We started, helping clients with the immediate need which was connectivity. Our clients needed technologies that would allow them to continue having access to files in the office and also provide a means to keep their teams connected. To accomplish this, we utilized the Microsoft Teams program and the Office 365 ecosystem, since most of our clients were already using aspects of this program. For those that did not have the Office 365 suite, we assisted them with acquiring the license, configuring the software, and training users on how to navigate Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Power Automate, in some instances.
CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED
With the implementation of these technologies, we noticed that some clients were having issues organizing their processes. Working remotely meant that the paper flow system, which they had grown accustomed to, was no longer sustainable, manageable, or useful. Working in a paperless environment was a new challenge.
Thus, we began to explore the option of a digital process flow to deal with the challenge they were experiencing.
Pre COVID-19 some customers were not too concerned with implementing digital solutions, because their current processes were strictly paper-based and they were comfortable with their systems. They did not see the need to disrupt that system.
But the COVID-19 pandemic shifted how staff worked. Employees were scattered in different geographical areas. Some were in their homes, while a small number were working in the office. This hybrid environment made it difficult for employees to keep their processes in check, and to function effectively. That was a major hurdle that we had to help our clients overcome.
For some clients, we were able to utilize different aspects of the Office 365 environment such as SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and Power Automate to help navigate into a fully digital space. While that worked well for some clients, others needed to have a more robust program that would handle more complex tasks.
THE SOLUTIONS RECOMMENDED- CREATING A DIGITAL PROCESS FLOW
Our solution for these clients was to design custom applications using Power Apps. Power Apps is a low code environment. Our developer examined and mapped out the present processes and designed applications in Power Apps for these users. One of the major benefits of using Power Apps is that a mobile version of the app is simultaneously created. This worked well for clients who had employees working from home. Especially for those who were mobile, moving from location to location while completing transactions.
Benchmarking the digital process versus the paper-based process highlighted the stark difference in turn-around-time. Previously, processes would take three days in the office, now they took under thirty minutes to complete the entire process, with the new app designed.
This was a multi-step process with documentation. We were able to design an app that took that documentation through four departments, several verification processes, approval processes and then completion. These were all done digitally. Employees could now function securely with no geo-location limitations. Once they had access to the internet, they were able to perform their tasks.
THE E-FLOW BPM SYSTEM BY NETOLOJI
We soon recognized that some clients had more complex scenarios to overcome. They either had no ecosystem or an ecosystem where they had multiple systems in silos, but they needed to create a holistic system. We explored several options. We looked at Dynamics 365 and the other applications that they had implemented to see which one fit best. But in the end, what we proposed to the client was E-Flow our new partnership that we have with Netoloji.
Netoloji offers a beautiful no code system called E-Flow, that allows us to develop applications more rapidly than we would have normally developed, even with Power Apps. It allows us to develop applications at a rapid pace that would run in the environment and handle their business process flows. This application can be set up to run on premise or in the cloud. There is also a mobile version, just like in Power Apps, which would allow for flexibility with mobile users.
THE EASE OF E-FLOW
As we started to design these process flows utilizing E-Flow, it quickly became our platform of choice. With the other programs we would have to take a business process, evaluate it, map that process, conduct process verification and re-engineering, then finally send that process to the developers to get development completed. That can run us anywhere between one to three months, sometimes if it’s more complex, it may take six months.
With E-Flow, it allowed us to cut down on that time. We were able to go from understanding the business case to doing a process flow in E-Flow. That process flow that we did in E-Flow would now become the proof of concept (Gate Review), where we demonstrate to the client how the new process will flow. Once we click on “activate”, we can show the client a live example of the entire process. This was amazing for clients and it helped expedite the development process.
Now clients can have a live application running at a gate review. This function was impossible with previous applications. Gate reviews were used to show the clients, aspects of the application that we could run, but never the entire process. Now, we can have a full-fledged solution running, and the client can see all the steps.
With E-Flow, we were able to rapidly develop digital business processes for clients which propelled the client through the digital transformation journey.
Clients can now implement their business processes digitally without much administrative effort, without administrative overheads, and be cost-effective.
OUR LOCAL EXAMPLE- AN EXPORT COMPANY
Within a short space of time, we designed a process for an export company. We had an initial meeting with the client (the discovery phase), and the very next day, we started to build out that process flow in E-Flow. In under two days, we were able to tell the client, “We have a solution for you. We want to do a gate review.” At the gate review, we showed the client an actual, functioning application. The client did not know that as yet, but when they saw it, they were blown away.
For us at 800-Tech, E-Flow is the go-to environment, it is a no-code software that can help your company build out digital solutions a lot faster than you are accustomed to. Upon installation of the E-Flow platform, a representative identified by our client shall receive tier 1 level support training. Tier 1 level support training includes but not limited to:
- Edits to data fields
- Modifications to process flow
- Review of processes
Thus, if you want to change your process, you don’t need to call any developer to make those changes. Whoever is trained and utilizing E-Flow can simply make edits by using the drag and drop features within the program. It is very simple.
Once you can design a flow chart you can utilize E-Flow.
E-Flow has proven to be the best tool for us to provide quick and effective solutions to our clients. We have clients in the financial sector, in export, and manufacturing, and we are building out digital solutions for them all utilizing E-Flow. We will be sharing some examples of clients that we have worked with to show you just how E-Flow has been implemented within their organizations. You can also take a look at a webinar we conducted on how E-Flow works: E-Flow system – 15 minutes to create a Digital Business Process
Another important feature of E-Flow is that it can connect to most legacy systems. A legacy system is a system you have had for years. We can connect those systems or databases, which allows for information to be accessed and utilized within your core applications. If it is a cloud-based application or cloud solution, we can also connect. We can also use API’s to your website to feed information from your website, straight into an internal process flow.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE DEMOS
Presently, we are working on a complex Loan Management Process which includes multi-step processing and approvals. On completion, we will provide a demonstration. It can be a very complex process with a lot of calculations, however, with E-Flow, it takes just one week to develop from start to finish. With this client, it took approximately three to five days to run a process, from process initiation to process closure. We aim to have the same process completed in a few hours using E-Flow to show the efficiency of the solution.
If you want to explore E-Flow or if you want us to design a process for you in E-Flow, contact us at 800-Tech, 800-8324, or info@800-tech.com.
We will provide proof of concept, utilizing, E-Flow. By demonstrating how fast it can be built out. Once approved, we install the E-Flow platform in your environment, and you will have digital transformation at your fingertips.
