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Why you should invest in workflow automation and what to expect

workflow automation

Are you tired of drowning in a sea of paperwork, tedious data entry, and repetitive tasks that zap your productivity? Well, it’s probably a good time to embrace workflow automation in your business.

This practice enables you to streamline your business processes, reduce errors, and reclaim your time. In this article, we’ll explore why investing in workflow automation is crucial for modern businesses and what you can expect from it.

Let’s dive in!

What is Workflow Automation?

Workflow automation is the process of automating routine and repetitive tasks in a business workflow. It entails using software tools to automate manual tasks, improve communication and collaboration, and reduce the risk of human error.

The goal of workflow automation is to increase efficiency and productivity, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Benefits of Workflow Automation

Workflow automation offers numerous benefits that can positively impact a business in many ways. Here are some of the top ones you can expect:

Increased efficiency

Automation can help you to complete tasks faster and with fewer errors, leading to increased productivity and better resource usage.

Reduced errors and mistakes

Human error is a common cause of inefficiency and mistakes in business processes. Workflow automation minimizes this risk by automating routine tasks, reducing the likelihood of errors, and improving data accuracy.

Enhanced collaboration

Workflow automation improves collaboration by providing a centralized platform where team members can access information, share files, and communicate in real-time. This enhances communication, ensures accountability, and allows for better coordination between teams.

Additionally, tools like SharePoint offer robust workflow automation features that can be tailored to fit the needs of any organization. To learn more about the costs associated with implementing SharePoint, visit https://www.epcgroup.net/sharepoint-cost-how-much-does-sharepoint-cost/ for an in-depth breakdown of pricing and what to expect.

Improved scalability

Businesses can scale their operations without increasing the number of employees needed to manage tasks. With automation tools, your business will be able to handle tasks that would require a large workforce, thereby facilitating easier and more efficient expansion.

Cost reduction

Workflow automation reduces operational costs by optimizing business processes and minimizing the need for manual labor. Automation also reduces the likelihood of errors which then leads to fewer costly mistakes.

Workflow Automation Tools

Looking to automate some parts of your business but not sure where to start? Here are four common types of workflow automation tools that are available to businesses today:

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

RPA is a software technology that automates repetitive tasks and workflows. It can mimic human interactions with software systems, including data entry, form filling and other manual tasks.

Business Process Management (BPM)

BPM is a framework for optimizing business processes. It helps with analyzing, modeling, and managing workflows to improve efficiency and productivity.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI technology automates cognitive tasks such as language processing, problem-solving, and decision-making. It can be used to optimize complex business processes and improve decision-making.

Low-Code or No-Code Platforms

Low-code or no-code platforms enable businesses to build and customize their own automation tools using drag-and-drop interfaces without the need for coding. A good example here is Microsoft Powerapps.

How to Implement and Integrate Workflow Automation into Your Business Processes

If you’re ready to add workflow automation to your business, here are the steps to follow to get it right:

Identify key processes that can do with automation

Before anything else, identify the workflows or processes in your business that can benefit most from automation. These may include repetitive, manual, and error-prone tasks.

Prepare for automation

Here, you need to define clear objectives, select the right automation tools, and develop a plan to implement the automation strategy. You might also want to define roles and responsibilities and prepare employees for the changes that will occur.

If you don’t have knowledgeable staff or resources internally, then consider hiring experts such as these Powerapps consulting professionals. They will help you avoid costly mistakes from the word go.

Test and integrate

At this point, you need to verify that the automation tools work as intended and integrate them with existing business systems. You may conduct pilot tests to assess the effectiveness of the automation tools and identify any issues that may arise.

Improve your systems

Workflow automation is an ongoing process that requires continuous improvement. You need to monitor the performance of the automation tools and make adjustments as needed. This is to ensure that the automation remains effective and efficient.

Challenges and Solutions in Workflow Automation

In this section, we explore some of the common challenges to implementing and integrating automation tools effectively and their solutions:

Change management

Automation often changes the way employees work, which can be challenging for some of them. To overcome this, businesses should communicate the benefits of doing it and provide employees with training and support.

