Keeping up with the competition and making consumers satisfied with your digital product in 2021 requires maintaining its program component at the highest level of quality standards. 

One of the ways of achieving this is by frequently revising and improving your code. In this regard, there are two main approaches to keeping the software tight – refactoring and reengineering. 

Today, let’s take a closer look at these two practices, explore their differences and discover the main benefits updating your software has for the business. 

As usually, starting with the definitions first… 

What is software refactoring and reengineering?

Essentially, both refactoring and reengineering aim at rewriting existing computer code to improve the internal design, structure, and/or implementation of the software, while preserving its external functionality.

Refactoring describes changing bits and pieces of software while keeping the core of a program mostly untouched. Meanwhile, reengineering implies making fundamental changes to a program’s structure and design – whether adapting the software to a new hardware platform, changing its programming language, or shifting it to a new dialect. 

Like that, there are three main types of software reengineering practices. Those are: 

• Porting – when a program is adjusted to operate on different hardware.
• Translation – when the code is translated from an old (legacy) language to a new (modern) one.  
• and Migration – when the code is shifted to a new dialect of a language without changing its intrinsic nature. 

In essence, the two practices in question often overlap as all reengineering consists of a series of refactoring initiatives.  

To provide a real-life example for reference, let’s compare it with fixing an old car. One way is to only fix the parts that have worn out, so it represents virtually the same car inside and out, with just some fresh details. That would be refactoring. Or, you can strip the car down and replace its engine, suspension, transmission, etc., or even make it gas-powered. That’s reengineering.  

You choose the best option depending on your setup, resources, and needs. At that, it should be noted that just like with the car, reengineering will often take a lot more time. 

Now that we’ve got it clear about the nature of software redesign, let’s move on to its key advantages from a business perspective. 

Benefits of software refactoring and reengineering

Dealing with the legacy code is perhaps the developers’ second least favorite activity (right after jumping off a bridge). It is also the most common cause of spilling coffee over the keyboard in rage. 

So, why do it in the first place? 

It turns out there are three rather convincing reasons for a  business to consider rewriting their product’s code. Let’s look into each in particular: 

Long-term Profit

The first thing to think about when considering any business initiative is its monetary value. Although rebuilding software implies immediate spendings, the long-term return on investments from updating a digital product will cover it tenfold in the majority of cases. 

Just within the US, various software failures have cost businesses a whopping $1.7T back in 2017 with the figure growing by over 60% in a year. That’s definitely one piece of statistics to consider if your company’s budget is anywhere among the main concerns. 

And even if there are no code-related issues affecting your business directly right now, a proactive approach will definitely save a good buck on resolving those issues in the future. It’s well known that it is a lot easier to prevent sickness than to cure it. So, redesigning a website or an app is definitely a forward-thinking decision to make.     

Product Quality

IT technology does not stand still, and applying new software development methods or polishing the existing code will always have a positive effect on its performance. So, quality is another major point to factor in when considering adjusting or rebuilding a digital product. 

How old is your platform? Perhaps it’s worthwhile to shift the servers to the cloud for better flexibility or to scale up. Maybe it’s time to change a part of your tech stack for newer technology. Or quite possibly, it’s a good idea to rewrite the entire program in a different coding language. 

Whatever it is, properly redesigning your software will improve how it works, looks, and feels, which the end-users will definitely enjoy and value big time.    

Safety and Security

The older a piece of software gets, the more likely it is to suffer troubles operating within a modern environment. From integration and maintenance to update – it surely won’t hurt to keep up with the latest tech trends and ensure that nothing goes wrong when least expected. 

In fact, refactoring bits and pieces of your code may help you to avoid the need of re-engineering the entire product as time passes, which may be a lot more costly and time-consuming. 

Gradually modifying software also reduces the risks of losing valuable business data or stalling the product, so you can update a website or an app without worries in a safe and secure way.  

When to consider product update

Now, all of the above sounds promising and great. But how does one tell if a digital product is in urgent need of an update or revision? 

In this regard, there are a few red flags to consider, too. 

Functionality 

The first and foremost hint suggesting you need to consider refactoring or reengineering comes after answering the following question: 

Does the product you’re using fulfill all of the functions it was designed to and are the users fully satisfied with its functionality?  

If everything is up and running and users are happy, then there is probably no need to bother with software redesign, at least no urgent need. You may still consider the long-term benefits of updating the software, and ask your IT team to scan the product for potential bottlenecks and issues. But bear in mind the “don’t fix what isn’t broken” philosophy and try to focus on the urgent and essential.  

Performance 

Is your app or website working quickly and smoothly enough? 

