What Are Business Efficiency Systems?
Business Efficiency Systems are systems that achieve business efficiency by replacing repetitive, detailed tasks that we must perform.
Business Efficiency Systems were once expensive because they had to be developed for every single task due to the subtle differences in each task, but with the advent of robotics such as AI and RPA and cloud services such as SaaS, convenience has improved and introduction costs have decreased.
With the recent revision of laws related to work style reforms, efforts to improve efficiency and productivity in normal operations are attracting attention in a variety of industries and business sectors. In response to the trend toward work style reform, the demand for the introduction of such systems is also increasing.
Types of Business Efficiency Systems
There are the following types of systems and software that can improve the efficiency of various routine tasks.
1. Electronic Forms
Electronic forms are business documents such as contracts, invoices, and delivery slips that are stored as electronic data. Unlike paper forms, which are complicated to store and manage, electronic forms are easily searchable in a database, saving storage space and reducing research and verification costs.
2. OCR
OCR is a technology that scans paper text and converts it into digital character codes that can be used by computers. Although electronic forms need to be digital from the beginning, in reality, much of the past history is probably on paper. This is a technology to digitize such documents.
3. ERP Package
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a concept that integrates and operates departmental systems such as accounting, human resources, production, logistics, and sales, which are central activities of a company but have been managed separately. ERP packages are generalized versions of ERP systems that used to be highly customizable.
4. RFID System
RFID is an abbreviation for Radio Frequency IDentification, an ID system using radio waves or electromagnetic waves as a medium. It is a kind of wireless communication system that communicates between RF tags attached to items to be transported or people to be moved, and reader/writers installed at the base to perform necessary exchanges. It is applied to sorting products, etc., and has become a key technology for unmanned factories.
5. Configurator
This is a system that calculates quotations based on product configurations and specifications. Especially in the manufacturing and housing industries, it is often necessary to meet the detailed specification requirements of customers, and in the past, quotations took a long time. However, the configurator has evolved to the point where sales representatives can respond to estimates and delivery dates on the spot.
6. Communication Tools
With the promotion of remote working, communication tools within and between companies are becoming very important to improve business efficiency. Typical examples include in-house SNS, business chat, and web conferencing tools and systems.
7. RPA
RPA stands for Robotics Process Automation, and is a system that can automate operations and tasks (data collection, back-office operations, etc.) that are usually performed using PCs and other devices. It is not like machine learning or artificial intelligence, but can quickly process simple tasks that do not involve judgment, and can significantly reduce work time in operations that handle huge amounts of data.
8. Paperless System
This is a tool that enables tasks that could only be performed on paper, such as signing and sealing, to be performed in the cloud. This system has been attracting attention recently due to the revision of laws concerning document storage. Most of the documents that are subject to the paperless system are important documents in any industry, such as year-end adjustment documents, budget applications, contracts, invoices, etc. The introduction of this system will enable speedy processing.