Fast Automation for a Single Business Process: Where to Start
When a single process has been running manually for years, a natural question comes up: is it enough to automate just that one process, or does it call for a full ERP or BPM system? Read on to find out how to make that decision and where to start.
A single inefficient process doesn't always call for a full ERP or BPM system, since that kind of solution typically means reworking how multiple departments operate. Such a project can take several months, and the results only become noticeable once the system is fully deployed.
An alternative approach is to automate one specific process on its own, without restructuring the entire infrastructure. This format makes it possible to focus on a single task, see the effect of automation sooner, and evaluate it before deciding whether to scale automation to other processes in the company.
How do you know a process is ready for automation?
✔️ The process is performed manually and repeats on a regular basis
✔️ Data is recorded across different sources with no unified system
✔️ The team spends significant time on routine tasks
✔️ Errors occur regularly and affect the outcome
✔️ The process depends critically on specific employees
If even one of these points matches your company's situation, it's a signal to consider automation.
Where to start?
1. Process Discovery to define the scope
At this stage, we analyze the process: identifying where the pain points occur and what data is used along the way. This makes it possible to define the exact scope of the future solution and avoid a situation where automation fails to solve the real problem. If the scope is already clear, Discovery can be skipped.
2. Defining requirements: participants, data, integrations
We define which roles are involved, what data needs to be collected or transferred, and which systems the solution needs to integrate with. These parameters directly affect the quality of the result, since they help the solution match the company's specifics and needs more precisely.
3. Development on the low-code platform Spiro
Instead of building the process from scratch, we deploy a ready-made solution on Spiro: defining roles, routing rules, document and notification templates. This approach makes it possible to quickly adapt the system to a specific company process while keeping the flexibility to make changes after launch.
Which processes can you automate quickly with Spiro?
🔘 Partner or dealer onboarding
🔘 Handling client requests and statuses
🔘 Mobile tracking for field teams
🔘 Contract and proposal approval
🔘 Preventive equipment maintenance
🔘 Expense and procurement approval
🔘 Inspections and defect reporting
Rather than a stepping stone toward a full-scale system, automating a single process is a standalone solution that fits companies at different stages of growth. For some, it's a way to solve a specific problem without major infrastructure changes; for others, it's a chance to test the automation approach before committing to a larger project.
This format makes it possible to quickly evaluate the results and plan the next steps: automating another process or several related ones, or moving toward building a comprehensive operating system for the company.
Ready to automate a specific business process at your company? Leave your contact details and we'll discuss your task on a free 30-minute call and provide a preliminary estimate of cost and timeline.
