Tuesday 5 July 2022
Sustainability is a growing area of importance for many businesses, and for good reason. We all have a part to play in securing a sustainable future for our planet, whether this is through limiting the damage we inflict on the environment in our everyday lives, or taking part in new initiatives that promote positive change.
One way we can contribute to both of these areas is to consider how automation can be used in our businesses to make them more sustainable. Not only will this benefit the environment, but it can also help to enhance reputation, maintain a competitive edge, and increase profits. Read on to discover three ways automation can help your business become more sustainable…
1. Automation can reduce wasted resources
Many businesses employ processes that are manual and repetitive, increasing the risk of human error and inefficiencies. Automating some or all of these processes can give your business increased visibility of what is happening where, enabling you to easily identify silos or inefficiencies in supply chains or warehouses that result in wasted resources.
Automated processes can also monitor when everyday supplies are running low, and place orders as needed. This avoids over ordering, and ensures that any available space is utilised to its maximum potential.
2. Automation can help you to go paperless
Administrative tasks such as creating reports, printing spreadsheets, and completing tax or governance documents are essential to keep a business running, but they can use a lot of paper. Automating some of these tasks allows all of these documents to be stored and shared digitally, eliminating the need for paper and printing materials.
Transitioning to digital documentation can also help your business to save space. Accessing your files online means there’s much less need for filing cabinets, shelves of folders, or stacks of paper around the office, freeing up space for additional desks or meeting areas, or perhaps allowing you to reduce outgoings on your rented space. What’s more, this gives your employees the freedom to view and edit documents no matter where they are based - supporting hybrid working and making your processes more efficient.
3. Automation can reduce your carbon footprint
Automating simple administrative tasks within your business can improve accuracy in areas such as inventory management and distribution. This gives you more accurate information about stock levels, order numbers and delivery times, which in turn allows you to make better decisions based on your business needs.
Better managing these decisions in areas such as your supply chain, storage and transportation, can help your business to reduce its carbon footprint - be this through saving warehouse space and electricity, or optimising transportation volumes or routes.
There are so many ways that automation can help businesses to become more sustainable - while also increasing profit, reputation, and employee experience at the same time. If you’d like to find out more about how you can make your business more eco-friendly by automating some of your processes, simply complete the form below and we will get in touch.
