Neomind

Author: Felipe Bahiense

  • Learn more about Hardware Sizing

    Learn more about Hardware Sizing

    The first thing companies ask themselves when they need to implement a new piece of software or feature, is about hardware requirements: “What are the specifications?” or even “Will our servers support it?”. Another common scenario where the same doubts arise is when an IT manager starts receiving complaints regarding poor system performance from its users. At this point, the following question arises: “Is our environment (server) still suitable for the current demand?”

    These are very common questions, but due to several involved factors, finding answers is not always as simple as it may seem. To address this, it’s essential to understand Hardware Sizing, or Sizing in short.

    But first, let’s grasp the concept of Software Sizing.

    To discuss Hardware Sizing, we need to have a brief understanding of Software Sizing, which involves quantifying the size of software (or a part of it). In this case, we’re talking about determining the size of the software, not the effort invested in developing it. Some ways to measure software size include analyzing Function Points (FPs) or Lines Of Code (LOC). The size and complexity of a software piece are crucial factors for hardware sizing.

    And what is Hardware Sizing?

    A simple definition of Hardware Sizing is: “An approximation of the hardware resources needed to support a software implementation”.

    Like any theoretical model, it’s important to note that this is an approximation of reality but often yields much more reliable results than a mere “guess.” More importantly, supporting the software implementation means it should not only run but run with adequate performance and meet user needs.

    Depending on the project or software to be implemented, various approaches can be taken when it comes to Hardware Sizing, always involving the analysis of factors such as:

    ● Routine complexity: Predicting which complex routines will require more processing power (software sizing is highly applicable here).

    ● User count: The more users (especially concurrent users), the greater the processing and storage volume required.

    ● Transaction volume: Knowing the complexity of function “X,” how many times will it be used?

    ● Storage: How much space will each initiated transaction occupy (referring to database and hard disk storage)?

    ● Growth: What is the expected software usage growth for the next few years? What is a safe margin to have hardware reserves to extend the investment’s lifespan?

    These factors can be estimated from scratch or based on historical data from an existing environment. Combining these factors allows establishing a calculation basis that determines the appropriate hardware, justifying and safeguarding any hardware investment.

    As mentioned, each software project may require a different approach to sizing. Hardware and software providers have various articles on the correct sizing of their products (Dell servers,

    SQL Server and Oracle databases, for example). Market methodologies for this type of measurement also exist, such as TPC-C (Transaction Processing Performance Council – Benchmark C), which we commonly use in our clients’ sizing projects.

    Methodologies for Hardware Sizing

    The TPC-C methodology is a benchmark for online transaction processing (OLTP). In this benchmark, combinations of servers and databases from various manufacturers are measured, determining the transaction index they support. In essence, with the methodology and the factors mentioned above, it’s possible to calculate an approximate necessary index. This calculation can then be compared with already measured equipment to determine the required hardware or assess the suitability of current hardware.

    Another method of Hardware Sizing is to conduct synthetic tests with the application through load testing. Automated testing tools (such as JMeter) can be used to determine how many simultaneous transactions a simple processor can support. If the simple station supports 100 simultaneous transactions but it’s determined that there will be 1000 concurrent users, it’s known that to handle 1000 simultaneous transactions, equipment with 10 times the computing power of the simple processor is needed. This type of study (pre-implementation when the application has not yet been deployed) can greatly assist in accurate hardware sizing.

    In conclusion

    As we can see, determining the necessary processing capacity for software can be a complex task, and merely adhering to minimum requirements provided by a supplier may not yield the desired results. It’s also essential to emphasize that there is no magic formula, but fortunately, we have a range of tools that can help. Regardless of the method used, proper Hardware Sizing must be conducted so that software solutions can achieve the necessary performance and ensure greater productivity for the company. For our clients, our consulting team offers Sizing services for Fusion environments. If needed, we will be glad to address all your queries.

  • Data Science x Big Data x Data Analytics

    Data Science x Big Data x Data Analytics

    Using data is constantly rising. Organizations are more and more dependent on how they acquire and analyze data to extract accurate information for their business areas. This is where three interconnected terms come into play: Data Science, Big Data, and Data Analytics.

    What is Data Science?

    Widely spread in the market, Data Science refers to an entire process of data collection, transformation, and analysis. Information is creatively extracted through a set of methods and tools by a dedicated professional who aims to:

    1. Understand their company’s business and;

    2. Identify patterns that are beneficial for the company’s decision-making processes.

    However, Data Science is not possible without Big Data.

    So, what is Big Data?

    Big Data, something that has been steadily growing since 2012, can be defined as a set of techniques capable of analyzing large quantities of data to generate results that would be difficult to achieve with smaller volumes (we talk more about it in this article).

    For a better understanding of Big Data, we can define the three pillars that comprise it:

    • Volume: Big Data is a massive amount of data, not just Terabytes but Petabytes and Exabytes, which are millions of Gigabytes. In 2020, the forecast was that 40 Exabytes of data would be generated annually;
    • Velocity: Depending on a company’s business, one minute can be too long, whether it’s for detecting fraud, analyzing medical data, or dealing with time-sensitive information;
    • Variety: Big Data encompasses all kinds of data, whether it comes from text, sensors, web navigation, social media, online stores, your smartphone, and many other data sources.

    And what about Data Analytics?

