Automating operational execution provides numerous benefits for businesses, making it an essential consideration for any organization looking to improve performance and stay ahead of the competition. By doing so, businesses can increase efficiency, productivity, and accuracy in their operational activities. Automation can also help businesses gain valuable insights and data-driven decision making capabilities, which can be used to improve their operations and stay competitive in today's market, while saving time and resources.
How a business can streamline and automate their operational tasks is another consideration. Nowadays, there are a number of tools and software available to help with that. One such platform that businesses use, particularly with front-liners, is Google Forms, and understandably so. It is free and easy to learn, use and implement. However, using Google Forms could be doing you more harm than good.
It is enticing when a platform is free of charge, like Google Forms. There are no restrictions in terms of usage, and it is easy to use and to implement, especially for smaller establishments and early stage businesses. It is a simple tool that is commonly used for data collection in routine activities (e.g. SOP checklists and daily audits).
Google Forms is also user-friendly. It does not require you to read any manual or watch a tutorial video to understand how to handle it. The best example is that the form is pre-designed, meaning you focus only on the questions, not the workflow.
To add on to the data collection aspect, it is possible to upload files as well as an attachment, like a picture or a screenshot, albeit limited and not in real-time.
Google Forms is widely known as the tool for creating online surveys and quizzes -form building. While it can be useful in certain contexts, it may not be reliable for use in frontline operations for several reasons.
First, Google Forms is not designed for use in high-pressure or critical situations. It is a general-purpose tool, and may not have the robustness or reliability needed for use in operational environments. Auto-escalation for issue resolution is not an available feature.The
Second, Google Forms is not typically used for collecting and storing sensitive or critical data. It is not designed for use in situations where data security and confidentiality are paramount. As such, it may not be appropriate for use in frontline operations where sensitive or confidential information may be collected.
Third, Google Forms relies on an internet connection to function. In many frontline operational environments, internet connectivity may be limited or unavailable. Without an internet connection, Google Forms will not be able to function, and any data collected may not be able to be accessed or analyzed.
The design customization aspect of Google Forms is also lacking, the layout of the questions, as well as the trend analysis and reporting view is limited compared to other forms of operational execution tools.
Following the previously stated advantages and disadvantages of using Google Forms for operations management and execution, below is a breakdown of the features available when using Nimbly, a specialized frontline operations platform versus Google Forms.
Having a software or a solution to manage and automate frontline operations is essential for businesses looking to improve their performance and stay competitive in today's market. It is an investment that should benefit the organization in the long- run, streamlining and optimizing processes, and reducing the need for manual labor and minimizing the potential for errors. This can help increase efficiency and productivity, ultimately leading to cost savings and improved customer satisfaction.
Nimbly Technologies offers such a solution that is customizable and can provide businesses with valuable insights and data-driven decision making capabilities. The analytics dashboard it has allows users to track and analyze data collected from operational environments. This can be useful for identifying trends, spotting potential issues, and making data-driven decisions. The same level of data analysis capabilities cannot be said about Google Forms.
The issue tracker feature that Nimbly has is also a tool that allows users to track and manage issues that arise in operational environments with automated escalation. This can be useful for identifying and addressing problems in a timely manner, and for preventing future issues from occurring. In contrast, Google Forms does not have a built-in issue tracker, and does not offer the same level of support for tracking and managing operational issues.
When dealing with aspects of operation, choosing a more robust and comprehensive solution such as Nimbly Technologies can help businesses thrive and give them an edge over the competition.
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