Change is a constant uphill battle in any business; whether it’s adopting a new industry standard process, an up-and-coming direct competition gaining popularity, or an increased difficulty in raw materials acquisition, there’s a level of spontaneity in every aspect of managing your daily operations. And all successful and intelligent business owners understand the importance of being resilient, flexible, and vigilant in the eyes of any disruptive innovation that could enter their respective industries.
One such innovation that’s been gradually improving over the past few years is automation. As it continued to benefit from milestones garnered by machine learning, artificial intelligence, and robotics, this welcomed the concept of automating processes and optimizing workload. However, as a result of the global pandemic, the usual factories and warehouses filled with workers on the floor were no longer allowed to hold as many people, which has unexpectedly sped up the adoption of automation bound to become every industry’s mainstay.
Covid-19 Made Automation An Urgent Necessity
Yes, there’s no denying that many industries were already in the process of integrating automation, and you can even argue that many prominent industry leaders are already partially automated except for a few professional and technical positions. However, Covid-19 made automation an urgent necessity, and what was once a niche upgrade has now become a must-have despite the financial strain it would demand.
- The Remote Workforce: Due to health and safety hazards and the risk of infection, the new normal called for a remote workforce, but not all jobs can be easily done nor possible to do at home. For example, any major manufacturing company that heavily relied on human capital to oversee operations were forced to cut their workload and efficiency by more than half. As a result, these businesses sought after machines that would automate the process without much supervision.
- An Expanding World Of Digital Data: The new normal also brought about a surge in digital users. With more and more businesses migrating their operations to an online platform, we are now witnessing an expanding world of digital data. And in this era where information reign supreme, many business executives agree that automation and data collection will change industries. As a result, automated analytics and machine learning will streamline the understanding of all the data collected.
But Won’t Things Go Back To Normal?
Of course, there’s still the thought of things going back to normal once the vaccination rollout programs across the world reach their target objectives. However, the reality we must face is that automation was bound to happen sooner or later due to its benefits, and regressing after achieving progress is unrealistic. Once the dust settles and the world economy opens up, businesses with automated processes will have no reason to deny automation.
#1 Increased Demand For Efficiency
We have to understand that automation affects the business on an operational scale and the consumers that have grown accustomed to the efficiency of automated operations. Man will never be capable of matching how much a machine can output because they aren’t bound by the need for sleep and are more than able to run indefinitely with good maintenance. For example, the fashion, garments, and accessories industry cannot afford to go back to employing hundreds of workers if using high-density graphic printers, laser-engraving machines, and automated pattern-making & sewing processes can do it faster.
#2 Lower Operating Costs
Apart from solving a problem and driving demand, a fundamental principle of a business is to make a profit. Adopting automated operations can dramatically lower overall operating costs for any company. Complex processes that require multiple steps can be consolidated and done by a single machine that can guarantee consistency without all the extra expenses. Plus, these machines and robots are long-term investments, meaning that they’ll remain relevant for the foreseeable future and can also be easily replaced if the need arises.
#3 Untapped Innovation
Last but not least, the rise of automation is still riddled with untapped innovation. As research and development continue to make milestones and vast improvements, there’s no telling how much farther we can reach. This emerging tech can become more efficient and effective over time. Its applications will only continue to expand, making it an excellent wave of tech to ride before it peaks. No company would want to be caught late in adapting because this would put them in a disadvantageous position against their industry competition.
Against The Disruptive Nature Of Emerging Tech
In conclusion, we’re currently facing the disruptive nature of emerging tech known as automation. While it will be a struggle for small and medium enterprises to integrate, we must accept it’s a necessary step forward. So, don’t let time dictate the future of your business operations and turn automation into your unique advantage.