    To conclude the concepts discussed in this article, we have Data Analytics. It refers to the systematic use and analysis of data for efficient decision-making. It is widely applied in areas such as Marketing, Retail, Finances, and so on.

    All this analysis is done using methods such as:

    • Statistical Modeling;
    • Forecasting;
    • Text Mining;
    • Experiment Design, among others.

    Use cases

    Digital Advertising – From banners displayed on websites to digital screens at airports, all content is determined by Data Science algorithms. This is how digital ads leverage the necessary data to target ads to specific users based on their behavior. For example, an ad that is shown to you on a website may be different from the one that appears for another user on the same site.

    Recommendation Systems – Amazon’s website provides a clear example of the use of Business Intelligence (BI), Data Analytics, and Data Science. Through data collection and Data Science algorithms, it enhances users’ experiences, helping them to find relevant products.

    In addition to Amazon, companies like Netflix, Twitter, LinkedIn, and so many others have been using Data Science algorithms to improve user experiences with more accurate and relevant content.

  • Identifying Risks Associated with Process Changes

    Identifying Risks Associated with Process Changes

    Change is inherent to any businesses that seek to enhance how their work is performed in pursuit of growth and competitiveness. Risk management is essential to mitigate the impacts generated by these modifications.

    Many companies that aim to improve their operations introduce technological resources like automation. This solution enhances productivity within the company.

    However, effective management is necessary for identifying and addressing the risks inherent to process changes.

    Undoubtedly, as years go by, there have been and will continue to be significant changes in how work is carried out.

    Implementing an integrated management platform positively transforms a company. But it’s common to face challenges that must be managed for automation to succeed.

    Understanding potential risks associated with process changes allows companies to prepare adequately beforehand. This readiness includes preventive measures capable of minimizing potentialy negative outcomes.

    Risk management plays a fundamental role in process changes, especially when we talk about best practices and strategies to mitigate risks and tackle the challenges of process changes.

    What are the risks associated with process changes?

    Identifying process changes risks is a fundamental part of risk management. This detailed analysis enables companies to get ready for any challenges that may arise.

    In this regard, some common risks that should be considered in risk management include:

    • Resistance to change: unquestionably, this is one of the most common risks. Regardless of the benefits gained, it’s entirely normal for employees to have a critical attitude. This risk can lead to lack of cooperation or even more serious issues like sabotage. To mitigate this risk, it’s essential to establish transparent communication, explain the benefits, involve the team in the implementation stages, provide training, and offer support.
    • Lack of skills or knowledge: risk management must also consider that employees’ lack of knowledge about changes can result in operational difficulties. Professionals must be familiar with and comfortable using the newly adopted tools and methods for performing their tasks to achieve the proposed gains.
    • Activities disruption: when changes involve new technologies, temporary interruptions in operations can occur. To reduce this kind of hindrance, planning the implementation of your chosen tools is essential.
    • Impact on products or services: process changes can affect products or services’ quality. Planning and conducting early tests can prevent such occurrences and maintain the business’s reputation.

    Other risks that may be encountered include scope changes, lack of clarity, increased costs, tight deadlines, and more.

    How to classify a risk?

    Risk management focuses on identifying an event, its consequences, and the causes or situations that allowed something to happen. Based on these principles, risks can be assessed as high, medium, or low, depending on their impacts.

    As a graphical representation, these risks can take on colors such as red, yellow, and green. Risk classification varies considerably and should be considered within the company’s environment.

    Companies in the same industry may have unique characteristics. Therefore, what may be a high risk for one may not be so for another.

    To correctly classify risks, it will be necessary to assess their impact on the process, the likelihood of occurrence, severity (financial damage or regulation issues), urgency of solution, and relevance.

    Risk management needs to consider each category separately to provide a classification based on the organization’s context. This analysis should be carried out by both specialists and those involved in the processes.

    Those with knowledge of the execution can more accurately estimate the probability of each risk occurring.

    Risk Management and Automation

    Business Process Management, also known as BPM, helps mitigate these risks associated with process changes.

    Automation tools map and standardize processes to ensure a consistent activity flow, performing them always in the same way. This approach defines logical sequences, rules, and standards for correct execution, reducing the risk of errors and variations.

    Another point is that the use of BPMS solutions provides more concise risk management based on real-time data.

    The control provided by this technology allows for monitoring entire processes, from start to finish, including the implemented changes and their effects. Therefore, preventive measures are based on detailed reports on performance and actions.

    Detailed records and reports that enable traceability make it possible to identify potential risks, detect anomalies, and facilitate the implementation of improvements.

    However, for all of this to be possible, the automation platform must be adaptable to your business, including the changes that will be applied to processes.

    One of the major risks of using technology is being unable to modify internal execution due to a rigid solution.

    Fusion Platform is a fully low-code, user-friendly platform ready to be configured and adjusted to meet your business’s specific needs.

    Additionally, it offers mobility of access, integration with other solutions, and constant updates. Neomind seeks to provide the best technological resources to its clients.

    Try Fusion Platform to ensure greater efficiency and speed in your processes. Reduce processing time and the risks associated with process changes.

    Take advantage of the platform to enhance risk management and increase adaptability to necessary changes, and ensure that your process transitions bring successful outcomes with Fusion Platform!

  • How to Identify and Manage Production Bottlenecks?

