Did you know that 78% of business leaders believe that automating tasks in their organization increases the productivity of all stakeholders? As we move further into 2024, the need for workflow automation software has become critical for businesses aiming to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. Workflow automation simplifies tasks, reduces errors, and allows teams to focus on more strategic activities. Let’s dive into why this software is essential and explore the top 10 tools available this year.
Why Workflow Automation Software is Essential for Businesses
Workflow automation software is vital for businesses of all sizes. It helps in streamlining repetitive tasks, ensuring accuracy, and improving overall efficiency. Let’s explore some key reasons why adopting workflow automation software is a smart move for any business.
The Need for Efficiency and Accuracy
Businesses thrive on efficiency and accuracy. Manual processes often lead to errors and wasted time. Workflow automation software can significantly reduce these issues.
- Reducing Human Error: Automation eliminates the possibility of human error in repetitive tasks, ensuring that processes are completed accurately every time.
- Saving Time and Resources: By automating routine tasks, businesses can save valuable time and allocate resources more effectively, leading to cost savings and increased productivity.
Implementing workflow automation improves the accuracy of business processes and saves significant time and resources, enabling businesses to focus on growth and innovation.
Enhancing Collaboration and Communication
Effective collaboration and communication are crucial for business success. Workflow automation software enhances these aspects by providing seamless integration and real-time updates.
- Breaking Down Silos: Automation fosters better collaboration by integrating various departments and breaking down communication barriers, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
- Real-time Updates and Notifications: Workflow automation provides real-time updates and notifications, keeping all team members informed about the status of tasks and projects.
Improved collaboration and communication lead to a more cohesive work environment, where teams can work together more effectively and efficiently.
Ensuring Compliance and Governance
Maintaining compliance and governance is essential for businesses, especially in regulated industries. Workflow automation software ensures that all processes adhere to the required standards.
- Built-In Compliance Features: Many workflow automation tools come with built-in compliance features that ensure all processes meet regulatory requirements.
- Audit Trails and Permissions: These tools also provide audit trails and permission controls, making it easier to track activities and maintain security.
Ensuring compliance and proper governance helps businesses avoid legal issues and maintain a high standard of operations.
Top 10 Workflow Automation Software for 2024
Choosing the right workflow automation software can transform your business operations. Here are the top 10 workflow automation tools for 2024, each offering unique features and benefits.
Atom8
Best for BigCommerce Automation
Atom8 is a powerful tool designed to automate various BigCommerce tasks, helping businesses save time and increase efficiency.
Features:
- Automate Any BigCommerce Tasks: Reduce manual work and increase efficiency by creating workflows to automate merchant activities, saving up to 2-3 hours of manual work with each automation.
- Orders Categorization: Product merchandising with conditional workflows, auto-categorize products based on sales volume, send expedited notifications on high-volume orders, auto-update orders on CRM/ERP with HTTP requests, send shipping notifications to the logistics team.
- Customer Management: Segment customers into groups based on purchase amount, lifetime value, or domain name, and tag customers on Klaviyo, MailChimp, and other CMS.
- Sales Automation: Automate time-sensitive sales campaigns, apply discounts based on product attributes, daily workflow to switch theme and pricing, auto-tag and send targeted emails to high-value buyers.
- Data Management: Generate product info to a spreadsheet in real-time, add order notes to a spreadsheet (discount, gift wrap), group low-stock products and alert on IMS, connect to IMS via API to perform actions on BigCommerce.
- Marketing Automation: Auto-publish blogs and themes on a schedule, auto-apply product discounts for sales campaigns and auto-switch prices back, auto-switch banner ads during sales campaigns, connect to Klaviyo, MailChimp, and other CMS via API.
- Custom Actions with HTTP Requests: Communicate cross-systems with API access, scalable automation for enterprises with HTTP support, expedite third-party app actions with HTTP requests, built-in integrations with Slack, Trello, Google Sheets, BackOrder, and more.
Pricing:
- Free 14-day Trial
- Standard Plan: $49.95/month
- Enterprise Plan: Custom Pricing
- Book a Demo: Encouragement to book a free demo session to see how Atom8 can fit into business workflows.
Atom8 stands out for its comprehensive features tailored for BigCommerce, making it an excellent choice for eCommerce businesses.
Jira
Best for Agile Project Management
Jira is renowned for its powerful project management capabilities, especially in agile environments.
Features:
- Customizable Workflows: Easily create and customize workflows to match your project needs.
- Drag-and-Drop Automation: Simplify task management with drag-and-drop automation features.
- Global Automation Rules: Apply automation rules across multiple projects for consistency.
Integrations:
- Slack, Zoom, GitHub, Zendesk
Pricing:
- From $7.50/user/month
Jira’s flexibility and integration capabilities make it a top choice for agile teams seeking efficient project management solutions.
Studio Creatio
Best for No-Code Workflow Automation
Studio Creatio offers an intuitive no-code platform, making it easy for users to automate workflows without programming knowledge.
Features:
- No-Code Designer: Design workflows visually with a no-code interface.
- Real-time Monitoring: Monitor processes in real-time to ensure everything is running smoothly.
- AI-Driven Analytics: Gain insights with AI-driven analytics to optimize workflows.
