A May 2021 report from the UK government-funded organization, Be The Business, examined barriers to adopting workflow automation software for SMBs (Small and Medium Businesses). The report included research from 1,500 SMBs surveyed, who identified 5 major barriers to technology adoption. “These barriers were limiting uptake and thereby restricting productivity growth,” the report concluded. Here are the 5 barriers and some respondents’ comments:
- Software was built for larger enterprises, not small businesses (“I can’t find technology to meet my needs”)
- Adoption seems too difficult and too costly (“I’m not sure I want to go through the pain of adoption”)
- Switching is too high risk (“I worry about losing control and losing critical data”)
- Lack of expertise and execution support (“I don’t have the expertise to manage the adoption and execution”)
- End-user adoption problems (“My employees don’t want to change how they do things”)
Unfortunately, many commercial print providers across Canada and the U.S. also share these preconceived notions about adopting workflow automation in their shops. So, let’s set the record straight. Here are our answers to these very legitimate concerns:
- Significans Automation’s solutions have been deployed successfully in (very) small, medium, and large businesses across North America. Furthermore, they’re 100% customizable, which means that print shop owners can choose the software tools that specifically match their production needs and budget – regardless of their size.
- While there is a learning curve depending on the chosen software tools and the complexity of the in-shop printing and finishing equipment, the experience is anything but painful. Significans optimizes workflow software with their over 100 years of combined experience.
- Secure data migration and interconnectivity with existing systems are indeed concerns for SMBs looking to adopt new workflow software. That’s why we invest a huge amount of time, energy and expertise in mapping data across from existing systems well in advance before we begin any type of new configuration.
- You may not have the in-house expertise to manage adoption, but we absolutely do. You may not have staff to manage ongoing execution, but we’ll train your employees in the intricacies of operation and maintenance quickly and thoroughly. This includes any additional staff that can act as backup. We can be an extension of your company and always meet the vision and objectives.
- It’s essential for SMBs to engage their staff as early as possible when adopting new technology. Change always brings uncertainty and sometimes even resistance. In our experience, involving selected employees from the beginning – which means from the very first day the software is installed – is the best approach. If necessary, we can also provide information from other successful adopters on their own training experiences.
Finally, there’s a massive difference between workflow automation and highly customized workflow automation. Even market research leader InfoTrends, in a 2019 U.S. survey, concluded: “The reality is that workflow demands a coordinated effort between processes, people, and technology, to unlock efficiencies. Most workflows grow organically over time – which introduces inefficiencies and bottlenecks.”
Our deployments are highly customized to a print shop owner’s very specific production systems and requirements. This approach results in that “coordinated effort between processes, people, and technology, to unlock efficiencies” that InfoTrends mentioned above. Furthermore, of the 300,000+ workflow systems installed worldwide, only about 10% are customized and fully automated enough to make a significant impact.
So, let’s talk. And soon.
