How do you really succeed with Automation Technology? Part 3 of 3
Blog: Capgemini CTO Blog
With most emerging technologies focusing on automation, I’ve decided to share some insights on working with automation – or more accurately – how you can succeed in such initiatives. This is Part Three in a series of three articles.
In this final article, I want to give you some clear insights and direction on how you can start – and continue to work and be successful with automation technology.
So how do you really succeed with emerging automation technologies? The best place to start is with renewing the way you work, which means re-engineering processes to ensure their effectiveness before automating them. This is also something that will help you in additional areas, as automation is not always the solution. If you have inefficient processes, automating them will just magnify the inefficiency.
Standardize, simplify, renew
By standardizing and simplifying or renewing old processes, you will also be successful in implementing the new technologies that emerge. Any company that starts working with automation technology must set a company strategy for implementing these new technologies to make the most of their efforts. This is typically manifested in the form of a Center of Excellence (CoE), which works with implementation around the technology. In a CoE, everything is determined – from the assessment of potential processes – to the company’s strategy for work with the new technology.
Put your customers at the heart of your automation efforts – but don’t forget about your employees too
An important priority when it comes to automation technology is to always put your customer at the center. One example is found within the airlines, which have managed to succeed internationally with low cost travel concepts. Several airlines came out early with self-service offerings such as check-in, mobile apps and a better airport experience overall. The experience around the flight itself is designed to suit the customer. This is also relevant for companies that do not work with customer relationships, as employees will be the users of new implementations. In order to focus on the customer, you must also concentrate on facilitating the new implementations for interaction with corporate employees.
In addition, successfully implementing automation technology within your company requires comprehensive, critical planning to master the changes new technologies bring. As mentioned earlier, the foundation for work with automation technology lies within the CoE, which is responsible for a company’s automation strategy.
It is important to prepare for long projects – as getting started with this type of venture will be a long process – before your company can benefit from the initiative. This is opposite when compared to today’s Robotic Process Automation (RPA) projects, where short-term process automations are being developed and implemented in typically 2-10 week projects, with a fast Return of Investment (ROI).
By going into the work with automation technologies in the right way, you will prevent the need for going back and fixing things that were forgotten along the way. You should set a clear strategy, and provide the resources needed for properly starting the initiative. Finally, there are many ways to succeed with these emerging technologies – and the instructions provided in this article are key to avoid the many pitfalls that exist.
Also, read part 1 and part 2 of how do you really succeed with automation technology series.
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