The Case for Process Automation Before AI: Building a Solid Foundation for Intelligent Transformation

The allure of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is undeniable. Businesses envision AI revolutionizing operations, from hyper-personalized customer service to data-driven decision-making. However, successfully implementing AI solutions often hinges on a less glamorous, yet essential foundation: Adaptive Process Automation (APA).

Why APA Comes First

Data Quality and Organization: AI algorithms thrive on high-quality, well-structured data. APA platforms excel at capturing, organizing, and standardizing data from processes across the organization. This paves the way for reliable AI insights and eliminates the “garbage in, garbage out” problem.

Process Maturity: AI is best suited for augmenting and optimizing already well-defined processes. APA tools enable organizations to analyze existing workflows, identify inefficiencies, and streamline them before applying AI. This maximizes the impact of AI investments.

Change Management: Process automation involves rethinking workflows and often requires organizational change. APA introduces these changes incrementally, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and laying the groundwork for embracing more complex AI-driven transformations down the line.

What is Adaptive Process Automation?

APA goes beyond traditional Business Process Management (BPM) solutions. Key features include:

Low-Code/No-Code Design: Empowers business users to directly design and modify workflows using visual, drag-and-drop interfaces, reducing reliance on IT specialists.
Advanced Analytics: Real-time process monitoring, identifying bottlenecks, and flagging potential compliance risks, allowing for quick adjustments.
Integration Capabilities: The ability to seamlessly connect with various enterprise systems and data sources, ensuring data consistency and eliminating silos.
Process Discovery and Mining: APA uses process mining tools to analyze system logs and automatically map complex, as-is processes. This provides invaluable insights for optimization.
Use Cases for APA

APA delivers significant benefits across various use cases, even without AI:

Customer Onboarding: Automating form completion, data validation, and compliance checks for faster onboarding and improved customer experience.
Procurement and Invoice Processing: Streamlining purchase orders, invoice matching, and approval, reducing manual errors and saving time.
Compliance Management: Automating documentation, reporting, and audit trails to ensure adherence to industry regulations.
Employee onboarding and offboarding: Managing HR processes related to new hires and employee departures, ensuring smooth transitions and data security.
The Path to AI-Augmented Automation

Starting with APA doesn’t mean giving up on AI. Instead, it creates a robust foundation for future AI adoption:

Optimized Processes: Clean, well-defined processes become perfect candidates for AI-driven decision-making and predictive analytics.
Process Data: APA solutions capture vast amounts of process-related data, which is critical for training and refining AI models.
Hybrid Automation: APA and AI can work in tandem, with APA handling routine tasks and AI offering insights and automation for complex decisions.
In Conclusion:

While AI promises transformational potential, a rushed implementation without a focus on process automation can lead to disappointing results. By embracing Adaptive Process Automation platforms, organizations enhance efficiency, gain valuable insights, and unlock their full potential for intelligent automation powered by AI.

Conquering Chaos: How docEdge DMS Transforms Physical Document Management to Digital Nirvana

In today’s data-driven world, organisation’s grapple with mountains of physical documents. These paper trails create chaos, hinder productivity, and pose security risks. Here’s where docEdge DMS, a premier Document Management System (DMS) by Pericent, steps in.

From Paper Piles to Digital Powerhouse: The docEdge Advantage

docEdge isn’t just about scanning documents. It’s a comprehensive suite that empowers businesses to:

Centralize the Source of Truth: Say goodbye to scattered files. docEdge creates a secure, central repository for all your documents, accessible from anywhere, anytime.
Effortless Document Capture: Scan paper documents or import electronic files with ease. Multi-channel capture allows seamless integration with existing workflows.
Unleash the Power of Search: Finding the right document used to be a scavenger hunt. docEdge’s robust search functionality, combined with metadata management, lets you unearth information in seconds.
Fort Knox Security: Relax, knowing your data is safe. docEdge offers multi-level permissioning, ensuring only authorized users can access documents.
Streamlined Collaboration: Share documents securely within teams or with external partners. Version control ensures everyone works on the latest iteration.
Goodbye, Paper Jams, Hello Efficiency: Automate manual tasks like document routing and approval processes with configurable workflows.
Embrace Mobility: The world is your office with docEdge’s mobile app. Access, edit, and share documents on the go, from any device.
Beyond the Basics: Unveiling docEdge’s Hidden Gems

docEdge boasts a treasure trove of features that elevate document management to a whole new level:

Built-in Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Transform scanned PDFs into searchable documents, unlocking valuable information trapped within images.
Digital Signature Capability: Ensure the authenticity and integrity of critical documents with electronic signatures.
Effortless Integration: Connect docEdge seamlessly with existing business applications, eliminating data silos and streamlining processes.
Version Control: Never lose track of changes. docEdge tracks all document versions, allowing you to revert to previous iterations if needed.
Unstructured Content Management: Manage more than just traditional documents. docEdge handles emails, images, and other unstructured content with ease.
Security and Reliability: The Bedrock of docEdge

Built on a proven J2EE technology infrastructure, docEdge offers enterprise-grade security and reliability. Rest assured, your documents are in safe hands.

