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Process Automation with a Low-Code Platform | Workflow

Discover how low-code platforms can transform your business by streamlining processes, enhancing efficiency, and reducing development costs.

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Process-Automation-with-a-Low-Code-Platform-Workflow
May 2, 2024

Process Automation with a Low-Code Platform | Workflow

In the quest for operational excellence, businesses continuously seek innovative ways to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. One of the most transformative tools that organizations are turning to is low-code platforms, specifically for process automation. These platforms are not only changing how applications are developed but are also revolutionizing workflow automation across various industries. Here’s how your business can harness the power of low-code platforms to automate processes, optimize workflow, and drive significant performance improvements.

 

Why Choose Low-Code for Process Automation?

Low-code platforms simplify the application development process, making it accessible to both professional developers and non-technical users. This accessibility is particularly advantageous for automating workflows, as it allows those who understand the processes best — often the business users — to take a hands-on role in developing solutions. Here’s a closer look at why low-code platforms are ideal for process automation:

  • Speed and Simplicity: Drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-built templates allow rapid creation and deployment of applications, significantly cutting down development time.
  • Flexibility: Users can customize applications to meet specific workflow needs without extensive coding knowledge.
  • Cost Efficiency: Reducing the need for specialized developers lowers the cost of development and maintenance of automation systems.

 

Process- Automation

Fig.1: Process Automation

Key Considerations for Implementing Low-Code Workflow Automation

Before diving into low-code process automation, consider the following key factors to ensure a successful implementation:

  • Security: Ensure the platform has robust security protocols to protect sensitive data. Evaluate its compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Scalability: The chosen platform should be able to accommodate growth in terms of users, data handled, and complexity of workflows.
  • Integration: The platform should easily integrate with existing systems. Seamless integration is crucial for automating complex workflows that involve multiple software systems.
  • Governance: Implement clear rules for the development and use of low-code tools within your organization to maintain control and ensure consistency.

 

Workflow Automation in Action: A Practical Example

Imagine a typical order processing workflow in a manufacturing company. The process involves multiple steps from order receipt, inventory check, manufacturing, and quality control, to shipping and invoicing. Automating this workflow with a low-code platform can lead to substantial improvements:

 

Workflow-Automation-in-Action

Fig.2: Workflow Automation in Action

 

  • Automated Notifications: Set up automated alerts for inventory levels, production milestones, and shipment statuses.
  • Data Integration: Automatically pull data from CRM and ERP systems to streamline order processing and avoid manual data entry.
  • User Dashboards: Create dashboards that provide real-time visibility into the status of orders, production, and inventory levels.

 

The Role of IT in Low-Code Workflow Automation

While low-code platforms empower non-technical users, IT professionals still play a critical role in ensuring the effective use of these tools:

  • Providing Oversight: IT ensures that low-code development adheres to the company’s IT strategy and security policies.
  • Supporting Integration: IT professionals handle complex integrations and manage the architecture that supports scalability and performance.
  • Facilitating Training: IT can assist in training business users to use low-code tools effectively, ensuring they are competent and confident in their ability to build applications.

 

Designing Your Absence Management Workflow

Let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of designing a low-code workflow for managing absences. Here’s a breakdown of the key steps and functionalities:

Initiating the Workflow:

The journey begins with an “Initiate Workflow” step. This can be triggered by a user submitting an absence request form, or through a pre-defined method call. The method call allows for flexibility, potentially using a default method for standard absence requests or a user-defined option for handling specific scenarios.

Adding Stages:

Stages act as checkpoints within the workflow, reflecting the progress of the absence request. A typical absence management workflow might include stages like “Requested,” “Pending Approval,” “Approved,” and “Rejected.” Each stage can trigger specific actions based on the outcome.

 

Taking Action: Updating Data and Sending Notifications

Here’s where the magic happens! Low-code platforms offer a variety of actions you can incorporate into your workflow:

  • Data Update: This action modifies information stored in relevant forms. For instance, upon submission, the request status can be automatically updated to “Requested” in the “Absence Request” form.
  • Send Notification: Keep everyone in the loop with email or push notifications triggered at designated stages. For example, an email notification can be sent to the manager upon receiving an absence request, prompting them to review and approve or reject it.
Updating-Data-and-Sending-Notifications

Fig.3: Updating Data and Sending Notifications

Building Your Absence Management Workflow: A Step-by-Step Example

Here’s a glimpse into how your low-code absence management workflow might look:

  • Initiate Workflow: Triggered by an employee submitting an absence request form.
  • Add Stage: The stage is set to “Requested.”
  • Action – Data Update: The absence request status is updated to “Requested” in the “Absence Request” form.
  • Action – Send Notification: An email notification is sent to the manager, informing them about the new absence request.
  • Manager Reviews Request: The manager reviews the request and takes action (approves, rejects, or requests more information).
  • Conditional Logic: Based on the manager’s action, the workflow progresses to the next stage (e.g., “Approved” or “Rejected”).
  • Additional Actions: Depending on the approval status, further actions can be triggered, such as sending notifications to the employee and updating team calendars.

 

Absence-Management-Workflow

Fig.4: Absence Management Workflow

 

Getting Started with Low-Code Automation

To start benefiting from low-code automation:

  • Identify key processes that could be improved with automation.
  • Choose a low-code platform that fits your security, scalability, and integration needs.
  • Pilot a project to test the effectiveness of the platform.
  • Train your team to use the platform, emphasizing collaboration between IT and business users.

 

Conclusion:

Low-code platforms are transforming process automation by making it faster, less costly, and more accessible. By empowering business users to take an active role in creating automation solutions, these platforms help organizations become more agile and responsive to changes. Whether you’re looking to enhance efficiencies, reduce costs, or improve customer satisfaction, low-code platforms offer a powerful tool for automating workflows and revitalizing your business processes.

 

Author: Vijayakumar Manoharan, Software Engineer

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