If so, good news! But if it’s not, you don’t want to waste your users’ time keeping the outdated products around and “beating the old horse”. Invest some of your time and resources into reengineering or refactor the bottlenecks of the software, and you’ll see that you return a lot more once the users notice improvements.   

Bugs

If bugs and errors are popping up quicker than your team is able to fix them, it is definitely a sign to look at the code structure behind your digital product and change it. 

In fact, nothing spoils the user experience and perception of a business bigger than product bugs, so it’s better not to ignore the issue if there are any, even minor ones. 

Platform Change

Last but not least, you may want to consider rebuilding your software when shifting to new hardware or software environments. 

As already mentioned, maybe it’s time to move to the cloud or shift your product to a new coding language altogether. Talk to your IT team and discuss the need to change the basics and potential benefits.  

Final word

All in all, redesigning your app or website is an important topic to look at frequently, with a lot of potential in it. 

Whether refactoring a part of the code or reengineering the entire product, it is worthwhile to think everything through, compare the pros and cons, and evaluate potential issues. If done properly and at the right time, updating your software will definitely be a change for the better for both you and your service consumers.   

Want to learn more about software restructuring? Feel free to contact us and we’ll answer all your questions!

Continuing to discuss evolutionary processes in business, let’s look at a crucial driver of enterprise progress like workflow automation.

In general, it is a set of practices aimed at streamlining routine activities to improve business efficiency. The approach is implemented through various digital solutions and is considered essential across most industries and business domains.

Want to learn more about workflow automation?

Scroll down to get all the answers!

Why automate business processes?

Ever since industrialization, abandoning manual work in favor of streamlined production has helped to boost outputs, cut shift hours, and improve working conditions. Today, we are in the digital era, but automation is even more relevant to businesses of all shapes and forms.

Robotization of business processes aims at essential business goals like increased service quality, wider audience reach, and reduced spendings. And with over 45% of paid activities worldwide suitable for automation, this is a trillion-dollar question. 

I know what you’re thinking, but don’t rush to hire an IT development team just yet! First of all, you must understand the key advantages of business process automation and things it can improve. 

Advantages of business process automation

If you’ve never dealt with workflow automation, it may sound like yet another thing you didn’t want to do in the first place. Or, you may have heard that it’s expensive or troublesome to implement. 

In both cases, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. 

When it comes to complexity, automating business functions is not nearly as cumbersome as executing all of it in the “good old” manual way. Moreso, the average cost of automation systems is nothing compared to the monetary equivalent of the time, effort, and risks associated with abstaining from them. 

Digging deeper into the topic, there are 5 main reasons why you should automate business processes:

Cost reduction

You don’t need expert analysis to see how performing routine tasks quicker and better can positively impact your company’s budget.

Automation can save a fortune in the form of paid working hours and salaries, improved customer relationships, better order processing and inventory management, higher operational transparency, and much more. So, it’s no wonder that businesses spend a whopping $20 billion a year on automation.

Optimization of human resources

Delegating the grunt work to algorithms, you allow your employees to focus on purely human-related issues. We’re talking about direct customer assistance and care, creative business challenges, and the entire range of non-computer-related activities.

In most cases, these tasks also bring the highest value to the company.    

Employee satisfaction

Employee satisfaction is yet another thing automation can improve. Very few of us genuinely enjoy the menial tasks usually taken over by algorithms. At that, alleviating these responsibilities from your workers’ shoulders can boost their work satisfaction and loyalty, which is a key driver of business growth. 

Increased accuracy

Regardless of how brilliant, attentive, and responsible your staff is, we are all just human beings. Even if a team’s workflow is smooth like Swiss clockwork, something will go south now and then. Whether it’s a scheduling mishap, a missed customer’s question, or a misdirected email – you can never predict the human factor. 

On the other hand, machines have no bad days, never distract, and have nowhere to rush on a Friday evening. This makes one a poor buddy, but a perfect assistant to sort through the multitude of daily tasks.   

Better performance

Last but not least, a natural outcome of the four automation benefits mentioned above is better overall business performance.

Carefully tuned processes that empower your workers, bolster back-office operation and ultimately satisfy the clients – inevitably boost business performance. If that’s not your main goal at the moment – you can skip business workflow automation. Otherwise – think twice.

Business Workflow Automation Pitfalls

Naturally, nothing is perfect in the business world, and there are several nuances to workflow automation, just as well. So, if you do decide to streamline your company processes, try to avoid the following traps:

Wrong goals

While it may seem that more automation is always better, it’s important to carefully choose which business functions you improve. Some of your company activities may suffer from excess robotization (see next paragraph) or aren’t worth the investment.

To avoid this, ask yourself the following questions:

What are the most complex processes I can automate? Which of them is most time-consuming? And finally, which of them will have the greatest business impact?

These would be the processes you should automate first.