    How to Identify and Manage Production Bottlenecks?

    When we think about production, we often imagine that to achieve efficiency in processes, we need significant investments in machinery and technology. While this may make sense depending on the industry and factory size, the capacity of manufacturing is not always constrained by a lack of technology.

    Of course, we understand that in the Industry 4.0 age investments in technology are increasingly essential and can lead to significant competitive advantages. However, it’s also crucial to recognize that something, even with all the tech, may be interrupting production processes.

    Often overlooked but extremely essential is the analysis of the real versus potential capacity of processes. This is done by identifying and managing production bottlenecks. We explain more about this in this article. Good reading!

    Understanding Production Bottlenecks

    Before discussing production bottlenecks specifically, let’s imagine a bottle filled with small stones. When we turn the bottle upside down, we notice that the stones start to accumulate in the bottleneck of the bottle. When this happens, only a few stones can escape, while the rest remain stuck to the point that no more can come out.

    This idea applies precisely to production bottlenecks. They occur when one production station produces more than the subsequent station can handle, causing a slowdown in the production line.

    To better understand this, let’s take an example of a factory that produces jam packaging. The machine can produce a thousand packages per hour. Once the packages are produced, they go to the labeling department. However, the labeling machine can only apply 800 labels per hour. This creates a production bottleneck.

    In such a case, either the packaging production must be reduced to match the labeling machine’s capacity, not utilizing its full capacity, or the production should continue at the same pace, and the unlabeled packages should be stored, increasing costs.

    The bad news about bottlenecks is that due to a lack of process control, they are often recognized only after causing a blockage in the workflow. The good news is that there are ways to fix the situation. Below are some steps to follow:

    1. Identify the problem:

    To correct production bottlenecks, it is necessary to understand where it starts (input). Bottlenecks can result from a cumulative effect or be caused by a particular workstation. In the case of cumulative bottlenecks, it means that several stations are producing more than the subsequent station can handle. As a result, each station becomes slightly overloaded until one becomes completely overwhelmed.

    In the example of the packaging factory, the production bottleneck is not cumulative, as only one station produces more than the next. In situations like this, it is easier to solve the problem, and it will not be necessary to renew the entire production.

    2. Use the 5 Whys technique:

    This is a more in-depth problem-solving tool. To use it, you start with the problem you need to solve and work backward, continuously questioning why the problem is occurring. The technique is called “5 Whys,” but you should keep asking questions until you reach the root cause.

    For example:

    Problem: Production slowdown.

    1. Why is production slowing down?

    Because the operators are not working efficiently.

    1. Why are they not operating efficiently?

    Because the machines experience frequent interruptions.

    1. Why are there interruptions?

    Because they require frequent maintenance.

    1. Why do they require frequent maintenance?

    Because they cannot handle the incoming raw material capacity.

    1. Why can’t they handle it?

    Because they are receiving too much raw material from the previous station.

    In this simple scenario, if we assumed that the problem was due to lack of productivity, the company might think that hiring more employees would solve it. However, identifying the bottleneck helps focus on the actual issue.

    3. Process Mapping:

    The 5 Whys technique is useful when production bottlenecks are more visible. However, it is essential to consider the entire process and its flow. This means identifying all steps, involved parties, objectives, decisions, and flows of an existing process. This is known as Process Mapping.

    To identify production bottlenecks, it is crucial to understand the entire flow of activities, especially when cumulative bottlenecks occur. Process mapping is excellent for gathering all information about inefficiencies and production bottlenecks, enabling them to be eliminated or reduced. In such cases, the use of BPMS software (Business Process Management) is recommended, a tool that not only helps model processes more efficiently but also facilitates process mapping and bottleneck identification.

    To learn more, access the articles:

    4. Develop an action plan (PDCA cycle):

    Once you have identified the production bottlenecks, it’s time to take action. Here, you can adopt the PDCA approach: Plan, Do, Check, Act. Besides being an excellent problem-solving tool, the PDCA cycle aims at the continuous improvement of processes. We explained how the PDCA cycle works in this article if you need more information. By adopting it, you create an action plan where everyone involved knows what needs to be done, what is being done, as well as the deadlines and costs.

    5. Monitor results:

    As we always emphasize in our blog when dealing with processes, continuous improvement should be sought. Therefore, never forget that production processes should always be measured. The tip is to use key performance indicators (KPIs). Whenever bottlenecks are identified, take prompt action to improve the process (which is why process mapping is so important).

    In conclusion

    Bottlenecks slow down the production line, causing losses. There is no factory that does not face this problem, which is why processes must always be monitored.

    In this article, we presented some steps you can take to identify and resolve production bottlenecks. It is ideal to have tools that can optimize our activities; thus, we recommend the use of BPMS software. BPMS solutions aim to make business processes and entire workflows more efficient and adaptable to constant organizational changes.

    To be sure of the return on investment in this tool, download our ROI calculator. And if you want to better understand business processes and what a BPM solution can do to eliminate bottlenecks and make your company even more productive, contact us!

  • What Document Management Does for Your Business: From Workflow Organization to a Paperless Environment

    What Document Management Does for Your Business: From Workflow Organization to a Paperless Environment

    How does your business deal with the information that comes to it, whether digital or not? According to the AIIM (Association for Information and Image Management), the best way to deal with data is to capture it at the first point of contact. In other words, information should be digitally captured as soon as it enters your organization premises.

