When we think of automation, we envision self-driving cars, job outsourcing, and the infamous robot that drowned in a fountain due to algorithm failures. Automation often has negative connotations. However, this reputation is undeserved as automation can be a powerful feature to enable business growth.

We have previously discussed our timesheet app. As a refresher, we use automation and integration to create one place for employees to input their time, which then automatically pushes the data to our third-party payroll processor while also compiling weekly invoices for clients within FileMaker. Our internal metrics reveal it has saved 2–4 hours per employee per week. With eleven employees, that is approximately 1078-2156 hours per year, after accounting for time off and holidays.

For a client in the healthcare industry, we used automation to help them reduce overhead while maintaining efficiency, which has allowed them to grow and stay a leader in their field. We developed a web portal, mobile app, and FileMaker database to communicate with each other. Employees are able to self-schedule their shifts, upload their credential documentation necessary for continued employment (practitioner license, COVID status, etc.)—and receive same-day payment for shifts worked in return.

Employers and business owners may be concerned that automation will allow mistakes or fraud to slip through the cracks. We do not find this to be the case. The key to implementing automation correctly is knowing when to not automate processes. In the case of our internal timesheets, executive leadership does a review of each employee's total hours for a pay period before submitting payroll to be processed. Outliers are easily noticed, preventing employees from accidentally being over or underpaid for their work.
Simultaneously, employees may be fearful that automation will eliminate their job. Again, that does not align with our experience. Growing businesses always have new tasks and goals as they expand. For our healthcare client, the scheduling staff has drastically reduced the redundancy in their responsibilities. This allows them to focus their attention on more pressing tasks such as credential recertification and marketing to prospective clientele. The company values hiring trustworthy and excited individuals, and they do not want to lose their abilities and institutional knowledge. When workloads are reduced or changed due to automation, the company reallocates that time to different tasks where their employees’ talents can be used to help them continue growing. Meanwhile, the practitioners are better able to create and receive their schedules, allowing them to more efficiently file shifts based on availability. There are far fewer miscommunications and snafus.

Can automation be implemented with FileMaker? Absolutely! Due to its robust capabilities to integrate with APIs, third-party software, IoT, web sites, and so much more, FileMaker excels at customizing automation to the exact needs of individual organizations. It can communicate with many different databases and consolidate data processing to one software location. We use FileMaker to add automation for companies in almost every industry, but it is especially popular in healthcare, manufacturing, and service-based industries. Properly integrated automation can enable your company to grow by reducing redundancies and allowing your employees to prioritize better.

Want to quantify how automation could help your company? Try our calculator!

PK Information is a FileMaker-certified development agency serving the Tampa Bay, Miami Lakes, and Knoxville regions. We believe that great software can change everything. Would strategic integration of automation promote growth for your company? Contact us today!

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