Automation and outsourcing often get considered to be two opposing options for increasing productivity in your business. One is human-based, the other technology. However, there’s no need to choose: in the modern world, it is natural and beneficial to bring outsourcing and automation together, creating even more productivity for your business. Offshore labor is still less expensive and helps bring in the best expertise, and employing automation measures only needs to enhance that work. Why outsource? The benefits of outsourcing for any business are numerous, and they aren’t going anywhere. Some of the main advantages are:
  • Cheaper labor costs: Foreign labor laws are different depending on what country you approach. Lower costs of living mean lower wages, meaning less of a financial burden for the company for the same level of expert work.
  • A variety of outsourceable procedures: It isn’t just tech work or IT troubleshooting; it is becoming increasingly common to outsource administrative tasks, customer service, and data management, freeing your on-site staff to focus on relevant tasks.
  • Easy risk management: Of course, outsourcing loses some quality control ability. However, this is easily combatted by carefully choosing which country you outsource to based on reputation, labor laws, and other factors – don’t just go for the cheapest, but look for the best.
  • Expertise: In many countries in Eastern Europe or elsewhere, the number of qualified experts in a field is extremely high. These countries know that big business hubs want to outsource their tasks, so students get specially trained to have the skills necessary to attract these companies.
What is intelligent automation? Also known as robotic process automation (RPA), these advanced automated processes work in a way similar to cognitive processes. This kind of software is highly accurate and allows operations to repeat without flaws. You also don’t have to pay machines after the original significant cost, and the profit will eventually make up for it – return on investment is reportedly around 800% for some companies! Many express concerns about cognitive automation techniques, potentially replacing a workforce. Findings show, however, that staff tends to be repurposed rather than let go when companies employ this technology. Human roles will always exist to help keep your business running smoothly; the task is to find what can be automated, what cannot, and help them to work in harmony. Marrying cognitive automation and outsourcing Using one method or the other will save your company money, but if you can combine them, the profit margin will be huge. As technology develops and increasingly automates tasks, so too will the workforce in common outsourcing countries develop with it. People will get training in more and more specialized roles, and technology will. As a result, complement rather than replace your outsourced workforce. The cost of the newest technology is always high, so saving costs on overseas labor is an excellent way to offset this expense. Make your investments early, find the best human workers, and using both together will produce the best profit and return for your business.