    • What is Electronic Document Management?
    • Why Implement Document Management?
      • Workflow organization
      • Paper to digital transformation
      • Access and security control
      • Version control, reviews and approvals
      • Digital signature
      • Content search

    A report published by AIIM (Improving Business Operations in 2017: Capturing Vital Content) states that 88% of its respondents are increasing their digital correspondence, while 60% say that their paper letters are decreasing. When it comes to invoices, 64% say that their paper invoices are reducing, while, for 69%, there is an increase in the number of digital invoices.

    What does this mean? In general terms, we can say that we are moving towards a paperless business culture. However, if there is a preference for documents in digital format, we need to think about a workflow that deals with its whole pipeline, from the conception to the storage of these documents. That’s where we come into the field of Document Management (Electronic Document Management – EDM).

    What is Electronic Document Management?

    Electronic Document Management (EDM), refers to the management of different types of documents through software (such as Fusion Platform). With a GED/ECM solution, users in a company can not only create a document or capture a printed copy in electronic format but also store, edit, process, print, and manage documents in image, video, audio, and text formats.

    Why to perform Document Management?

    A Document Management software brings benefits such as:

    1. Workflow organization
    2. Transformation of paper into digital information
    3. Access control and security
    4. Version control, revisions, and approvals
    5. Digital signature
    6. Content search

    Let’s see some examples:

    Workflow organization:

    GED solutions trigger collaborative workflows involving stakeholders responsible for taking actions on the document, such as signing (with a digital signature), editing, or commenting, while ensuring quality control.

    Flip the switch from paper to digital information:

    According to research conducted by AIIM, only 37% of respondents prefer paper for handling, reading, and note-taking. Thirty-two percent of them mentioned that their suppliers prefer information in digital format, and 27% cited the lack of senior management support to eliminate paper from their processes.

    Paper is still part of an organization’s routine. However, there are some points to consider:

    • Paper storage generates costs.
    • Paper documents are more prone to getting lost.
    • Managing a paper document is time-consuming.

    A good EDM software includes capture features. In general, Document Management solutions use various technologies such as semantic web or syntactic pattern recognition, allowing them to extract relevant information (keywords) from scanned documents.

    Thanks to Optical Character Recognition (OCR) – 20% of AIIM’s respondents mentioned that this technology is already in use in their companies for data capture – and Barcoding, all documents that have undergone digitization can be recognized. This means that those wasted hours searching for information in paper or desktop folders are eliminated.

    The explanation for this is simple: when the content is available to a solution that features data recognition, accessing information becomes much easier, requiring only the use of keywords, for example.

    When trying to understand what triggers the transformation of capture processes in businesses, AIIM found that 37% of their respondents cited exercises in cost savings in specific areas such as Accounts Payable, while 33% said it was an initiative to improve customer responsiveness.

    Therefore, through an intelligent DMS process, it is possible to automate tasks involving document management without human intervention, bringing costs down and increasing decision-making accuracy .

    Access control and security:

    A Document Management solution allows assigning access permissions to each document. Access can be granted to an individual user or a group of people.

    It is also possible to manage authorized individuals who can interact with documents through the creation of profiles and assignment of permissions. Through integration with file editing tools, a DMS software can lock functions such as Save, Save As, Print-Screen, Printing, and others.

    Version control, revisions, and approvals:

    With Document Management, it is also possible to configure and control the management of document versions, revisions, and approvals. This way, you can verify who made changes and when they occurred.

    Digital signature:

    Good DMS software enables electronic documents to be signed with certificates in the ICP-Brasil standard.

    Content search:

    Document Management through software – such as Fusion ECM – allows documents to be located by creation and editing dates, metadata, keywords, etc. This eliminates the time spent searching for a document in desktop folders, as the solution does all the locating work.

    Conclusion

    When discussing Document Management and the transformation of paper into digital information, it is common for people to imagine scanners spread throughout the company. However, the concept goes beyond that.

    We have previously addressed paperless companies and the importance of a this trend to the environment. Note that the concepts of paperless and DMS are related, as both mean much more than simply scanning documents. Therefore, to conclude, remember that Document Management encompasses both publication and/or digitization, as well as storage, access control, security, but most importantly, the recognition and retrieval of information that is relevant to your business.

  • What are quality indicators and why are they important?

    What are quality indicators and why are they important?

    As Robert Kaplan and David Norton, creators of the BSC (Balanced Scorecard) methodology said: “What is not measured is not managed.”

    To explain, in practice, you have probably already bought a product with a lower value than another, knowing that its quality could also be lower. Or that the service at a particular location was not very good, but you ended up giving in to it to save money.

    Each company should deliver what it proposes, setting a monetary value on the services or products it offers. But what happens if the company does not deliver what it promises at all? It’s frustrating, to say the least, isn’t it?

    Quality control would avoid mistakes (and frustrations). This is because a quality meter shows whether what is being proposed actually matches what is being delivered.

    In order to address the topic of Quality Indicators, it is important that we first get to know some key ideas present in indicators in general.

    What are quality indicators?

