The chief information officer’s (CIO) role in business operations has evolved beyond managing only the information technology aspects of a company. Today, CIOs often spend more time collaborating with other members of the C-suite, looking at ways to improve efficiency and productivity, and this includes the implementation of automation throughout the business.
In fact, CIO Insight noted, “The modern CIO belongs at the fulcrum of all business matters,” lending expertise to various other departments. This ranges from chief financial officers to service desks. In regard to business process automation (BPA), CIOs likely usher in this process in their own departments, so why not utilize interdepartmental collaboration as a way to inject this time- and cost-saving practice throughout the business?
AMMEX understands the value of its CIO for the entire organization, with the role serving a crucial purpose in the company’s high standards for order accuracy and overall supply chain logistics. Through the insights of AMMEX’s CIO, the company was able to achieve the following benefits:
Improved accuracy
Human error is a natural part of any business practice. However, this does not mean human error will not have extensive consequences. One misplaced figure could mean improper accounts of inventory, which then impacts fill rates and accuracy for numerous orders.
“AMMEX’s foray into BPA is another way it remains at the top of the industry.”
At AMMEX, the CIO has a hand in preventing such issues through automated workflows and reporting. Software keeps track of all orders and other movement along the supply chain, ensuring figures are accurate across all places where the data is stored. Additionally, less information falls prey to accidental exclusion, ensuring complete data. All of these advantages lend to cost containment.
More precise monitoring
Automated data collection and analytics are huge parts of modern operations, and business intelligence (BI) overall is crucial for supply chain management. Through BPA and BI as a result of that process, AMMEX has a more granular view into the supply chain from procurement to distribution. As a result, the company is able to better forecast delays and pinpoint the possible sources of these and other issues.
Increased efficiency and productivity
The CIO’s role in ushering in BPA for the purposes of efficiency is not unfounded. Harvey Nash’s 2015 CIO Survey found 61 percent of respondents reported increasing efficiencies was the top concern in 2015. AMMEX’s use of BPA is one way the company keeps this goal top of mind.
Improvements to productivity and efficiency result from enhanced accuracy and monitoring. Fewer errors means decreased redundancy, as workers along the supply chain spend less time backtracking to find errors and fix them. Automated monitoring tools alert AMMEX managers to only the reports they need to see, allowing employees to focus on only the business operations that require improvement.
Leveraging the CIO role to remain competitive
BPA is not the only way the CIO role is influential in other departments at AMMEX. This insight has the power to help the company remain an industry leader in various ways and should not be understated. The Harvey Nash survey found CIOs worry their companies’ inability to leverage technology will cause them to fall behind in the market. However, 75 percent of respondents did not have a plan to roll out digital processes across their organizations.
While the survey put the impetus on CIOs to press for more automation and other digital workflows, AMMEX understands this is a collaborative process that requires the empowerment of the CIO role to usher in positive change. Like AMMEX’s pioneering spirit when it comes to digital marketing, ecommerce and innovative technologies like Doc-link, Vidyo and QR codes, the company’s foray into BPA is another way it remains at the top of the industry.
