Manual processes that once worked well can quickly become a barrier to progress as your company expands. Tasks pile up, approvals slow down, and limited visibility into where work sits creates bottlenecks that are difficult to overcome.
Processes that were manageable with a few people and spreadsheets can’t scale with your operation. Business process automation (BPA) tackles these pressure points head-on.
BPA replaces repetitive manual steps, integrates systems, strengthens workflow management, and builds the foundation for continuous process optimization.
The result is greater:
Without business process automation software, your company faces several operational hurdles that can hinder growth.
These include:
Operational processes don’t have to cause friction that interferes with productivity. Business process automation software replaces slow, repetitive tasks with structured workflows that run reliably and consistently. The results of a Salesforce survey show that over 70% of the employees surveyed report that using automation tools reduces work-related stress and increases their productivity.
It eliminates guesswork, reduces delays and gives your teams the clarity they need to keep work moving:
Here’s a comparison between manual business processes and automated workflows powered by BPM business management process software like DocuWare. It highlights the key differences in efficiency, cost and accuracy:
| Business issue | Manual processes | With DocuWare BPA software |
| Data entry | Manual data entry is prone to human error. | Automated data extraction (OCR, IDP) reduces errors & time spent. |
| Approval | Delays due to relying on email threads and physical routing. | Automated routing based on business rules for faster approvals. |
| Document retrieval | Labor-intensive search across multiple systems and paper files. | Instant search across a centralized, secure system. |
| Collaboration | Fragmented workflows that are inconsistent across departments. | Seamless collaboration with integrated workflows. |
| Compliance and auditing | Time-consuming manual tracking and preparation. | Automated tracking, audit trails and compliance monitoring. |
| Operational costs | High costs due to paper usage, storage and manual work. | Reduced costs through automation, paperless workflows. |
| Process speed | Slow, prone to bottlenecks. | Fast, automated processes with real-time updates. |
| Scalability | Difficult to scale without adding resources. | Solutions scale more easily with fewer additional resources. |
The advantages of business process automation tools reach far beyond time and cost savings. When routine work is automated, your teams are free to focus on activities that drive progress and help your business remain agile and adaptive. A recent McKinsey Global survey found that 66% of respondents have noticed better quality control, happier customers, improved employee morale and lower operating costs thanks to automation.
BPA software simplifies complex processes and keeps work moving smoothly across your organization, leading to:
When combined, these automation benefits create a more resilient operational framework for your company.
Automation only works as well as the platform behind it, which is why selecting the right BPA solution matters. A market-leading platform accelerates processes, improves accuracy and makes it easier to scale.
Here are some key elements to look for when choosing a BPA software solution:
Some business workflow management software adapts automation to your existing processes, rather than forcing your business to fit the tool. DocuWare Workflow Manager provides this flexibility with a drag-and-drop interface for designing and adjusting workflows — no coding required.
Smart features such as DocuWare’s Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) use AI-driven data extraction to handle repetitive work like processing invoices or contracts, improving accuracy and speed.
A strong BPA platform connects with your core business systems — such as your ERP or CRM — reducing data silos and ensuring information can move where it’s needed.
The best BPM automation tools are intuitive and easy for employees to use, encouraging fast adoption without long training cycles.
Implementing business process automation requires clear planning, the right structure and a focused rollout. The best results come from approaching deployment in clear, manageable stages:
Across industries, BPA has helped organizations cut costs, accelerate key processes and improve accuracy. Connox, a leading European online retailer for premium furniture and home accessories, is an example of its success.
Connox relies on fast, reliable procurement to keep pace with high order volumes. Previously, handling documents like order confirmations, delivery notes, and invoices required significant manual effort — taking around 30 minutes per document.
By introducing DocuWare Intelligent Document Processing (IDP), the company reduced processing time to just five minutes. Its procurement team gained greater visibility and control, and routine tasks no longer slowed the business down.
This kind of measurable impact isn’t limited to procurement. In sectors like finance, healthcare and logistics, BPA is delivering similar gains:
Business process automation tools aren’t a quick fix — they’re a smarter way to run your essential operations with less effort and greater impact.
Implementing a BPA strategy is crucial for companies dealing with increasing costs, inefficiencies and a demanding pace of work. From faster procurement to smoother onboarding and more reliable workflows, the benefits of BPA software extend across your organization.
With an advanced BPA solution like DocuWare, you'll save time, improve process control and enhance customer satisfaction. DocuWare gives companies the structure and flexibility you need to automate processes effectively and keep work moving.