    Indicators are instruments that synthesize a set of information into a single value, therefore, they allow certain phenomena to be measured among themselves, or over a given period. Still, we can say that quality indicators are tools, that is, they are not an end in themselves, but a mean. Also known as KPIs (Key Performance Indicators, or Key Performance Indicators), they identify trends and behaviors and usually provide factual data about the performance of an organization.

    In this way, they allow the correction of possible deviations from the paths or directions of a company. We cannot forget to mention that the indicators are essential for a quality system, whose implementation brings benefits such as:

    ● Operating costs reduction;

    ● Greater customer satisfaction;

    ● Standardization and guarantee of greater process efficiency;

    ● Company organization.

    About the types of indicators, we highlight the following:

    Effectiveness Indicator (Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty)

    Measuring the degree of customer loyalty and satisfaction for any type of business is essential. Therefore, among quality indicators, effectiveness is very important. Some functions of this indicator include:

    ▪ Research customer satisfaction, studying the strength of the product or service in the market;

    ▪ Check if the customer would buy or use the services offered by the company again, or if they would recommend their services to others; ▪ Provide feedback, which is often the starting point for a performance evaluation process.

    Efficiency Indicator

    Among the quality indicators, this one analyzes productivity through production management software, for example, with purchase, cost, and delivery time modules, etc.

    It’s important to know how many times something needed or needs to be redone, or the resource that was used in that process. With this diagnosis, it is possible to identify the problems, and waste that must be avoided and, finally, allow for greater productivity.

    Service Indicator (Customer Complaints)

    Of the quality indicators, this understands that: the happier your customer is with the company, the more loyal they will be. It is important to stay tuned to this index, especially to monitor whether contact with the customer (including after-sales) is flowing correctly.

    Among the functions of this indicator, the following stand out:

    ● Check if the company’s “mechanism” is working well, if employees are successfully carrying out their duties and striving to provide the best service;

    ● Create a good relationship (always worrying about the customer even after closing the deal);

    ● Win customer loyalty and earn the company’s good reputation in the market.

    Effectiveness Indicator

    This one aims at the importance of always being aware of the news in your area of activity and competitors. If you want to know if your product or service really works, of the quality indicators discussed so far, this is the one that helps you understand what you offer your customers.

    Safety Indicator (Quality)

    It is these quality indicators that concretely demonstrate the performance of the product or service, to verify whether the health or physical integrity of the customer can be compromised.

    Through safety indicators, managers verify safety measures, certification requirements, and national and international standards.

    As you can see, the quality indicators discussed here allow the observation of certain aspects of reality, since they measure, observe and analyze reality according to a certain point of view.

    But be careful: don’t overdo the number or complexity of the indicators. They must talk to the demands of their customers and the criteria defined for the quality system.

    How can I use KPIs in my organization and how can this help boost my results?

    KPIs aid in your business processes’ effectiveness. Based on the indicator analysis results, managers can have a better view of whether it is necessary to change their strategy or whether the current strategy should be maintained, verifying how positive the results are.

    Quality indicators include everything related to the effectiveness, efficiency, and effectiveness of a company’s processes and the services offered to the customer. They evaluate the business performance in several aspects, including factors such as profitability, market competitiveness, sales, and turnover rates.

    Any company that aims at good performance needs to measure quality indicators, especially since they are tools that map organizational processes.

    To exemplify, a company must always have a critical view of service and product quality in order to create improvements that stand out from the competition.

    And for the company to make profits at the end of the month, two elements are essential: good service and quality products. Without them, you can even attract customers to the store, but you won’t be able to turn them into loyal customers.

    This is where the great importance of quality indicators comes in: they will allow the manager to have this critical view of quality, service, and product and especially how to create improvements, pointing out failures and also successes. If you are interested in the subject, also read the post: KPIs: what are they and how to define them to use them in the management of your company?

    Concluding

    Always follow up on quality indicators. Have an action plan in case the recorded data point to any deviation from the desired quality standard. Also, do not forget to establish collaborators responsible for this activity, also defining the follow-up sequence.

  • How to begin 2023 automating your business processes?

    How to begin 2023 automating your business processes?

    Have you considered including process automation in your 2023’s planning to improve workflow performance?

    The beginning of the year is synonymous with planning, right? After all, everything that is stipulated will serve as a basis for creating strategies that will guide the way your company operates in the current year.

    In this sense, the strategies’ focus is to find ways to improve the efficiency and productivity of the organization as a whole.

    In fact, businesses tend to seek alternatives capable of improving internal processes, positively impacting profitability and profitability.

    Many of these means of improving management and activities are found in technology. More specifically, in process automation.

    What is process automation?

    Process automation, in short, is using technology to enhance the performance of business processes.

    That means finding tools and solutions to improve the way everyday activities are carried out.

    Thus, process automation is capable of optimizing time management, leaving repetitive activities, with bottlenecks or high error rates, to software.

    This way, the focus of professionals is on strategic activities, with their efforts directed at your core business.

    What are the benefits brought by process automation?

    While one of the most recognizable benefits of process automation is cost reduction, the biggest impact is on how the workforce actually produces.

    Undoubtedly, adopting a technological solution will produce several changes in the way activities are carried out.

