Legacy industries, such as manufacturing, energy, finance, logistics, and healthcare, dominate 70% of the global market. Despite their size and importance, these sectors have traditionally relied on outdated technologies and long-standing operational models that are deeply entrenched in manual processes.

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While many sectors have adapted to modern technologies and included automation within their workflows, legacy industries are still reluctant to take the path of digital transformation.

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Several factors contribute to this reluctance - resistance to change, high implementation costs, and the challenge of integrating new technologies with existing systems. As a result, these industries often carry on with tedious manual processes that usually make modernization difficult. However, Gartner analysts predict over 95% of new digital workloads will be deployed on cloud-native platforms by 2025, offering a pathway to overcome these challenges with workflow automation. 

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The role of workflow automation in digital transformation 

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Workflow automation involves simplifying tasks with the help of specialized tools that manage manual and repetitive tasks. By automating these tasks, organizations can reduce the time spent on mundane activities, eliminate human error, and enable employees to focus on higher-value tasks. 

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For legacy industries, workflow automation is particularly valuable as it can potentially integrate seamlessly with existing systems, minimizing disruption while providing immediate efficiency improvements. One of the key advantages of workflow automation is its ability to operate within the framework of older technologies, allowing legacy businesses to adopt digital tools without having to overhaul their entire infrastructure.

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For example, tasks like data entry, document approvals, and compliance checks can be automated, moving these industries away from manual handling toward digital workflows. This shift lays the foundation for broader digital transformation by converting manual tasks into digital ones.

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It also helps industries achieve the core three components of digital transformation - efficiency, scalability, and consistency. By handling larger task volumes without adding resources, automation helps legacy industries become more adaptable to market changes. It can allow employees to focus on innovation and strategic work, which encourages a fundamental cultural shift toward continuous improvement and sets the base for further digital transformation.

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How to adopt workflow automation?

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While the benefits of workflow automation are clear, the adoption journey requires careful planning. Here are some key strategies to consider during this transition -

• Assess existing systems and define business objectives: Identify the gaps and weaknesses in your current legacy systems, understanding the limitations related to the integration of automation tools. Focus on areas that are repetitive and prone to errors, ensuring that you can document the entire process for automation. This should be done following the larger business goals, be it improving efficiency, reducing costs, or enhancing accuracy.
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• Phased implementation: Don’t go all in as it tends to make the shift messy and confusing, making employees even more reluctant to try it. Start small, with one process at a time. Map out the workflow, deploy the tool, and assess the success of this automation before gradually moving on to the next. This will build confidence in employees for the automation system and minimize the risk of disruptions. It’s also important to try and test out different tools before deciding which one is apt for your business.
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• Employee training: Engage with your employees and ensure their buy-in for the transformation. Providing comprehensive training on these automation tools is vital for them to adopt them. The fear of these tools replacing them is palpable and the context must be set within the organization, especially within legacy industries. Select tools that offer adequate resources for training and support, as this can help ease the process. This process ensures that the workforce understands how automation works, how it benefits them, and how they can work alongside these tools to improve overall productivity.
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• System compatibility: With legacy industries, the biggest challenge is integrating automation tools with the broader existing systems. It’s important to select flexible, compatible automation solutions that work well with legacy technologies without requiring a complete overhaul. No-code or low-code tools, like Tiny Command, can also allow easier adoption for companies without extensive technical teams.
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• Ongoing evaluation and optimization: You cannot set up automation tools and forget them. After implementation, you need to constantly monitor and evaluate the systems to understand how it’s functioning within your legacy architecture. Create feedback loops to optimize the processes in alignment with your company goals and requirements. Institute regular reviews of the automated processes to ensure adaptation based on changing business needs and any tech advancements.

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‍Benefits of workflow automation for legacy industries 

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Implementing workflow automation offers several vital benefits for legacy industries, driving both operational improvements and competitive advantages. 
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• Increased efficiency and reduced manual intervention
• Reduced costs and strategic resource allocation
• Data-driven decision-making with real-time insights
• Automated compliance and risk management
• Improved customer service with 24/7 availability
• Enhance scalability and agile growth
   

Examples of workflow automation in legacy industries

All this might seem like a far-fetched concept for leaders of legacy industries. However several industries have already started adapting to automation. 
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• Banking institutions go through heavy paperwork daily, so to reduce manual oversight and chances of error they implement automation in their workflow in areas like loan processing and compliance. Reviewing complex documents of loan processes that would otherwise take hours when done manually, are now processed in minutes with automation. Additionally, it can also maintain compliance standards by tracking and reporting on financial data. 
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• Manufacturers implement automation for supply chain management, stock inventory, and maintenance routines. This leads to faster process times and reduced disruptions in the processes which if handled manually can be chaotic. Automation also helps find potential faults with machines resulting in timely damage-control. 

Legacy industries need to step into the present and transform digitally, with automation being an important part of this shift. To keep their position strong in a competitive market, these industries must realize that automation is their tool for the future. 

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Want to learn about automation in detail? Read our blogs for more information. 

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