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Automating with BPA Software to Boost Employee Satisfaction
When you hear about technology in the workplace, there’s often a disconnect between how good it sounds and how it actually works. There may also be a sharp difference in how executives think a new initiative is going and how employees see implementation.
In recent years, we’ve seen disconnects like this with the implementation of AI for business. There’s a lot of uncertainty, and employee satisfaction with AI isn’t high. But that’s not the case for all types of business technology. When we look at Business Process Automation (BPA), surveys show that employees are more satisfied after a company implements these tools than they were before.
Employee (Dis)satisfaction and Generative AI
A recent survey of 800 employees and 800 C-suite executives asked these two groups to share their thoughts about generative AI in their companies. This survey found that only 47% of employees “Feel their company’s approach to AI is well-controlled and highly strategic.” However, 73% of C-suite executives agreed with that statement. There was a similar disconnect across the other survey questions. For example, only 57% of employees think their company has any sort of AI strategy, while 89% of executives say that they do.
Part of the issue with generative AI is that employees don’t have a clear idea of how it is supposed to work in the company or the impact it will have on their jobs. Employees worry that AI might replace them or change the nature of the job so much that they won’t have the skills to do their jobs anymore. Another issue with AI is when employees try using it and find that the program produces inaccurate or confusing information.
It’s important to note that this survey specifically covered generative AI, such as ChatGPT and DALL-E, and interactive tools like chatbots. Other, more traditional AI tools such as machine learning and predictive AI are part of other digital tools, like some types of modern BPA software. With BPA, the story of employee satisfaction is entirely different.
Employee Satisfaction Surveys and BPA
Back in 2018, a Pew Research survey found that 65% of people in the U.S. were worried that “robots and computers” could take over human jobs. But just a few years later in 2021, a Salesforce survey of automation users in U.S. companies found that employees are very satisfied with automation.
Across the board, this survey found that 89% of employees “feel more satisfied with their jobs as a result of automation in the workplace.” Just like BPA software suppliers have been saying for years, employees found that implementing automation in their workplaces saves time, reduces errors, and improves their work-life balance.
This survey also found that 81% of workers using automation don’t worry about it replacing their jobs. It seems that when people start using automation software, they see that it makes their jobs easier without putting their job security in jeopardy. Employee experiences with automation also debunk other myths and fears about digitization. Some worry that automation isn’t reliable, but 88% of users trust the software programs to complete tasks error-free. Others might worry about new software being a burden on IT, but satisfaction with automation in the IT department is even higher than in other departments, with 93% reporting higher job satisfaction after automation.
Here’s Why Employees Like Automation
So why is automation so popular with employees? Here are some of the benefits of BPA software that are particularly helpful for employees.
Takes Over Repetitive Tasks
BPA software reduces manual labor by taking over repetitive and/or tedious tasks. The software speeds up and streamlines business processes. For example, BPA for accounts payable handles invoice intake, matching invoices to POs, checking for discrepancies, and routing the invoices for payment, approval, or review.
Time for Other Tasks
Streamlining business processes and having the software handle routine, repetitive tasks leaves employees more time to focus on interesting and value-added work. In purchasing, for example, automation takes over PO creation and enforces purchasing policies so employees in the procurement department can spend more time building relationships with suppliers and negotiating advantageous contracts.
Provides Flexibility
If you choose the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model for automating your business processes, you’ll enhance flexibility for how employees work. This type of software works wherever there’s an internet connection. Employees can work at the office, work at home, or work while traveling and always use the same software platform.
Better Work-Life Balance
Employees report that automation supports them in maintaining a better work-life balance. With automation speeding up and streamlining processing, there isn’t so much work piling up and stress trying to meet deadlines. This is one of the ways that BPA software helps with employee retention.
Reduces Errors
Automation software eliminates human error in financial processing. It’s also much better than people at avoiding data-entry errors and catching discrepancies between files. For example, if a purchase order, a goods received document, and an invoice don’t match exactly, the software will quickly alert an employee so they can look into the issue.
Enhances Collaboration
BPA software also enhances collaboration within departments and between departments. This is particularly true if you automate using SaaS software. All the employees in your company will be using the same software platform and it updates in real-time. For example, when managing capital projects, everyone on the team has access to the same files related to the project. If one person updates the project, everyone else sees the update in real-time. This makes it much easier to track budgets and stay on schedule.
Try User-Friendly NextProcess Software
Tech-savvy employees find BPA software engaging, and employees with less technological experience typically find it easy to learn. Here at NextProcess, we’ve prioritized making our software user-friendly. We work with your company through every step of the implementation process to make sure your employees are comfortable with the software, that it’s customized to your company, and everything is working as it should. After implementation, we provide ongoing customer service support to help with any challenges that may come up.
If you’d like to see our software in action, contact us today. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and set up a free demo so you can experience our helpful, user-friendly software system.