    In this sense, process automation provides benefits such as:

    • Productivity: tasks that were previously performed in a laborious and costly manner, are performed with agility and objectivity with the use of technology. It is possible to perform a much larger number of activities in less time.
    • Standardization: in process automation, activities are mapped, described, and delimited. In this way, the customer is sure to always receive the same quality of product or service.
    • Reduction or elimination of errors: due to standardization in the use of technology for the execution of processes, the error rate is small, or even zero.
    • Focus on strategies: by gaining agility in the execution of procedures, professionals can dedicate themselves primarily to business strategies. By doing so, new business opportunities, differentials, innovations, and alternatives to improve customer experience are found.
    • Ensuring accessibility to data and information: process automation provides better document management. If, before, it was necessary to search several files in the file, with the BPMS, everything is stored and accessible via the platform. In this way, a simple search is enough, typing the desired in the specific field to find a certain document.

    In addition to these points, professionals undergo a process of positive transformation of their activities.

    After all, the time spent searching for information is significantly reduced with the automation of processes, making it possible to reallocate this resource to strategic issues that define the company’s DNA.

    In this way, professionals feel more valued and motivated.

    Beginning 2023 with process automation

    Process automation provides so many perks that it’s hard not to imagine what this application would be like within your business.

    Therefore, to start 2023 with process automation, it will be necessary to carry out a plan.

    Before starting the automation of industrial processes, automation of administrative, financial, inventory processes, and many others, it will be necessary to outline what are the objectives that you want to achieve.

    This step is essential to get to know what the technology will need to provide to satisfy the demands of your business.

    After all, only with well-defined goals and objectives will it be possible, after implementation, to assess whether the expected benefits are consistent with what was achieved.

    In this sense, keep in mind that planning will take into account complete phases that will range from analyzing which activities to automate, to measuring results and improvement.

    Thus, there is a kind of step by step to succeed in automating processes:

    Step 1: Analyze and identify the processes

    While undeniably advantageous, not all processes can or should be automated. Therefore, before starting to automate processes, it will be necessary to analyze the tasks and sectors of the company.

    In this way, start by listing the processes that are more time-consuming, bureaucratic, costly, or that have more bottlenecks. Generally, these critical points are solved by automating processes.

    In addition to the complexity and flow of activities, it will be necessary to describe the interconnections that can happen with other departments.

    For example, imagine travel request process. With automation, an employee simply accesses the platform, fills in the requested information, and sends it to the next responsible person.

    In this flow, this request will pass – depending on each company’s configuration, by a manager, a purchasing department, and finances, among others.

    Instead of exchanging emails, the entire flow is carried out by a platform. And, all those involved have access to the information and progress of the request.

    Step 2: Choose the right tool

    Knowing what your goals and needs are for your company, you can choose the best tool.

    When we talk about process automation, choosing the right software is essential for the success of this implementation.

    After all, this platform needs to be a partner of your business, providing easy access to data and information and simplifying processes.

    Therefore, the more user-friendly and customizable this tool is, the better. In this sense, low-code platforms are the best alternative to gain benefits without overloading the technology department.

    As all changes cause a certain level of resistance, when considering your vendor, look for ones where you can try out features for free.

    And, to speed up this choice, make a comparison between platforms using an evaluation checklist.

    Set aside a good amount of time to make your choice carefully. Not always, opting for the first offer, or the lowest price will bring the expected results.

    That is, the automation of processes needs to be seen as a way to improve the performance of the entire organization. Therefore, choose carefully and accurately.

    It will be with the help of the platform’s consultants that activities can be remodeled to improve execution.

    And now, am I ready for process automation?

    Having chosen the ideal tool, it’s time to monitor its implementation. Very important when talking about the adoption of a tool for process automation is remodeling and deployment.

    In this sense, it’s important that this step be carried out in partnership with the professionals directly linked to the execution of this process. How they will use the tool, they are the ones who need to approve and see the advantages of adoption.

    Another issue is to create an environment that multiplies knowledge so that a professional passes on what he knows to others. This transparency also favors the implementation of necessary adjustments.

    In fact, the continuous analysis of the results obtained with the automation of processes is essential. After all, this is an application that never ends.

    There are constantly new processes or activities to improve performance.

    As processes change over time, laws, and the accession of new resources, among others, adopt continuous improvement making it possible to maximize the benefits provided by automating processes.

    Therefore, use the reports provided by the platforms to check whether the indicators match the stipulated goals and objectives.

    In addition, these reports are essential for a more assertive decision-making process.

    And now, are you ready to implement process automation and take advantage of all the advantages within your business?

  • Marketing Intelligence: Trends to take advantage of in 2023

    Marketing Intelligence: Trends to take advantage of in 2023

    Knowledge is a vital resource within companies. And because of this, Marketing Intelligence became a source of several competitive advantages. It is even considered by many specialists to be the single most valuable commodity organizations can have.

    The more technology develops, the greater and more varied data-collecting alternatives become. In fact, countless terabytes are produced daily which are not always taken into account.

    However, data by itself could be a more useful resource. It is necessary to analyze and understand to be able to create practical applications.

    In this sense, Marketing Intelligence is a strategy that collects data and information to be analyzed later, allowing managers to make decisions with higher success rates.

    Marketing Intelligence is the link between theory and practice, to put it shortly. Thus, there is analysis and preparation of an action plan with the definition of strategies to achieve the most varied objectives.

    In this way, the digital transformation provided extracting knowledge with the collection and analysis of data. And, it is an essential resource for organizations to expand in the market.

