Ricoh has published details from a survey of 7,000 workers and 1,800 decision-makers across Europe. The study looked at attitudes towards automation. When asked, Ricoh indicated that there is no report attached to this data at present. Which is unusual for such as large study.
It is almost impossible to read vendor announcements without some mention of automation. However, while both decision-makers and employees are eager to automate their boring, manual processes, there are still barriers that exist that hinder them.
Around 32% of employees reported that they still have no access to process automation technologies. Business Leaders reflected a similar percentage. With both citing the slow adoption of process automation as the joint top frustration (27%) alongside technology integration issues.
Challenges to the adoption of automation
Business leaders have some fears about automation that are hindering their processes. Top of mind is the impact any transformation will have on business during any transition. Ricoh believes that fears around business continuity are uppermost.
There is uncertainty about which systems business leaders should look to automate. 30% of decision-makers want to receive guidance about which systems need integration and automation without disruption. The fear is understandable when considering the impact of any failed transformation project.
This fear translates into projects that are often isolated and tactical rather than bold and strategic. 55% of business leaders feel that investments are made in isolation effectively. Ricoh’s interpretation would be that each department still automates processes without consideration of the impact of these changes on other departments within the business.
Why automation is important beyond productivity
Ricoh also points out that automation is not just about increasing efficiency and productivity; employees want more fulfilling jobs and less of the boring manual tasks to improve their satisfaction. Around a quarter of employees reported that their fulfilment at work would be improved if they had the right tech too, to free up their time for more rewarding work.
The right technology can also help reduce employee turnover. 21% indicated that better tech would reduce the likelihood of them leaving the firm within the next 12 months.
While Ricoh indicates that automation tech is included within this, no detailed data was provided to validate the claim.
Nicola Downing, CEO of Ricoh Europe, said, “In an era of increasing employee apathy, process automation technologies can play a key role in helping employees feel fulfilled by reducing the time spent on tedious tasks and enabling them to focus on more rewarding and creative work.
“However, I know first-hand that the C-suite is justified in being cautious to disrupt mission critical systems, considering the ramifications if things go wrong. By partnering with a reliable digital expert who offers proven technical expertise and the right teams, businesses can confidently embrace automation and enjoy its benefits with minimal disruption.”
Enterprise Times: What does this mean
It is disappointing that Ricoh were unable to share any full report or further data from this announcement. There are some interesting statistics in the snapshot that it did reveal. It might have gone much deeper into the points raised within the questions and answers that were shared. It also isn’t clear whether there was a qualitative element to this survey to find out some more details behind the fears of business leaders around automation.
One key point emerges is that business leaders need to carefully consider their approach to digital transformation projects. They cannot be seen as departmental in focus alone, especially pilots. By restricting pilots to existing silos, they are missing an opportunity for other teams. Both to understand what is happening and see the benefits of transformation.
The research was conducted by Opinion Matters on behalf of Ricoh Europe. It was conducted in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.