Dehumanization

Streamlining all of the processes can dehumanize your services, which is not nearly the goal of automation. Conversely, automation takes care of tasks to free the staff’s time, ultimately making your business even more humane.

Similar to a car, it’s not there to take walking away, but rather to take us to the best place to walk at.

Team resistance

Just like any innovation, automating business workflows can meet resistance from both executives and staff. The first may not see the point of additional investments in software, while employees may fear losing their jobs.

Overcoming such obstacles, you need to dispel people’s fears. Describe your goals and clarify how automation is beneficial for all parties involved – the owners, the clients, and the workers.

Overspenditure

Last but not least, expenses are a valid thing to consider whatever business initiative you undertake.

This goes in line with the aforementioned point about setting the right automation goals. Even if your budget allows streamlining virtually all of your company’s processes, it does not mean you should do it. Focus on essential, and go from there.

Business Process Automation Solutions

Now that we’ve covered the curses and blessings of workflow automation, let’s go over the processes that can be improved via algorithms.

As already mentioned, automation can aid almost half of the global paid activities, potentially saving $2 trillion in wages.

At that, there are 4 main types of business processes where automation can play a key role: 

Executive management

Automation can simplify managing large teams with multiple departments and decision-makers.

It allows you to track, manage, and supervise operational activities, see task progress, issues, and deadlines – all in one place. The decision-making process becomes much more simple, transparent, and quick, too. With automated approval from managers on each executive level, your business won’t stall whenever important questions arise. 

Time is money so you can waste none in the business world.        

Team communication

Those who have worked in teams without task management and communication tools will recognize the following picture: responsibilities mixed up, tasks fulfilled incompletely, deadlines missed, and an overall mess in the production process. Team communication established through Skype… 

Sounds familiar, huh?

We’ve all been there. Forget about efficiency, just having the tasks done is already a challenge under such conditions. 

A far better idea is to automate these processes with tech solutions like Slack or Trello. Such software allows teams and departments to stay on the same page when fulfilling complex tasks and continuous objectives. Plus, it ensures overall transparency of the working process.

Customer relationship

Customer relationship is crucial to businesses in the digital realm. It can be a win or lose strategy for your business by affecting your client’s loyalty big time.

Now, the more customers – the harder it is to address all the requests and issues manually. And while keeping your prospects on hold is a questionable option, relying on CRM solutions might do wonders.

These systems aggregate consumer data, analyze their behavior, and ensure smooth interaction. They help to resolve customer issues, meet their desires and needs, and generate beneficial deals and upsells. Like that you can acquire, convert, and retain more customers.

As for direct customer support, chatbots not only cover the gap in employee resources but even outperform people in resolving client issues. 

Inventory management

Speaking about efficiency, automation can improve inventory management, too.

If you are an active vendor or a retail store owner (or a drop shipping company) – a lot is going on in the warehouse. You’ve got to stock, sell, and monitor your inventories daily. This is a rather complicated task for a human being, especially for big marketplaces and product hubs.

Automation can help with inventory management. These systems keep track of stocked goods, update availability information, evaluate consumption, and remind about ending products. So, you never run out of or oversupply items.

Document turnover 

Very often, paperwork takes the time and attention it really shouldn’t. 

A smart document management solution like the one built by our team can save both your time and nerve cells. It enables you to view, share, and sign documents on the go, effortlessly, and without delays. 

Such tools are especially useful when dealing with extensive documentation to be shared or signed by multiple parties. Great for employee onboarding, budget approvals, contracting, legal issues – you name it. 

Social media

Last but not least – the automation of social media marketing activities. 

While you can hire a dedicated SMM specialist, sometimes there are better ways to invest a few thousand a year. That said, spending your employees’ precious time on posting to Facebook, Linked In, and Instagram may turn out even more costly.  

In this case, an SMM automation tool like Buffer seems more than legit. Kt allows scheduling and posting to all of your social media marketing channels simultaneously and hassle-free. 

Digital Transformation Across Industries

Business process automation solutions are a means to the wider notion of digital transformation. And although it is quite similar across industries, there still are distinctive features with each one.

For specific digital transformation insight, explore our niche-dedicated articles:

• Insurance
• eCommerce
• Healthcare
• Real Estate
• Education
• Logistics
• Banking
• Investments
• Fundraising
• Venture Capital

The bigger picture 

The points covered in the article are mere landmarks to navigate your digitization strategy.

Very probably, you’ll find it possible to automate most of your business’s specific processes. The rule of thumb here is that anything that’s recurrent and requires predictable actions – can be automated to your benefit. In any case, it will probably fit in with the bigger strategy of your business’s management or improvement. 

Need help automating your business activities? Our team is always here to help!