    With that in mind, find out the Marketing Intelligence trends to keep an eye on in 2023

    Hyperautomation in Marketing Intelligence

    Let’s start with a trend that started to be highlighted in previous years, and continues strong for 2023.

    Hyperautomation favors Marketing Intelligence by automatically collecting data. In this way, automation should be considered broadly and employed in different types of business processes.

    In fact, hyperautomation should be understood as a fundamental tool for data management. After all, it combines artificial intelligence, machine learning, and process automation.

    Thus, industrial activities become even more agile, allowing managers to identify bottlenecks and adjust them to increase process performance, making them more assertive, and reducing costs and expenses.

    In addition, these technological resources enable the creation of customized and automated panels to capture relevant data about your business objectives.

    Decision Intelligence

    Decision Intelligence is another trend to watch out for in 2023. In fact, it is capable of changing the way people make their decisions, regardless of the function they perform.

    Basically, this method applies artificial intelligence in the decision-making process of all areas of a company.

    By doing so, it brings together a set of tools that aims to design, model, align, execute, monitor, and adjust decision processes. In addition, the focus is always on results and meeting commercial objectives.

    In this sense, Decision Intelligence expands the information processing capacity required by strategic decision-making. And, as in hyperautomation, it also features a combination of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

    In addition to improving business performance, this tool allows you to optimize departments.

    Gartner warns that 33% of large organizations will be using Decision Intelligence for decision making by 2023. However, it is worth mentioning that Decision Intelligence is transformative for strategies in companies of the most diverse sizes.

    Big Data Analytics

    It is not new that Big Data tools are important for organizations. And it continues to be a trend for 2023 as it provides better strategic decisions, better operational process control, breadth of knowledge about customers, and cost reduction.

    Just like Marketing Intelligence, Big Data Analytics enables an analytical culture where decisions are made based on real and pertinent data and information.

    In fact, this is a tool where the more data generated, the greater the opportunities to understand and take advantage of the consumer public dynamics.

    Big Data Analytics allows companies to anticipate changes that will occur in the market in which they operate.

    This is especially true when considering a Data-Driven culture, where management is data-oriented. This means management is guided based on analyzed and concrete information obtained by monitoring the market in real-time.

    Decentralized data management

    In fact, the world will become increasingly globalized. Companies are present in several locations, even more so with the increase in home office activities.

    This is why decentralized data management is another great Marketing Intelligence trend for 2023. If, previously, all data was stored and maintained by the IT department – a very costly information gathering process -, today, we have data decentralization.

    Access to data and information becomes much easier and widely available, favoring all sectors and departments.

    In this way, demands are answered more quickly, providing each process with essential information and data for its particularities.

    In addition, digital transformation allows companies to adopt low code tools, which can be customized according to each business’ requirements.

    This ensures autonomy and flexibility for professionals to analyze data according to the specific objectives of each department, considering the business’ strategic objectives.

    Data governance

    This Marketing Intelligence topic relates to the people, processes, and technologies used in data acquisition, archiving, and usage.

    With the legal requirements arising from Data Protection regulations such as the LGPD, data governance is not just a trend, but a requirement. The use of data must follow a series of enforced rules so that your business is not penalized.

    Because of that, data governance refers to the implementation of rules and structures to manage, monitor, and protect information, providing greater control and organization over business strategies.

    Among the main advantages of data governance are reliability, risk management, organization of information, and better decision-making.

    Real-Time Analytics

    As everything changes very quickly, Real-Time Analytics is undoubtedly a strong trend in Marketing Intelligence, and not only in 2023 but for years to come.

    In fact, the growing and rapid changes brought about by technology, and especially by social networks, have made analytics not only a way to take advantage of opportunities, but also a resource for developing preventive measures.

    In this sense, the use of customized dashboards provides much more agile and assertive response actions.

    Undoubtedly, digital transformation has brought with it this high speed of access to the necessary data and information.

    Currently, it is basically unthinkable – and frustrating -, to have to wait more than an hour to get an answer to a question, for instance.

    Other technology trends

    Undoubtedly, technology as a resource is present everywhere in our daily lives. Therefore, we will be making increasingly more use of the internet of things, virtual and augmented reality, blockchain and 5G, among other resources.

    Likewise, there will be more focus on immersive customer experiences with the use of the metaverse, tokens, NFTs, and dCommerce.

    Another issue pointed out by Gartner is sustainable technology. This trend uses traceability, analytics, management software, and artificial intelligence to monitor a company’s sustainability.

    Here at Neomind, we are always attentive to trends and Marketing intelligence to better serve our customers. What about your business, is it ready for the future?

    Here at Neomind, we walk along your business as true partners. So, if you have any questions or would like to contribute with previous experiences, let us know in the comments!

  • IT governance: what is it, and what are its best practices

    IT governance: what is it, and what are its best practices

    IT governance: what is it and what are its best practices

    IT governance is a necessary tool to ensure that investments in technology are well aligned to the company’s goals. It seeks and uses technological resources to achieve goals in the most appropriate and efficient way.

    With this set of IT resources management practices, the business is able to control and measure the results of deployed applications.

    By the way, when well implemented, IT governance brings countless benefits such as improved processes, enhanced cybersecurity, cost and risk reduction, among others.

    Given its importance, it is essential that companies and their managers understand what it is and what are its best practices.

    What is IT governance?

