Technology allows people to accomplish business tasks without being anywhere near a traditional office.
The flexibility to work offsite without having to later report to an office to enter data or complete forms is terrific for efficiency and preventing boredom and low morale. But it’s just as important today as it ever was to complete tasks without missing steps, and automated workflows were made for this exact situation. Choice of workflow software is a prime determinant of how well a company can ensure these offsite processes are accomplished as intended.
Here are some examples of how automated workflows ensure that tasks completed offsite are done completely and efficiently.
Creative Processes Offsite Benefit from Defined Workflows
Media companies that depend on offsite reporters, photographers, or videographers work optimally when both the people in the field and the people in the office have defined expectations about roles and responsibilities. For example, a photographer covering an event generally needs to do more than simply transfer images to an editor or upload them to a project page.
Automated workflows can do things like automatically extract EXIF data from images, note time and date stamps, and forward images to the people who determine what size they need to be and how they need to be included in content.
Reporters working offsite can use automated workflows to not only submit content, but to designate keywords, upload reference links, and provide other information editors require to do their work. The right workflow software can help businesses create custom workflows that make things easier on everyone.
Sales Reps in the Field Can Be Confident They Don’t Miss Anything
Sales representatives may feel like they’re juggling several roles any time they’re on a sales call. They function as ambassadors for the company, are prepared to present the correct marketing information, and have to be ready to close deals. Automated workflows that coordinate these activities help ensure that no critical steps are neglected in the path from initially meeting a sales lead to when they sign a contract.
Workflows for accessing CRM data (from Salesforce, for example), for finding the exact marketing material needed, and for developing a custom sales contract can be created using the right workflow software. The result can be a shorter sales cycle, fewer misunderstandings, and current, accurate customer information in the system at all times.
Workflows Benefit Telecommuters
Telecommuting is a reality for an increasing number of businesses, and while traditional phone calls and emails can go a long way toward making sure processes go as intended, workflows can help further. Telecommuter workflows for things like training, timekeeping, and claiming assignments are more helpful than informational emails, and can be used to ensure that all records from both in-office and telecommuting workers are consistently formatted and complete.
The telecommuters themselves often appreciate automated workflows as well, because they can be confident they have completed their work without forgetting any steps, and that they are creating documentation that can be referred to in the future should some question arise.
Workflows for offsite projects should be mobile-friendly whenever possible, because it makes more sense for many workers outside the office to use tablets and phones rather than laptops. Therefore, it’s essential to choose workflow software that creates forms and workflows that work properly on mobile devices.
PerfectApps is an ideal partner for developing custom workflows for projects that take place away from the office. No programming is required to create fully-customized online forms and workflows that are mobile-friendly and that interface with other office systems like spreadsheets, Salesforce and databases.
Defined workflows keep everyone on the same page, and they mean that far less time is spent tracking down information later. We invite you to check out some of the many PerfectApps case studies to see the unique and creative ways that PerfectApps is being used to help businesses operate optimally.
