Here are some great tools for Business Process Management (BPM):
Kissflow
Kissflow is a tool that helps businesses organize their work. It’s easy to use and doesn’t require any coding. You can create different types of processes and collaborate with others. Kissflow also integrates with other software.
- No-Code Development: Allows automation of process flows without coding.
- Versatility: Supports structured and repeatable processes, as well as various types of work (processes, cases, projects, etc.).
- Collaboration: Enables secure collaboration through intuitive process streams.
- Integration: Integrates seamlessly with other software solutions and productivity apps.
- User-Friendly Dashboards: Provides easy-to-use dashboards for monitoring processes.
- Customization: Offers customizable report templates and advanced workflow and form design.
- Support: Provides instant chat support, detailed documentation, and informative webinars.
ProcessMaker
ProcessMaker tool lets you design and automate business processes. It’s used by big companies and offers different options, including a cloud version. They provide support through videos and emails.
- Versatility: Offers open-source, on-premise, and cloud options.
- Process Design: Uses BPMN 2.0 notations for process design.
- Scalability: Suitable for corporations, governments, and educational organizations.
- Support: Provides support through videos, emails, webinars, and instant chat.
- Price: Approximately $1,000 per month with unlimited users (may vary).
Zoho Creator
Zoho Creator is a simple tool to create apps for mobile and web. It’s user-friendly and doesn’t require much coding. You can get help through emails and phone calls.
- Low-Code Development: Provides a simple low-code platform for app creation.
- Versatility: Allows app creation for mobile, tablet, and web platforms.
- Integration: Integrates with Zoho’s cloud-based suite of products.
- Script Builder: Allows drag-and-drop scripting for customization.
- Support: Offers support through emails, phone calls, training, and ticket escalation.
Nintex
Nintex helps businesses automate their tasks. It works well with other tools like Office 365 and SharePoint. While it used to be mainly for big companies, they now have options for smaller businesses too.
- Integration: Designed to work with tools like Office 365, SharePoint, and Project Server.
- Deployment: Offers both on-premise and cloud options.
- Support: Primarily provided through online forums.
- Pricing: Quotation-based pricing, tailored to specific business needs.
Bizagi
Bizagi offers different products for businesses. They have options for both on-premise and cloud use. The pricing depends on what you need.
- Product Suite: Offers three separate products – Bizagi Modeler, Bizagi Studio, and Bizagi Engine.
- Deployment: Available in on-premise and cloud options.
- Modeling: Based on Bizagi’s version of BPMN, requires prior knowledge and training.
- Pricing: On-premise pricing includes license fees (around $25/user/month), maintenance, and support costs. Cloud pricing varies based on app creation and usage frequency.
Comparison table of the BPM (Business Process Management) tools
Features | Kissflow | ProcessMaker | Zoho Creator | Nintex | Bizagi |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ease of Use | Easy to use, no coding required | User-friendly interface with BPMN 2.0 notations | Simple low-code platform | Intuitive interface with Office 365 integration | Requires prior knowledge, training needed |
Deployment | Cloud-based | Offers open-source, on-premise, and cloud options | Cloud-based | Primarily on-premise, with recent cloud options | On-premise and cloud options available |
Integration | Integrates with other software solutions | Integrates with various tools and systems | Integrates with cloud-based suite of products | Works with Office 365, SharePoint, Project Server | Integrates with other applications |
Support | Instant chat support, detailed documentation | Videos, emails, webinars | Emails, phone calls, training | Online forums | Depends on license, maintenance, and support fees |
Pricing | Three different pricing plans | Around $1,000 per month (unlimited users) | $10 to $15 per user per month | Quotation-based, potentially costly | License fees, maintenance, and support costs |
Step Business Process Management (BPM) Implementation Checklist
If you’re in charge of setting up a new business process management (BPM) system, it’s important to do it right. Rushing into it might cause problems later on. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you implement BPM effectively:
- Choose the Right BPM Platform:
- Select a BPM tool with essential features.
- Opt for a user-friendly tool to avoid complex integration issues.
- Start Small:
- Begin with a simple process to test the BPM system.
- Avoid using it for critical tasks until everyone is comfortable with it.
- Identify a Process Owner:
- Appoint someone responsible for managing the process and data.
- Choose a BPM tool that everyone can easily use.
- Set Clear Goals:
- Define specific objectives for automating the workflow.
- Analyze past data to set realistic goals for the BPM system.
- Diagram the Workflow:
- Draw a diagram of how the process should work.
- Involve people who know the history of the process to avoid mistakes.
- Involve Everyone:
- Engage both technical admins and business owners.
- Gather feedback from end users to understand their needs.
- Pilot the BPM Workflow:
- Test the BPM system in a controlled environment.
- Train staff and explore features without risks.
- Be Ready to Adapt:
- Choose a flexible BPM solution that integrates well with existing systems.
- Avoid tools that demand major changes to your current processes.
- Train Users:
- Conduct workshops to educate staff about the BPM system.
- Ensure everyone understands the purpose and benefits of automation.
- Measure and Improve:
- Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure BPM’s impact.
- Adjust the BPM system if goals are not met, and repeat the process.
Real-world business process examples across various industries:
- Customer Onboarding Process (Service Industry):
- Description: When a new customer signs up for a service, this process involves verifying their information, setting up their account, and guiding them through the service offerings.
- Steps: Registration, verification, account setup, welcome communication, service introduction, feedback collection.
- Inventory Management Process (Retail Industry):
- Description: This process involves tracking and managing the stock levels of products in a retail store, ensuring there are enough products to meet customer demands without overstocking.
- Steps: Stock monitoring, order placement, delivery, quality checks, updating inventory records.
- Order Fulfillment Process (E-commerce Industry):
- Description: When a customer places an online order, this process includes order confirmation, picking products from the warehouse, packing, shipping, and delivery to the customer’s doorstep.
- Steps: Order confirmation, product retrieval, packaging, shipping label creation, delivery scheduling, customer feedback collection.
- Employee Onboarding Process (Human Resources):
- Description: When a new employee joins a company, this process involves paperwork, orientation, training, and providing them with the necessary resources to become productive team members.
- Steps: Paperwork completion, orientation sessions, IT setup, training, introduction to team and company culture.
- Loan Approval Process (Financial Industry):
- Description: When a customer applies for a loan, this process includes application submission, document verification, credit checks, approval decision, and fund disbursal.
- Steps: Application submission, document collection, credit assessment, approval committee review, approval/rejection, fund transfer.
- Patient Appointment Scheduling (Healthcare Industry):
- Description: This process involves scheduling appointments for patients with healthcare providers, ensuring smooth coordination between patients, doctors, and administrative staff.
- Steps: Appointment request, verification of patient details, scheduling based on doctor availability, appointment confirmation, reminders, follow-up.
These examples demonstrate how business processes are essential in various industries, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction.
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