What is Business Process Automation?

Business Process Automation or BPA for short. This was a buzzword a few years back with anyone and everyone claiming they were experts in this area. Maybe so. But to really realize its true potential you need to understand what business process automation is and why you will need it?

If you own/run/manage a business, take a look around yourself at the daily activities you perform to run your business effectively and efficiently. If you do observe closely, you will quickly notice that you (or your staff) do perform a lot of tasks that are generally repetitive in nature or they may be administrative tasks; tasks that you have to perform and are necessary to run your business.

Let me elaborate that with an example. A customer calls and enquires about a product you market. You tell the customer you will send a product brochure. You take all relevant information like prospect name, address etc. and walk over to your secretary. Your secretary takes the information, chooses the appropriate brochure, creates a covering letter, puts it in an envelope and mails it to your customer. Sounds familiar, right?

Well, what if I told you that process automation automates the entire process above using the Internet? And all with zero involvement from you? Or anyone else from your organization? Would that be cool? Let me help you visualize it.

Your prospect comes over to your web site, browses and is now seeking more information on a specific product. You have the prospect fill in all relevant information from within your web site. When the prospect submits the information, your web site will automatically save the information electronically in a database and send a personalized email to your prospect (i.e. thanking him/her for the enquiry and providing instructions to download the brochure). Your system can also follow up automatically after a few days with that specific prospect asking if they have any other questions or if you could be of any help.

This is, in essence, business process automation. You are automating the different business processes within your business. The beauty of automating this is the zero-involvement from your business. Let's take this a step further. If the prospect does decide to buy the specific product, they can purchase it directly from your web site (via a shopping cart). Your web site will already know what your prospect had received so you can "speed up" the process by simply collecting payment information over a secure line, process the transaction and then send new shipping details to your customer. The prospects details now go into the customer database (because you have converted a prospect into a customer). The order details automatically get sent to your order-processing department for order fulfillment. When the order is shipped, your order-processing department updates the "system" with ETA for the product. Your customer can now automatically track the status of their order. And you can actually get an overview of how many orders were received, shipped, transacted; all through a browser. Even if you were holidaying and were miles away from home/office.

Can you think of all the costs you have saved by automating routine, mundane tasks that have typically needed human intervention in the past?

That, in essence, is the power of automation.

Elvin Picardo
Delivering Net Results to Small Business
Author of numerous articles on Web Development and Internet Marketing
10723 159th St, Surrey, BC V4N 3J1 Canada
http://www.netmedian.com

Contact me

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


How to Profit from Business Consulting Opportunities

Business consulting opportunities might be just what your are looking... Read More

1-2-3 Steps To A Successful Joint Venture

A successful joint venture marketing effort is the goal of... Read More

When and Why YOU Are the Best Writer for Your Business Plan

WHEN you are operating or planning a small business that... Read More

What Help is there for Veterans Starting a Business?

Some of the very qualities that attract people to the... Read More

Postcard Marketing Your Small Business

One of the best marketing strategies a business or organization... Read More

Top Ten Blunders Business Owners Make

In today's marketplace the words 'job security' have become an... Read More

Quality Controls for Franchising Companies Sample Outline

Quality control in franchising companies is paramount and all franchising... Read More

How to Promote Your Business by Entering Contests

You are probably hard at work promoting your business (and... Read More

North County San Diego Small Business

North County San Diego has had some significant growth, and... Read More

Survival Tips For Small Businesses

You may be in Mail Order, Direct Mail, or you... Read More

7 Advantages to Incorporating

There's no question that hard work and a little luck... Read More

Big Successes Never Happen Overnight

Treat your business as a serious, full-time business and be... Read More

11 Things Small Business Owners Can Learn From The Miracle On Ice

1. Know Where You're Going ? Coach Herb Brooks had... Read More

Youll See It When You Believe It - Growing Your Business from the Inside Out

What unspoken message are you sending your clients and customers?... Read More

Internships: Good for Everyone

Many job applicants want a job but often do not... Read More

One Of The Best New Business Opportunities May Be Right In Your Home - A New Daycare Business

The day care industry is expanding. There are now more... Read More

If You Want Business - Be Consistent

Why does consistency in the message have an effect on... Read More

If You Want To Be Remembered...

Send handwritten notes. That applies whether you're a guy or... Read More

Boat Cleaning Business Case Study: Entrepreneurship 101

How do marine type businesses start? Have you ever thought... Read More

SBIR vs STTR

SBIR vs. STTR: If you are participating in the SBIR... Read More

An Example of Business Automation - eCards with pizazz

The last time I spoke and went into a bit... Read More

Get Free Payroll Forms Download from the Internet

Having a successful business means also having a good working... Read More

Setting Prices - Pricing Your Consulting Services

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PRICINGIn case you hadn't noticed, people can... Read More

Small Businesses - Big Obstacles

Everyone is talking about small businesses. In 1993, when it... Read More

Window Cleaning Business Case Study

How do window cleaning franchise businesses start? It is a... Read More

FTC Report on Franchise Rule Making; What Purpose?

The Federal Trade Commission out of the blue decide in... Read More

Environmental Pressure Washing in Pennsylvania

If you run a mobile car wash, mobile fleet washing... Read More

Professional House Cleaning - The Dirty Little Secret

Are you tired yet of all the books out there... Read More

Creative Business Card Marketing

Announcements can be handed out as a business cardAnnouncements can... Read More

Do You Really Need a Toll-Free Number for Your Business?

Do You Really Need a Toll-Free Number for Your Business?... Read More

How To Ruin Your Business

If you're like the rest of us, you've spent a... Read More

Build Your Small Business by Building Relationships

-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --People do business with... Read More

The Hidden Treasure in Your Business

I started working with another new client last week. He... Read More