If you’re planning to cut costs, boost efficiency and run more processes digitally this year, low-code automation can provide you with the tools for success.
Technology became part and parcel of business as usual last year. This trend will continue in 2021, not only for the sake of operational continuity but also to drive costs down and productivity levels up in an increasingly challenging business environment.
Going forward, being able to adapt processes quickly and keep employees motivated will be critical. Low-code automation can help to achieve these outcomes by saving time, reducing effort and providing remote teams with comprehensive support.
If you’re new to low-code—this is a visual development approach to business process application development that makes it easier for professional developers and everyday business users to collaborate and solve business challenges digitally. It’s an incredibly user-friendly way to build any kind of custom web and mobile app, with minimal coding and training required.
7 Top Tips
Here are seven ways that your organisation can use low-code to manage disruptions, keep employees engaged, meet new customer needs and stay competitive in times of change.
1. Bring remote teams together
Using low-code visual designers, you can quickly develop process automation apps that connect data, systems and people, no matter whether they’re working at home or in the office. Workflow automation helps to streamline and speed up communication, collaboration, reviews and approvals. As all tasks are orchestrated and managed digitally, staff stay productive and teamwork happens smoothly.
2. Pivot processes quickly
By removing complexity from the development cycle, low-code allows you to re-design or update processes at lighting speed. It’s easy to digitise manual tasks, replace paperwork with digital forms, automate document management and integrate workflows with existing business software—so your teams have access to the resources they need, from anywhere.
3. Delight customers digitally
As you shift to more contactless customer service, low-code platforms allow you to build custom digital forms to seamlessly collect details and data from customers. This information can be checked and validated upon entry and routed directly to the relevant people for the next steps.
You could also build a web-based customer self-service portal, where customers can easily find answers to common questions or access routine services, such as claim submissions and quote requests. This type of solution can quickly loop in a human customer service rep if needed.
4. Improve internal comms
Low-code workflow automation co-ordinates digital communication between colleagues. Rather than managing task allocation through email or instant messaging—where it can be easy to overlook a critical instruction—people receive automatic alerts and reminders, with all progress logged in one place. Also, the relevant documents and data are automatically routed to the right people. This way, there are no bottlenecks or delays, and everyone knows exactly what is expected of them.
5. On-board new staff remotely
In the low-code environment, it’s easy to build a solution that automates all the routine tasks and data processing involved in the employee onboarding process. Documentation for new hires can be automatically generated and information can be captured using digital forms. These details are then automatically routed to the relevant departments or recordkeeping systems. This saves hours of HR time and creates a seamless employee experience right from the get-go.
6. Manage accounts virtually
You can rapidly develop solutions to automate a range of routine, repetitive finance processes. Accounts receivable, accounts payable, accounts recon, and invoicing and remittance are typically excellent use cases for low-code automation. In addition to the efficiency gains, you’ll have access to process metrics and insights that could help you optimise cash flow.
7. Help staff return to work safely
When it’s time for employees to return to work, most low-code platforms provide templates for a customisable screening application. You could adapt this in line with country- and industry-specific guidance, to ensure a fully compliant and auditable screening process that’s designed to protect employees and your organisation.
The world is changing around us—and changing fast. The flexibility of low-code automation can help your business move with the changes and stay competitive, come what may.