help visitors and customers aware of all the details of the meeting.

A Glimpse into the Automation of the Workplace’s Future

There is no doubt that automation will only expand in the future, entering more industries in more countries than today. No longer just add-ons and supporting software, in the future, the role of automation in the workplace will definitely become more vital and technical-driven. What this means is that automated tools will be customized to suit the specific demands, which typically require significant expertise, of different segments in the economy.

Technical potential for workplace automation across sectors
The technical potential for automation across sectors varies depending on the mix of activity types
(Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics; McKinsey Global Institute analysis)

At the same time, more automation will mean less human labor needed for replaceable positions. To some, this might be a scary vision ahead, with looming widespread unemployment. However, it has been proven by many research that automation will not make as many people redundant as many thought. Instead, it created an incentive for prospective employees to strive for higher levels of competence and efficiency to prove their value to the organization. Thus, automation will not only help enterprises improve their operational processes but also indirectly make their human workforce much stronger.

In conclusion, workplace automation is the way of the future and the only option that businesses have is to embrace it.

Workplace automation is the way of the future

CMC Global has long acquired strong competence in automation. In December 2019, CMC Global acquired 10 RPA Automation Anywhere certificates, proving our capacity to deploy automation projects. With extensive experience in RPA projects, we proudly offer our clients the highest quality IT solutions and services on the market with a competitive pricing policy.

Automate your Workplace today with CMC Global.