Automation is one of the most feared new technologies. People accuse automation of taking human jobs and reshaping society.
But like all types of technology, automation’s effects depend upon how it’s used. For many small businesses, automation doesn’t take jobs or replace human contact. Instead, it’s used to complete boring, easy tasks to free up energy and time.
What does automation look like in small businesses? It isn’t always robots shuffling around the warehouse, or cobots helping humans pick accurately. Instead, it looks like computer programs and software that take care of tasks.
Read on to discover which tasks your business should automate.
1) Reporting
Do you or your employees spend several hours each day making reports in Excel? Those reports can usually be automated to save time. While it can be a difficult task to automate reports in Excel — as it includes a deep understanding of macros, or programming ability in languages like VBA and SQL — there are software programs that take the heavy lifting out of reporting.
Consider whether an ERP (Enterprise Resource Program) or WMS (Warehouse Management System) are better choices for your business’s needs. Both kinds of programs allow for automated data collection, report generation with a click of a button, and dashboards.
2) Hiring
Can you automate hiring people? Yes. Should you? It depends.
Automation is particularly helpful in the hiring process. Automated programs called Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) can make your hiring process faster and more effect. Applicant Tracking Software programs like Zoho and RecruiterBox allow you to quickly collect applications in one central software. Then, the ATS program can find resumes and applications that correlate strongly to your desired keywords.
From there it’s a simple matter of interviewing the applicants the ATS has discovered. Your HR team doesn’t have to waste time weeding out hundreds of unqualified prospects, and the candidates you’ve selected are likely higher quality.
3) Accounting
Do you still have an accountant on staff? You’re likely in the minority. Accounting tasks have largely been automated by software programs like QuickBooks.
QuickBooks helps you automate accounting tasks by allowing you to scan receipts and invoices, create purchase orders, and track the company’s books all in one software.
While we do recommend using an accountant during tax time, and having a dedicated AR or AP person on staff, having a full-blown accountant on your full-time payroll is likely overkill unless you’re running an enterprise-sized business.
The Bottom Line
Automation may be feared, but small businesses are learning to love it, too. Automating your reporting, hiring, and accounting frees up energy, time, and money for your small business to invest in growth.
Vodigy Software helps small and medium-sized businesses in the Midwest choose the software that’s best for them. Contact us today!