Security and Privacy

Automation can pose security and privacy risks, particularly if it involves sensitive data. To mitigate these risks, be sure to implement appropriate security measures such as data encryption, access controls, and data backups.

Integration with legacy systems

Integrating automation tools with legacy systems can be challenging due to compatibility issues. To overcome this, conduct thorough testing beforehand and ensure that the tools you’re considering to add are compatible with existing systems.

Resource allocation

Implementing automation tools requires investment in technology, training, and support. As such, carefully evaluate the costs and benefits of automation and develop a budget for implementation.

Conclusion

Workflow automation is no longer a luxury but a necessity for most businesses. With the potential to save time, reduce costs, and improve productivity, automation offers a competitive advantage that can’t be ignored.

So, it’s time to bid goodbye to the drudgery of manual processes and warm up to automation. Your business will thank you for it. Good luck!

Samsung Announces New Exynos Modem 5300 with Sub6 and mmWave 5G Support

Samsung Exynos Modem 5300

Samsung Electronics has unveiled its latest 5G modem, the Exynos Modem 5300. This modem can support Sub6 and mmWave 5G, providing users the best of both worlds. Moreover, it is designed to offer ultra-fast download speeds of up to 10Gbps and upload speeds of up to 3.87Gbps, comparable to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modem announced earlier this year.

The Exynos Modem 5300 is flexible, supporting standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) 5G networks. It can also support FR1, FR2, and EN-DC technologies, guaranteeing your smartphone’s best possible internet experience. Furthermore, suppose you have a suitable terminal and are in an area where you can connect. The modem is compatible with cross-generation network connections and may be utilised from 2G to 5G.

The Exynos Modem 5300 has the advantage of being more power-efficient than its predecessors. It is made with the most recent 4nm EUV process, which means it uses less power while providing superior performance.

According to Samsung, the Exynos Modem 5300 is also intended to connect effortlessly to numerous devices and chipsets owing to its PCIe interface. It adheres to the most recent 3GPP 5G NR Release 16 standard and includes modems, supply modulators, clock buffers, phase arrays, PMICs, and aerial modules. This standard enables optimal device connection management and increases device battery power.

Although Samsung has not confirmed any phones or devices that will include the Exynos Modem 5300, it may be integrated into the upcoming Tensor G3 chipset, which will power the Pixel 8 series. The Tensor G3 chipset is rumoured to be based on the unannounced Exynos 2300 chipset, implying that the Exynos Modem 5300 will be present.

Apple’s AR Headset Nears Launch: Executives Given Sneak Peek of Full Capabilities

Apple Mixed Reality Headset news

Apple’s much-anticipated augmented reality headset is one step closer to becoming a reality. According to Bloomberg reporter and Apple insider Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter, around 100 of Apple’s top executives recently gathered at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, to discuss the company’s AR plans. It appears that the operation of the AR headset has been confirmed.

The speculated AR headset is scheduled to be formally released in June. However, it is unclear if it will be revealed during Apple’s WWDC 2023 keynote. The AR headset will be previewed in the coming months, with an official release following.

While Apple executives have been given sneak peeks of the AR headset every year since 2018, these demos have been limited in scope and have not demonstrated the product’s full potential. With the headset rumoured to arrive in 2023, Gurman believes the assembled Apple executives will see the full potential of the AR headset.

It should be noted that Apple’s design team earlier claimed that the AR headset would not be ready for release this year. But, CEO Tim Cook and Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams appear to have rejected this issue, fearing that any longer delay would offer Apple’s competitors a competitive edge. It’s unclear what circumstances are pushing the debut, but Apple is under much pressure to create a successful AR headset.

But, with a projected $3,000 price tag, the AR headset could not sell well at that price range. With the low number of devices expected to arrive this year, an early launch may be the best way for Apple to measure customer interest in the product. Gurman believes the AR headset will follow in the footsteps of the Apple Watch, which had a difficult start but finally acquired mainstream acceptance.

Nevertheless, Apple’s augmented reality headset is an interesting addition to the company’s product selection. With a possible debut date only a few months away, Apple fans and technology lovers will await additional information about the device’s capabilities and features.

