SHERIDAN, WYOMING – October 8, 2024 – A new study by Ricoh Europe reveals that while there is a strong desire among German businesses to implement process automation, concerns about potential disruptions to critical operations are hindering progress.
The study, conducted by Opinion Matters on behalf of Ricoh Europe, surveyed 1,000 employees and 300 decision-makers across Germany. It found that more than a third of employees (34%) lack access to process automation technologies despite expressing a keen interest in utilizing them.
"In a time where employee motivation is waning, process automation technologies can play a key role in giving employees a sense of purpose," says Nicola Downing, CEO of Ricoh Europe. "With process automation software, they have to spend less time on monotonous tasks and can concentrate on more rewarding and creative activities."
Concerns Over Business Continuity
The study highlights that business leaders are hesitant to implement process automation technologies due to concerns about potential disruptions to business continuity. 31% of decision-makers surveyed expressed a need for guidance on how to integrate and extract systems into workflows without causing interruptions.
Impact on Employee Satisfaction
The study also found that process automation can significantly impact employee satisfaction. Almost a quarter of the employees (24%) stated that having technologies that automate manual processes would improve their job quality by freeing up time for more engaging tasks. An additional 23% said that better software technology, including automation solutions, would make them less likely to consider quitting their jobs in the next twelve months.
Addressing the Concerns
Downing acknowledges the concerns of business leaders, stating, "I know firsthand that business leaders are rightly cautious about disrupting business-critical systems, considering the consequences if something doesn't work smoothly." She recommends partnering with a trusted digitization expert to ensure the smooth implementation of technical solutions.
About Ricoh
Ricoh is a leading provider of integrated digital workspace services and printing solutions. With a presence in approximately 200 countries and regions, Ricoh leverages its extensive knowledge, technologies, and expertise to drive workplace digitalization and optimize business processes.