Integrations:
- Chat Master, PandaDoc, SharePoint, Jira
Pricing:
- Minimum $25/user/month
Studio Creatio empowers users to create and manage workflows effortlessly, making it ideal for businesses looking for a user-friendly automation solution.
Jotform
Best for Data Collection Projects
Jotform excels in creating customizable forms and collecting data efficiently.
Features:
- Flexible Form Builder: Create forms easily with a flexible builder.
- Powerful Analytics: Analyze form responses with powerful analytics tools.
- Offline Forms: Collect data even without an internet connection.
Integrations:
- Google Drive, Google Sheets, Slack, Dropbox
Pricing:
- From $39/user/month
Jotform’s versatility in data collection and form building makes it a valuable tool for businesses focusing on data-driven decision-making.
SysAid
Best for IT Service Management
SysAid provides comprehensive IT service management solutions with advanced automation features.
Features:
- Incident and Request Management: Efficiently manage IT incidents and service requests.
- AI-Driven Automation: Leverage AI to automate routine IT tasks.
- Gamification Elements: Motivate IT teams with gamification features.
Integrations:
- Slack, Jira, Microsoft Teams, TeamViewer
Pricing:
- $1,211 for 500 assets
SysAid’s robust IT management capabilities make it an essential tool for organizations looking to streamline their IT services.
Pneumatic Workflow
Best for Templated Workflows
Pneumatic Workflow simplifies workflow creation with pre-built templates, making it easy to get started.
Features:
- Unlimited Workflows: Create as many workflows as needed without limitations.
- External Guests: Include external collaborators in your workflows.
- Granular Access Controls: Manage access with detailed controls.
Integrations:
- Zapier, Make
Pricing:
- From $99/month (unlimited users)
Pneumatic Workflow’s user-friendly templates and flexible pricing make it a practical choice for businesses of all sizes.
Qntrl
Best for Cross-Functional Processes
Qntrl is designed to manage cross-functional processes seamlessly, enhancing collaboration across departments.
Features:
- Automated Task Assignments: Automatically assign tasks based on predefined rules.
- Data Collection: Collect and manage data efficiently.
- Machine Learning: Use machine learning to optimize processes.
Integrations:
- Salesforce, Dropbox, MS Teams
Pricing:
- $8/user/month
Qntrl’s focus on cross-functional processes and data management makes it ideal for businesses seeking to enhance internal collaboration.
DocuWare
Best for Document Management
DocuWare specializes in document management, offering advanced features for handling and organizing documents.
Features:
- Intelligent Indexing: Automatically index documents for easy retrieval.
- Forms for Data Capture: Use forms to capture data efficiently.
- Barcode Recognition: Automate document processing with barcode recognition.
Integrations:
- Microsoft Dynamics, Sage, QuickBooks, SAP
Pricing:
- Pricing upon request
DocuWare’s advanced document management features make it a top choice for businesses with extensive document handling needs.
Camunda Platform
Best for Developer-Friendly Interfaces
Camunda Platform offers powerful tools for developers to model and automate complex business processes.
Features:
- BPMN Modeling: Create detailed process models with BPMN.
- Task Management: Efficiently manage tasks within workflows.
- Process Monitoring: Monitor processes in real-time to ensure efficiency.
Integrations:
- Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP
Pricing:
- From $49/month
Camunda Platform’s developer-friendly interface and robust features make it ideal for technical teams.
Adobe Workfront
Best for Comprehensive Project Oversight
Adobe Workfront provides a comprehensive solution for managing projects from start to finish.
Features:
- Custom Forms: Create custom forms to capture project details.
- Interactive Gantt Charts: Use interactive Gantt charts to manage timelines.
- Workflow Automations: Automate various project management tasks.
Integrations:
- Salesforce, Marketo, Adobe Creative Cloud
Pricing:
- Customized pricing upon request
Adobe Workfront’s extensive project management capabilities make it a versatile tool for businesses needing detailed project oversight.
How to Choose the Right Workflow Automation Software
Selecting the best workflow automation software for your business can be challenging. Here are some key factors to consider.
Identifying Your Needs
Start by identifying your business needs. Understanding the tasks and processes you want to automate is crucial.
- Task and Process Requirements: Determine which tasks and processes require automation to improve efficiency.
- User Accessibility: Consider how accessible the software is for your team. User-friendly interfaces are essential for widespread adoption.
Identifying your specific needs ensures you choose a tool that aligns with your business goals.
Evaluating Integrations
Integration capabilities are critical for workflow automation software. Ensure the tool you choose can seamlessly integrate with your existing systems.
- Compatibility with Existing Systems: Verify that the software is compatible with your current systems and tools.
- API and Custom Integration Capabilities: Check if the software offers API and custom integration options to tailor it to your needs.
Evaluating integrations ensures the software fits well within your existing technology stack.
Considering Costs and ROI
Cost is an important factor when choosing workflow automation software. Consider the pricing plans and the potential return on investment (ROI).
- Pricing Plans and Features: Compare the pricing plans and features offered by different tools.
- Scalability and Future Needs: Ensure the software can scale with your business and meet future requirements.
Considering costs and ROI helps in selecting a tool that offers the best value for your investment.
Conclusion
In 2024, the need for workflow automation software is greater than ever. By understanding your needs, evaluating integrations, and considering costs, you can choose the right tool to enhance your business operations. For more information or to see how Atom8 can transform your BigCommerce store, contact us today.
