Key Takeaways from the 2023 “Automation in Action” Survey

Automating day-to-day processes has become a top priority for businesses worldwide. With the potential to increase productivity, improve accuracy, and reduce costs, automation is being recognized as a strategic tool for scaling operations quickly.

To capture a comprehensive overview of the present state of automation implementation, Isos Technology partnered with Appfire and embarked on a research endeavor through a 10-minute survey. The survey targeted individuals who were full or part-time employed, working within an IT team, utilizing digital collaboration tools, and automating their day-to-day processes through software adoption. These participants were also responsible for making decisions regarding automation initiatives and the adoption of automation tools. By gathering insights from this survey, a fairly decent picture was painted regarding the current state of automation. This blog will cover key takeaways from the survey, providing valuable insights into the implementation and strategic direction of automation in various organizations.

1. Embracing Automation:

• A staggering 94% of businesses consider automating day-to-day processes as a strategic priority.
• 92% believe that automation will enable them to scale their business more rapidly.
• 93% believe that automating processes will help teams achieve their goals more effectively.

2. Tangible Benefits of Automation:

• Increased productivity and efficiency, improved accuracy, and cost savings are some of the prominent advantages of automation.
• 64% of organizations have witnessed increased productivity and efficiency due to automation.
• While productivity gains are frequently realized (78%), other expected benefits such as competitiveness and compliance are achieved less often (40% and 34% respectively).

3. Time Savings and Employee Efficiency:

• On average, respondents report that automation has freed up 23% of their employees' time.
• However, 30% state that they have not observed any time savings from automation.

4. Organizational Barriers to Automation:

• The main obstacles at the organizational level are a lack of knowledge about automatable processes and available tools (50%).
• Another significant barrier is the perception that certain types of work are not suitable for automation (50%).
• Only 15% of respondents consider uncertainty around return on investment (ROI) as a barrier.

5. Business Function Barriers to Automation:

• Most business functions face similar barriers, including the initial disruption of processes (42%) and concerns about work suitability for automation (38%).
• Additionally, rigid processes that offer less room for customization and personalization are seen as a hindrance (38%).
• IT and software functions face unique barriers related to privacy/security and the high initial investment required.

6. Extensive Support for Implementation:

• 46% of respondents anticipate needing extensive support to implement automation.
• Small organizations show a higher demand for support, with 58% requiring comprehensive assistance.

7. Current State of Automation:

• Workflow automation is most prevalent in IT, software, and finance departments, yet few feel they are working with high levels of automation.
• Organizations with the highest levels of automation are more likely to further automate, widening the gap.

8. Untapped Potential in Automation:

• While certain use cases like IT support/service and accounts payable/receivable are commonly automated, opportunities exist in customer service, product/project/process management, and marketing operations.

The statistics and insights presented highlight the growing importance of automation in modern business operations. With the potential to enhance productivity, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness, organizations should prioritize exploring automation opportunities in various functions. By overcoming barriers, seeking support, and leveraging available tools, businesses can unlock the full potential of automation and achieve sustainable growth in today's competitive landscape.

Check out the full survey here.