Automation - Where to even start?

Automation has become an increasingly used buzz word amongst your most tech-savy friends as companies look for ways to supercharge their workflow and improve efficiency. The ability to automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks has proven to be a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes, helping them to save time, reduce costs, and increase accuracy. Often coupled with it's best friend, AI, Automation sits in a class of it's own and can start to serve you today.

Break it down

In today's competitive business environment, automation is set to play a critical role in streamlining and optimising workflows, allowing companies to stay competitive and meet the demands of their customers. Doing more with less, it's the dream right? Here are just a few of the ways that automation is making it happen:

Improved productivity: By helping to reduce the time and effort required to perform certain tasks, your team is freed up to focus on more valuable activities. It is as simple as automating repetitive and manual tasks so you can increase overall productivity and get more done in less time.

Increased efficiency: Automation helps to standardise processes, reducing the risk of human error and increasing efficiency. This is especially important in industries where precision and accuracy are critical, such as finance and healthcare. It's not just about a higher output, it's about smarter ways of approaching the work.

Improved accuracy: Automated systems are designed to perform tasks consistently and accurately, which is simply magic when it comes to reducing the risk of errors and improving the quality of output. This increased accuracy can help to reduce the cost of rework and improve overall efficiency. Doing it once, doing it right!

Enhanced customer experiences: Stay with me here. Automated systems can help to improve the customer experience by providing faster and more efficient service. For example, chatbots and virtual assistants can provide quick and accurate answers to customer questions, reducing wait times and improving customer satisfaction. This works to a point, and can give your business a 24/7 presence without the overhead of manpower.

Increased competitiveness: By automating their operations, companies can stay competitive in an increasingly crowded and fast-paced marketplace. Automation allows businesses to scale quickly and respond to changing market demands, helping you to stay ahead of the competition.

AI and Automation, what's the difference?

Automation and AI are often linked, but they’re not the same. Automation is about using technology to carry out repetitive tasks or processes with minimal human input—think of rules-based workflows or robotic process automation. AI, on the other hand, involves machines simulating human intelligence—learning from data, making decisions, and improving over time. While automation follows set instructions, AI can adapt and respond in more complex or unpredictable situations. You can automate without AI, but AI often needs automation to scale its impact.

How to start

To start engaging with automation, a typical organisation needs a few key foundations in place:

1. Clear Processes – You need well-defined, repeatable workflows. If a process isn’t mapped or understood, it’s hard to automate it effectively.
2. Digital Tools & Infrastructure – Automation requires the right tech environment. That means cloud-based systems, integrated platforms, and access to tools like Microsoft Power Automate, Rewst, and custom APIs.
3. Data Readiness – Clean, accessible data is crucial. Disconnected or messy data can derail automation efforts before they start.
4. Security & Access Controls – Automated tasks need to run securely and with the right permissions. Role-based access and cybersecurity hygiene are essential.
5. Change Readiness – Automation affects how people work, so an open culture, clear communication, and staff buy-in are critical for uptake and success.
6. A Pilot Use Case – Start small with a clear business case—like automating invoice approvals or leave requests—so you can demonstrate value before scaling.

Once these foundations are in place, automation can become a strategic enabler rather than just a technical project.

Our say

Automation is becoming an indispensable tool for businesses looking to optimise their workflow and improve efficiency. If you have a workflow that is clear and process driven that is a prime target for getting started. Whether you're looking to streamline your operations, increase your productivity, or enhance the customer experience, automation has the potential to help you achieve your goals. For example in our business, we have saved 1 FTE (thats roughly 160 hours a week) through automating our most common workflows and we can do the same for you.

With the right strategy, tools, and processes in place, your business can become more competitive, efficient, and productive, helping you to stay ahead of the curve in today's fast-paced environment. Give us a call and let's get started!