    IT governance comprises standards and practices used specifically by the technology department. Iit aligns all IT resources, such as hardware, software, and professionals, to the overall business strategies.

    Besides producing measurable indicators to achieve goals and objectives, IT governance aims to improve competitiveness by enhancing processes and stored information quality.

    Currently, the technology department is one of the pillars for the success of organizations. After all, there is a plethora of technological tools that improvement operations and results measurement.

    Therefore, IT governance is indispensable for the management, control, and quality of processes, products, and services.

    As the focus of IT governance is to deliver value while mitigating risks, its performance is guided by the following areas:

    • Strategic Alignment: aims to create harmony between IT and business strategies;
    • Value Delivery: proper use of technology investments – deliver maximum value with an acceptable amount of risk. Where the money will be invested, and what the expected return is need to be clear;
    • Risk management: identifies, assesses, and communicates risks to the entire company.  It is essential to ensure business continuity, especially compliance with legal requirements;
    • Definition and management of the IT department resources: including people and infrastructure;
    • Performance measurement and continuous improvement: frequent evaluation allows strategies to be carried out, ensuring that their execution is happening as planned.

    Why is IT governance important?

    Its importance comes from the fact that one of its main objectives is to improve IT management. We know that technology is currently paramount for a company to achieve its goals and be efficient in the short, medium, and long term.

    Thus, corporate governance in IT increases a company’s value and reputation, allowing:

    • increased information security;
    • compliance with legal obligations, mainly related to the Data Protection laws;
    • resource optimization;
    • improved internal communication;
    • reduction of risks and processes errors and failures;
    • facilitating and increasing the return on investments in technology;
    • greater confidence to customers and stakeholders;
    • delivery of value to investors;
    • monitoring IT capacity decisions;
    • company’s performance indicators management.

    Framework for implementing corporate IT governance

    Frameworks serve as guidelines for companies to build upon when creating an IT governance system.

    In this sense, there is a plethora of frameworks that provide great guidance. More than one framework can be implemented, depending on its objectives. The most common frameworks include:

    ITIL

    The IT infrastructure library framework is regarded as the standard of all frameworks.  It helps you to visualize the entire expected lifecycle as well as the effectiveness of IT governance.

    It aims to ensure that IT services provide the necessary support to business processes. It also comprises the set of best management practices for service strategy, design, change management, operation, and continuous improvement.

    ISO 20000 Structure

    It provides guidance on IT best practices and methods, and measures the level of ITIL implementation.

    COBIT

    The control objectives framework for related information technology enables the creation of  IT governance controls.

    Thus, it helps to develop strategic directions based on the company’s technology control strengths.

    COSO

    It allows the analysis of the company’s internal controls, evaluating business-related aspects. That is, risk management and fraud investigation, for example.

    FAIR 

    It is the information risk factor analysis that identifies and quantifies the risks that the IT department may face. It aims at cybersecurity and operational risk.

    Balanced Scorecard 

    A framework that evaluated various elements, including internal processes, finances, innovation, learning aspects, and customers.

    Thus, it enables you to develop metrics for each element and helps to track relevant information about them.

    CMII

    It refers to a model that measures capability maturity, i.e. performance improvement.

    It uses a scale to measure the performance, quality, and profitability maturity level of a organization, measuring risks of a qualitative nature.

    Positive impacts of IT governance

    In a very practical way, when IT governance is focused on optimization and efficiency, the gains are many. We can highlight the following ones:

    Process Automation

    Corporate governance in IT aims to use resources and assets more intelligently and correctly. In other words, it implement best practices to task execution.

    Therefore, the detailed process analysis makes it possible to redesign the flow of activities so that those repetitive or with a high failure rate can be automated.

    Considering especially the tasks that are not directly linked to the organization’s core business and strategies.

    In this sense, this view of the processes allows the identification of opportunities where automation will provide efficiency and productivity gains.

    Process automation and standardization add value to internal processes and consumers, who receive the best possible products or services.

    Cost reduction

    As IT governance manages resources and investments, there is an incessant search for alternatives that bring better returns to the company’s demands.

    Therefore, investing in tools to improve productivity, such as BPMS, is an investment with very high return and gains.

    Including, updated platforms provide better results and assist in continuous improvement with reports and indicator templates for real-time monitoring.

    Information Security

    This is one of the IT governance’s pillars, which needs to be managed in all types of businesses. Data is an invaluable resource for companies.

    However, it is necessary to have total control and security to obtain, store and manage it according to the laws in force.

    In this sense, IT governance aims to diminish the risks of attacks or failures. It also provides a holistic view of how data is structured, stored, used, and accessed.

    Increase in competitiveness

    Investing in technology to support the business strategies and goals, it ensures that results are achieved in a faster and more efficient way.

    Thus, technology is great to reduce costs without compromising quality. Another issue is the high adaptability and use of opportunities and new demands that may arise.

    By mapping challenges, risks, and opportunities, IT governance also provides more strategic solutions that evolve the business as a whole.

    The only question is how to choose the ideal tools capable of providing a more accurate and precise IT governance to your business.

    Without a doubt, customizable tools are easier to be tailored to your needs and goals. To improve IT governance in your company, try Fusion Platform for 15 days and evaluate how the process, document and indicator management can bring benefits not only to the technology area, but to your entire organization.

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