Automated business services are becoming increasingly popular, as our world turns even faster towards full digitization. If you run a small or medium-sized business and are looking for ways to save money on staffing and freelancers, automated services are likely the best bet for your company
Nevertheless, there are valid critiques of automated services that are worth exploring. In today’s article we will give you the pros and cons of automated business services - but first, let’s get to grips with the kind of automation your business could be using.
What are common automated business programs and services?
When we talk about automated services, what do we mean? Below are some of the most common automated services that businesses use day to day.
Automated back office
Back office organization and administrative jobs have existed for many years, but now they are being replaced by automated software programs that can do it all - but faster, and for less money. These programs can schedule appointments, remind you of meetings, and generally make the office’s working day much more efficient.
Automated accounting software
Most businesses now use payroll software to automatically generate and pay employees, as well as calculate tax and provide data on revenue streams.
Automated telephone answering
Automated telephone answering, a virtual receptionist or using a phone ai assistant are very useful for small businesses that can’t afford to hire a full-time receptionist. This function can provide customer support, redirect calls to the relevant department, and supply basic information to customers and clients too.
Leasing
Utilizing leasing services for your office equipment can help with improving cash flow, and reducing large capital investments when you first launch your business. Please be aware of new accounting standards around the capitalization of leases, and be aware of ASC 842 deadlines for reporting.
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These are just a few examples of how automation is being used by all kinds of businesses nowadays. Now let’s get to the main question: what are the pros and cons of automation?
Health and Safety
Online health and safety has changed the game when it comes to proving compliance, training individual employees and reducing injuries overall. Automated cloud services can be used to hammer home key health and safety messaging and make the office safer overall.
The Pros of Automated Services
Automated services have many upsides - that’s why they are so popular! Let’s delve into the brilliant aspects of having automated services in your business.
Automation eliminates human error
One of the biggest benefits of using software in lieu of an employee for administration, accounting and IT, is the elimination of human error. Every person makes mistakes at work, even highly talented individuals - whereas a computer will never make mistakes.
When it comes to payroll and other extremely important aspects of your business, having no human error to worry about is a very wise move.
Automated services are cheaper than employees
Not only are automated services smarter than humans, but they’re cheaper, too. Paying for a full cloud package or an accounting software program is still much cheaper than hiring a full time employee, or even contracting a freelancer for that matter.
If you run a small business and are searching for ways to cut your costs, automated services are your friend.
You can update or cut back on your software package whenever you want
Unlike a human employee who has contractual rights that need to be fulfilled, a software program isn’t that sensitive! If you need to scale up or scale down your automated services based on how your business is doing, nobody’s going to get upset! You can update and modify a software program whenever you feel like it, no questions asked.
Automation is a money-saver when it comes to your office space
Not only do automated services cut back on your employee budget, but they also help you save money in other areas, too. Your office space, for example, can be much smaller if you have fewer employees who need desk space. You won’t have to shell out for employee perks, parking spaces, and other essentials that are required when hiring a human full time employee.
Overall, the pros of automation are clear: fewer humans, less cost. So what are the downsides?
The Cons of Automated Services
After reading just how much you can do with automated services, it might be impossible to imagine what the downsides might be! However, there are valid critiques of automated services for business, which we will explore below.
Automation can’t provide human interaction
Although a computer program might do the same job as an employee, it can’t replace the human interaction and connection that can be found in a person. People’s innovations are what make businesses thrive, so while an automated service might help you pay people on time, it won’t make you laugh in the break room every day, nor will it provide insights into how to make your business better overall.
Customer service will not be as effective using automation
Automated phone services like a virtual receptionist can be brilliant for small businesses, but they don’t provide the same level of customer service that a person can. There’s nothing more frustrating than an automated phone service getting something wrong when you need help - so if you find that your customers aren’t satisfied, it might be that hiring a person is absolutely worthwhile.
Computer programs can always crash
Humans take sick days, but when they return, everything will be as they left it. A computer program’s version of a sick day, however, is crashing out, and potentially losing valuable company data along the way. Although this is a rare occurrence nowadays, it is worth considering how trustworthy an automated service is, in comparison with a human being.
Weighing up the good with the bad…
Ultimately, whether or not automated business services are worth it for your company entirely depends on your brand. If you are a local company that thrives within a close knit community, having real humans on the end of the phone is likely to serve you better.
However, if you are an ever-growing small business that needs to cut costs and find scalable solutions, an automated business service package might be the best solution for you.