Twitter Faces New Security Concerns as Source Code Leaked Online

Twitter Safety Mode

Twitter is dealing with another issue, as court records revealed last Friday that part of its source code was leaked online. According to The New York Times, the leaked source code is the foundation of Twitter. Twitter has alleged copyright infringement and demanded that the relevant code be removed from the software development platform GitHub. The code was deleted the same day, although it is unknown how long it was exposed or the magnitude of the breach.

Twitter is also requesting a court order from the Northern District of California revealing the name of the individual who submitted the code on GitHub. The company is concerned that the stolen code may expose new vulnerabilities or allow malicious parties to access the data of Twitter users. Twitter officials believe the leak was initiated by a “disgruntled employee who left the company within a year.”

The leak of Twitter source code is concerning, especially because it may promote further hacker efforts. Under Elon Musk’s leadership, the company has already lost users and advertising owing to insecurity and a rise in fraudsters and white supremacists after its acquisition for $44 billion last October. This hack’s danger might be the deciding factor for users and marketers.

Elon Musk, Twitter’s new CEO, and the company must work rapidly to rebuild user confidence and enhance security procedures. Nevertheless, the impact of the leaked code is currently unknown, and more information will be published in the future. The stolen code might have major consequences for Twitter’s future orientation, and how the company will handle the situation remains to be seen.

What to Do When a Laptop Gets Wet in the Rain

When a Laptop Gets Wet in the Rain

When most people think about water damage to a laptop, your first assumption is spilling water on it. It’s common for laptop users to drop a beverage on their machines. However, there is another likely scenario. You may be in rainy weather, leaving your laptop unshielded from the drizzle. While a few drops of rain may not seem like much, they still pose a significant risk.

Although you wouldn’t know based on its appearance alone, rainwater has high acidic levels. It is more acidic than pure water from taps or stores. Of course, rainwater is less severe than sugar-based or alcoholic fluids, which are known to be conductive and corrosive. Nonetheless, rain can still cause significant damage, so don’t underestimate its harmful effects on your electronics.

A laptop shouldn’t be used or left in the rain. Moisture may get inside the device, ruining the motherboard and internal components. When your laptop gets wet due to the weather, it’s essential to act fast. Every minute matters because water damage can happen quickly. A delayed response in treating your wet laptop may result in permanent failure.

Hope isn’t lost if your laptop gets a little rain on it. Here is what to do when a laptop becomes wet from the rain.

Turn off your laptop

Power down your laptop. Keep it turned off. If the device is running from a power outlet, unplug it. When the laptop gets turned on, there’s a risk of short-circuiting. You don’t want to incur moisture, humidity, or water damage.

Remove the laptop battery

Take out the laptop battery. You don’t want liquid reaching the battery unit, causing an electrical hazard. However, only remove the battery after turning off the laptop and unplugging it from the power outlets. Wait until you finish removing all electrical connections from the device. Additionally, remove all other detachable components, like USB drives, flash drives, and memory cards. Leave your laptop bare.

Use a lint-free towel to soak up moisture

If your laptop gets wet in the rain, use a towel to wipe its exterior surfaces and absorb the excess rainwater. The most effective material is a lint-free towel, which soaks moisture competently. A quick, thorough wipe removes water from your laptop’s components and helps with drying.

Turn your laptop upside down

Many people recommend turning your laptop upside down, but it’s a step you should proceed with caution. On some designs, doing so can stress your device’s screen hinges. If you are confident, open the laptop and turn it upside in a V-like formation. That will stop the water from settling down and going further into the machine.

Never use a hairdryer on a laptop

It’s best not to use a hairdryer to dry a wet laptop. A hairdryer may push around moisture. Depending on where the water lands, it can also stain and corrode certain parts. Any hairdryer or direct heat can also cause static problems. That increases the risk of permanent damage to your laptop.

Let your laptop dry for 48 hours

Store your laptop in a cool, dry place for 48 hours before using it again. Let the air reach as much of the laptop as possible. Doing so should eliminate the rain moisture in your laptop.

After an extended wait, it may be safe to turn on your laptop again. Try the touchpad and the keys. Also, try the Internet connection to see how the browser functions. If everything works like it should, congratulations! Otherwise, you may want to seek help from a laptop repair technician.

