Making the switch from legacy systems to business process automation might seem like something that only major corporations with unlimited resources can implement. But the rise of no-code platforms puts digital transformation within reach of nearly anyone.
HR teams can use business process automation software to streamline their workflows and automate the most time-consuming tasks. By automating HR processes, you can free your team up to focus on employee engagement and strategic initiatives.
Here’s what to know about business process automation software, including four use cases for business process automation in the HR department.
What Is Business Process Automation Software?
Business process automation (BPA) refers to the use of technology to automate tasks that would otherwise need to be performed by an employee. BPA is primarily used for recurring and repetitive tasks that make up part of a multi-step workflow.
Business process automation software refers to the programs that businesses use to implement process automation. These can take the form of custom-built systems or no-code and low-code platforms like Pulpstream that allow you to build your own workflows using a drag-and-drop interface.
Business process automation has a slightly narrower emphasis than business process management (BPM), which takes a more strategic approach to automation. Use BPA if you want to automate existing workflows, and BPM if you want to undergo a complete business process transformation.
Likewise, robotic process automation (RPA) has some overlap with BPA, but focuses primarily on discrete repetitive tasks like data entry and form-filling. RPA “bots” have less functionality than BPA software, but can use artificial intelligence and machine learning to reduce the need for human oversight.
Benefits of Business Process Automation Software
The mention of robotics may conjure up images of advanced computer programming and high-tech assembly lines, but BPA software has uses in many areas of business operations — including in the HR department. Here are ways that business process automation software can benefit your business:
Productivity
Business process automation tools improve efficiency and productivity by reducing the time and effort it takes to complete manual tasks. Whether it’s entering data into Excel spreadsheets or sending out confirmation emails to employees, workflow automation solutions save time and allow your team members to focus on other tasks.
Plus, if your business process automation platform is cloud-based, your employees will be able to access it from anywhere using desktop or mobile apps. Connect your BPA platform to other tools using APIs to streamline access and reduce data silos.
Accuracy
One of the biggest reasons to use BPA software is to reduce human error. When you digitize manual processes such as content management or document management, you reduce the likelihood of data being entered incorrectly or misplaced.
You can make use of digital process automation to fill out forms automatically, generate contracts from pre-built templates, and compile data-driven reports. You can then send out these documents for verification or approval in real-time — eliminating delays and bottlenecks caused by inefficient workflows management.
Compliance
Data entry isn’t the only opportunity for error in the human resources department. Your team needs to be up-to-date on various employment laws, including state and federal leave laws and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
By standardizing HR processes in a centralized system, you’ll make it easier for your team members to follow the right steps and maintain appropriate documentation. You can also use a rules engine to assess employees requests, route them to the correct team member, and streamline HR compliance.
Employee Experience
Business process automation tools can take some of the pressure off of your HR team, but it can also improve the employee experience. Not only will employee requests be resolved more accurately and efficiently, but employees can solve some of their own problems using a self-service web portal or user-friendly app.
From benefits administration to leave management, you can provide your employees with a convenient user interface on par with any modern SaaS platform.
4 Use Cases for Business Process Automation in HR
Business process automation isn’t a one-size-fits-all system. It’s flexible and scalable, so you can roll it out in stages to address your unique business needs. From employee onboarding to performance management, here are just a few ways you can use BPA software to optimize your workflows and improve your bottom line.
Payroll Processing
The days of processing payroll by hand have come and gone. These days, accounting tools and BPA software can take the stress out of time tracking, calculating overtime pay and accrued leave balances, and handling tax withholding and reporting.
Managers can get a notification when they need to review a timesheet or leave request, and employees can view their pay stubs online. Plus, when you provide employees with a self-service portal to update their own bank account information, you’ll reduce the risk of manual error and avoid payment delays.
Leave Management
Not all leave of absence requests are a simple matter of paid time off or sick leave. In some states, employees have access to paid parental leave, and employees in all 50 states are covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Extended leave requests can get complicated quickly, but by digitizing and automating leave management, you can streamline leave requests and improve compliance.
For example, Pulpstream’s customizable rules engine can automatically assess each request on a case-by-case basis, and route complex cases to the appropriate team member for further review or to request supporting documentation.
Recruiting and Onboarding
The hiring process starts with creating a job description, posting a job ad, and reviewing resumes and applications. Some companies use a recruiting process flow chart to keep track of the workflow from beginning to end and identify tasks that can be automated.
With business process automation software, you can speed up key parts of the process, from following up with promising candidates to scheduling interviews. While applicants will still appreciate face-to-face interactions, chatbots can provide answers to common questions and administer virtual assessments to aid in the interview process.
Once you’ve made a job offer, you can continue to use business process automation software throughout the employee onboarding process. Use it to administer training materials, generate new user accounts for internal systems, and enroll new hires in payroll or employee benefits programs.
Performance Management
The best performance management strategies follow a consistent process, involving regular performance reviews, ongoing mentorship, and a corrective action plan when necessary. By standardizing the process, you’ll reduce the stress and uncertainty around performance management, as well as the risk of favoritism or bias.
You can also use software to focus on specific aspects of performance management, such as absence management. Use it to track planned or unplanned absences, and monitor attendance trends in real-time with a user-friendly dashboard.
Streamline HR Processes With Pulpstream
Business process automation can play a role in almost every aspect of your business, from customer support to project management. It can be especially helpful in the HR department, where team members are faced with time-consuming tasks like payroll processing and manual data entry.
Pulpstream makes it easy to implement better workflow management with our no-code, cloud-based automation platform. Your HR team can use it to streamline recruitment, onboarding, performance management, leave management, and more.
The graphical interface allows you to create your own workflows without code, while the self-service portal allows employees to benefit from an improved user experience.
Request a demo today and see how Pulpstream can make a difference!