Conclusion: The docEdge Difference

docEdge DMS isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a customizable platform that adapts to your organization’s unique needs. With its robust features, intuitive interface, and unwavering security, docEdge empowers businesses to:

Enhance security and compliance.
Boost productivity and collaboration.
Reduce costs associated with physical document storage.
Make data-driven decisions with greater ease.
Ready to ditch the paper chase and embrace the digital era? Contact Pericent today and discover how docEdge DMS can transform your document management landscape.

The Power of Document Management System

In the heart of Detroit, the Titan Forge rumbled with activity. For years, Titan Forge had been a pillar of American manufacturing, churning out top-of-the-line engines. But lately, cracks began to show in their system. Inventory misplacement, misplaced schematics, and outdated production manuals were causing delays and inefficiencies. Frustration mounted as engineers wasted time searching for critical documents and assemblers worked with potentially incorrect information.

One particularly chaotic morning, Henry, a senior engineer, stormed into Sarah, the production manager’s, office, fuming about a missing gear specification sheet. “Production’s at a standstill!” he bellowed. Sarah, already at her wit’s end, knew something had to change. “We can’t keep running like this,” she sighed.

That afternoon, Sarah presented a solution to the management team: a Document Management System (DMS). Initially, some were skeptical. “New software? We barely have time to keep up with production demands,” grumbled Tony, the gruff but well-respected foreman. Sarah assured them a DMS would save them time, not cost them time.

Within weeks, Titan Forge was transformed. Drawings, schematics, and quality control documents were all scanned and uploaded to the central DMS. Everyone from engineers to assembly line workers had access to the latest information through a user-friendly interface. Gone were the days of hunting through file cabinets. Version control ensured everyone was working with the most up-to-date documents.

The impact was immediate. Production bottlenecks vanished as the right parts were readily available. Assembly times decreased as workers referenced the latest manuals on tablets. Engineering change orders were streamlined with clear audit trails. Titan Forge even began adhering to stricter environmental regulations with ease, thanks to the DMS’s document storage capabilities.

Morale soared as employees no longer wasted time searching for lost documents. Sarah beamed, “The DMS wasn’t just about efficiency; it improved communication and collaboration across all departments.” Even Tony admitted, “This new system is like a well-oiled machine itself.” Titan Forge, once teetering on inefficiency, became a model of streamlined manufacturing, all thanks to the power of a Document Management System.

Document Management System (DMS) Simplifies Compliance Across Various Areas

Specific Compliance Areas

Financial Regulations:
Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX): DMS aids in accurate financial reporting, secure storage, and audit trails of financial documents.

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA): Facilitates record retention rules, communication surveillance, and secure archiving of financial communications.
Healthcare:

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): Safeguards protected health information (PHI) with access controls, encryption, audit logs, and data breach prevention measures.
Data Privacy:

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): Manages data subject rights (access, rectification, erasure), tracks processing activities, and enforces data protection policies.
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): Similar to GDPR, focusing on consumer data rights and transparency.
Industry-Specific Regulations:

Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Adheres to quality control documentation, electronic signatures (21 CFR Part 11), and records management in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

ISO Standards (e.g., ISO 9001): Maintains quality management system documents, supports controlled document procedures, and streamlines document revision processes.
Key DMS features that streamline compliance

Centralized Storage: Organizes all documents related to compliance in a structured repository, preventing loss or misplacement.

Version Control and Audit Trails: Tracks every change made to documents, providing a clear view of document history, who made changes, and when. This is crucial for demonstrating accountability and for internal audits.
Access Controls and Security: Restricts access to sensitive documents with granular permissions and role-based security. Encrypts data at rest and in transit to mitigate security risks.
Automated Retention and Disposition: Enforces document retention policies according to regulatory requirements. Provides secure and auditable deletion of documents when they reach the end of their lifecycle.
Search and Retrieval: Helps quickly locate relevant documents through powerful search capabilities, speeding up internal audits and compliance reviews.

Workflows and Automation: Creates automated processes (e.g., for approvals, reviews) to ensure adherence to compliance procedures and create a traceable record.
eSignatures: Provides secure, legally-binding digital signatures to simplify contract signing and regulatory approvals while ensuring document integrity.
Important Considerations

Choosing the Right DMS: Select a DMS tailored to the specific regulations your business needs to follow.
Thorough Implementation and Training: Implementing the DMS correctly and training staff on its use is crucial for its effective compliance capabilities.
Regular Review and Updates: Compliance regulations constantly evolve, so it’s important to keep your DMS updated and adapted.
In Summary

A DMS isn’t a magic solution for complete compliance. However, it significantly reduces the complexity of managing compliance requirements, minimizes human errors, streamlines audits, and increases the overall security of your information.