Introduction to Business Disruptions and Automation

Several big events have disrupted business processes around the world. Organizations have seen disruptions to supply chains, work in office has moved to remote locations or work from home. And even industries we thought to be untouchable have had mass layoffs or changes in their strategies and approaches. In order to stay afloat during the transitions, many organizations have turned to automation and automated workflows.

The Automation Landscape

There are several options on the market, and when you start your search for information, you might think your options are Zapier or Zapier alternatives. And while it might be your perfect fit, it’s important to take a look at the best fit for you and not just the first available option. First, let’s understand what kind of automated workflows you need.

Why Use Automated Workflows?

The average person has heard of automation, mainly when it comes to the industrialized world. And the next thing is probably chatbots. But automation is so much more than bots, automated responses, or physical tasks are taken on by robots. Today, companies like Zapier, Workato, Tray.io, and Wrk are looking to be more than just bots. There’s a convergence of technology—bots, APIs, RPAs—and in some cases, like Wrk, they add an extra little something: a skilled community of humans. At Wrk, we match the right tech—or humans—for each task. Our automated Wrkflows are designed based on your processes. not processes LIKE your processes, which are actually matched to the apps and steps required to complete a workflow. We combine the best things about people and their creativity with the best automation software on the market. Zapier is excellent in what they do, but if you need unique and tailored workflows that don’t just mimic humans, then you’ll need to look further.

What Do We Mean by Automation Software?

In general, automation software is made up of apps that make it less necessary to do manual or repetitive tasks by hand. Automation software can be used in many different ways in almost any industry. Not all automation platforms are created equal, but they all use the same basic premise; they are designed to turn your day-to-day, repeatable tasks into automated steps or actions. Research from The Economist Intelligence Unit shows that 93% of companies say automation can kickstart digital transformation. “Automation,” however, isn’t just one strategy, nor is it even just one technology. Once you get deeper into your research, you’ll find terms like Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Application Programming Interface (API). Each has its advantages and disadvantages and finding the best of both worlds is probably the right fit for you. We break down the difference here: Choosing the right automation technology for you is only half the battle. You’ll need to discuss your strategies with experts (and with your current team), and tackle which processes are your priorities. RPA can be set up quickly and start showing results right away, but API has lower costs for maintenance and support. The best strategies, therefore, combine a bit of both—like you’ll find with Wrk with the Hybrid Automation approach. Read more on how integration platforms can fall short here.

Where Other Automation Solutions Fall Short

Now that we know the terms a bit better, you might be starting to see the pattern. If the app you’re using doesn’t have a clean API, software like Zapier may fall short. These solutions work specifically with templated automated workflows. So, if you have a more generic process, you’ll easily be able to integrate and benefit from software like Zapier. However, if you need a more complex API or a custom workflow, it is limited to what is currently available in the marketplace. With that said, some of the Zapier alternatives, like Integromat, are great for more complex business processes, but they can be very costly. This also means that the ramp-up and IT experience you may need to work with a more complex tool is MUCH higher. Going with a platform like Zapier then, will require you to get creative with your integrations and workflows, or pay a pretty penny with an alternative. Another issue that some people run into is that your users don’t want over-complicated applications just to benefit from your products. Most don’t want to be put to work just to access what you have to offer. Until Wrk came along, you really only had 2 options, complicated and costly, or simplified and limited.

How Wrk Can Help

We are intimately aware that every business is on the path to automation. The challenge that many companies are finding is that the process is confusing, time-consuming, and not transparent. While you’re busy looking for answers, the process becomes exhausting, and you end up paying for things unnecessarily. Wrk’s Hybrid Automation Platform equips you with the best automation technology, ready for you to get ramped up immediately. We boast a no-code, no-IT-heavy platform that gives you immediate access to drag-n-drop Wrkflows or templated Wrkflows. Whether it’s having your Lead Enrichment Wrkflows find you the best leads in the background or Deduplication setting you up with a clean and updated list to work off, we combine your processes and our knowledge to guarantee that you’re doing the tasks that you excel at. Whatever your work demands, we've got you covered. The process is far from easy, but we make it simpler to get started. We make sure that you're a part of the process. Check out our platform today and book a quick meeting with our experts to discuss next steps.