Get a new laptop

If your laptop doesn’t work after trying the above solutions, it may be in dire condition. You may want to make one last-ditch effort and visit a technician for help. The professional can tell you whether it’s worth troubleshooting. If not, they may recommend that you buy a new laptop.

Although the weather is unpredictable, some laptops are designed to withstand the elements. The ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED is a durable powerhouse that has undergone rigorous testing to meet MIL-STD 810H military standards. These tests include operation in extreme humidity and temperatures. The rugged laptop exterior gives users peace of mind knowing their device can endure the occasional rain shower or high humidity. It’s an optimal device for those who work in challenging climates.

Back up your data immediately

If you can get your laptop working, now is the time to back up all the critical information on the hard drive. You can do so either with a USB key or an external hard drive. Save all the necessary photos, videos, documents, and anything else you don’t want to lose. 

A wet laptop is unpredictable. It may work erratically, so don’t take any chances. Back up all your files and folders that are important to you. Even if the damaged device doesn’t work again, you can transfer the information to your new laptop.

Microsoft Bing Sees Increase in Users with New AI-Powered Chat Feature

Microsoft Bing search engine has gained pace on Google by introducing an AI-driven chat feature powered by GPT-4. According to Reuters, Bing has seen a 15.8% rise in page views since the feature’s introduction, resulting in more than 100 million daily active users for the first time.

The success of Bing’s new chat feature demonstrates that Microsoft’s attempt to counter Google’s search market domination is succeeding. According to analyst Gil Luria, even a tiny fraction of Google’s consumers shifting to Bing would significantly benefit Microsoft. Google’s user counts dropped by around 1% during the same period, allowing Bing to gain even more ground.

Mobile app downloads have increased in response to Bing’s recent success. Bing had around eight times the number of downloads as Google, while Google’s downloads were down around 2%. This shows that Bing’s AI-powered chat function is appealing to consumers and aiding the company’s distinction from Google.

Google, on the other hand, is not sitting idle. The company recently released a preview of its generative AI-powered chatbot, Bard, in the United States and the United Kingdom, hinting at future integrations with Google products such as Search and Workspace. While Bing has surpassed Google regarding AI-powered solutions, it is evident that Google is not far behind.

Bing and Google’s battle is set to heat up in the future as both companies use AI to improve their search capabilities. The success of Bing’s AI-powered chat function is encouraging for Microsoft, but only time will tell whether it can genuinely compete with Google in the long run.

First Detailed Information About Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Chip Leaked

Qualcomm Rebrands Snapdragon SoC

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 was released last year and helped to restore the company’s reputation after the previous generation’s shortcomings. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, codenamed “Lanai” or “Pineapple,” is expected to perform even better, according to a notable developer and leaker, Kuba Wojciechowski.

Wojciechowski shared the first detailed information about the upcoming chip on Twitter, revealing that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will feature a 2+3+2+1 layout, which differs from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s 1+2+2+3 configuration. The new chip will reportedly use two all-new Arm CPU cores, one big Cortex-X core called Hunter ELP (which Qualcomm refers to as Gold Plus cores), and five medium-sized Cortex-A7xx cores. These five new cores will be divided into two Titanium cores and three Gold cores, with Wojciechowski speculating that the Titanium cores may have higher clock speeds or more cache.

In addition, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will feature two smaller Cortex-A5xx series cores, codenamed Hayes, which will be the successor to the current Cortex-A510 core. This suggests that the chip will see three new Arm CPU cores.

It is worth noting that these new cores from Arm are expected to replace the current lineup. Additionally, the new chip will drop 32-bit support entirely and only support 64-bit. While Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 had some regression in 32-bit support, this move shouldn’t surprise as Android has been heading in that direction for a while.

The leak suggests that there will be fewer little cores in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, although it is unclear what this reduction means for overall efficiency. With more mid-cores, particularly with the potential improvements in speed and cache of the Titanium cores, the chip’s multi-core performance metrics should improve even further. While it remains to be seen if the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will surpass Apple’s chip, many are looking forward to its release.