How Automation in IT Services Can Streamline Small Business Operations

In this era of global competition on the local level, small businesses must optimize every process to remain competitive. Optimization means efficiency, so fulfillment happens more quickly and at a lower cost. Optimization also empowers growth, because you can do more with less, enabling you to expand without a risky capital expenditure. If you are looking for that type of optimization for your small business, it’s time to explore automation. Now, we’re not talking about robotics. Rather, we mean digital solutions that reduce your workers’ time on repetitive tasks, increase their efficiency, improve the accuracy of your business processes, and much more. Unfortunately, for many small business owners, this level of tech implementation still sounds like black magic. They worry it’s either prohibitively expensive or too complicated for their shop to master. The good news is that it’s neither, and, with the help of a managed IT services provider, any business can reap the rewards of automated optimization.

Automation Tools for Business: Streamlining Operations and Enhancing Efficiency

We’re all familiar with the story of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, especially the Disney version featured in Fantasia. Mickey Mouse is cast as the apprentice, who must lug in heavy buckets of water and strenuously scrub his master’s quarters. Seeking a labor-saving solution, he borrows his master’s magic wand and automates a broom to do the work for him. The problem is, he can’t turn the broom off, and his attempts to make it stop replicate the broom exponentially, vastly increasing the trouble he’s gotten himself into. The moral of the story is, “Don’t mess with stuff you don’t understand and can’t control.” That’s a great lesson for kids. But as a small business owner, you need the magic that’s in that wand, and a managed IT services provider can put you in complete control.

So, without further ado, let’s look at a few of the IT tools that are available to help streamline your business processes:

• Workflow management — Managing the company’s workflow is an essential process for any business aiming to maintain smooth operations and improve collaboration across teams. Automation tools in this category allow businesses to optimize task assignments, track project progress, and ensure that deadlines are met. Popular programs include Trello and Asana.
• Sales automation — You canoptimize and streamline your sales processes, from lead generation to deal closing. These tools, such as HubSpot Sales and Salesforce, allow businesses to save time, nurture leads effectively, and increase their chances of closing more sales. Salesforce even incorporates AI to forecast sales and streamline customer communication.
• Customer engagement — Every business must build relationships with the public to maintain loyalty. Automation tools in this category help businesses maintain consistent communication, improve customer service, and drive personalized experiences. Intercom allows businesses to engage with customers through live chat, email, and in-app messaging. It employs triggers and chatbots to ensure prompt and personalized customer responses. Zendesk is a customer service platform that offers automated ticket management, chat support, and self-service options.
• Record keeping — Accurate record keeping is essential for businesses to stay compliant, make informed decisions, and maintain a clear view of their operations. Automation tools for recordkeeping help businesses store, manage, and access crucial information with ease. Leading tools include QuickBooks and Xero.
• Cash flow management — Cash flow management is vital for managing transactions, maintaining inventory, and avoiding late fees. Automation tools in this category help improve a company’s financial stability by allowing businesses to track their income and expenses, predict future cash flows, and manage their financial health. Popular programs include Float and Wave Accounting, which is a free, cloud-based accounting tool.

These are just a few of the areas in which IT automation can help small companies optimize their business processes. What tools are right for your business? An IT specialist at KMF Technologies can evaluate your systems and recommend appropriate solutions. If you’re interested in reducing manual tasks, improving customer engagement, increasing efficiency, and ensuring accuracy in your business processes, we can show you how to best leverage this cutting-edge technology. Call us today.