Check out this article how to automate processes in the death care industry featuring our Vice President of Sales, Mark Anthony. This article was written by our partner, funeral home software company CRäKN.
By CRäKN.
Very few of us sit down and say to ourselves: this year, we’re going to keep doing things the way we’ve always done them, even though we could be more efficient, save time, reduce errors, and better serve our client’s families.
Very few of us would ever say this kind of statement out loud, but the reality is many of us don’t take the necessary steps to effectively automate the workflow in our business. Without automating, we forego many potential benefits, such as efficiency, profitability, and the ability to offer an enhanced experience to the families we serve.
In fact, when it’s done in the right way, automation streamlines your business, giving you more time each day for the tasks you should be focused on—like spending more time with client families.
CemSites, a cloud cemetery software solution, provides complete, easy, and intuitive record management software for cemetery organizations. CemSites improves the workflow of every cemetery with tools to visualize data, plot and display graves, manage finances, sell products online, automate contracts, and much more.
We spoke with Mark Anthony, Vice President of Sales at CemSites, about the benefits of automation and how to know when it’s time for death care professionals to automate. Keep reading to discover the major benefits your business will experience with automation, as well as some common misconceptions about automation that shouldn’t be holding you back.
Is It Time to Automate?
Sometimes the best way to know if you’re ready to change is to visualize and fully comprehend the benefits of that change. Here are some major benefits of automation:
1. Error Reduction
Mark explained that one of the top reasons death care professionals embrace automation for repetitive tasks is to cut down on human error.
“Numerous avoidable errors are caused every day by staff having to enter the same information in multiple places. We often say that if you have to type it more than once, you’ve typed it too many times.”
2. Increased Organization
Automation ensures that the information you collect and/or compile is entered more accurately, and it also can ensure that the information is much more organized.
“Another big issue can be handwriting,” explained Mark. “We all know that there is a greater likelihood of data transcription errors when trying to decipher handwritten documents.”
Not only does automation greatly reduce errors, it also allows that information to remain organized for years to come.
3. Optimal Efficiency
Automation is so powerful because it can allow you to improve quality while also saving you time. With automation, your processes can be streamlined where it makes sense to streamline, and your workflow is enhanced as a result.
“Automation doesn’t just allow you to work faster, it allows you to work better, too,” said Mark.
A few examples of the kind of automation found in both CRäKN and CemSites include:
- Single-Entry System allows you to enter case information only once
- After data is entered into the system once, it auto-populates across every form you need for each family
- Accurate and up-to-date customer information and inventory is always at your fingertips
- Real-time notifications alert team members when a detail on an event changes
- Real-time updates are synced across the system and the organization, giving everyone access to the latest information
- Efficient accounting software integrated to reduce errors and minimize repetitive data entry
- Generation of contracts and purchase agreements, and the ability to make sure every detail is always accurate
- Automatic and offsite storage of critical information ensures that no data is lost in the event of fire or other natural disasters
“In CemSites, if you are creating a contact in your system, you can link it to a property record through automation. That means when you link the contact to a property record, you don’t have to enter all of the contact information again. You can also create documents directly from that original information that was entered,” explained Mark.
“This kind of automation and customization can also go hand in hand. For example, if you have a funeral home or vendor that you often use, you can enter that information into the system one time, and link it to a property, customer, or anything you need.”
What’s Holding You Back from Automation?
With all of the benefits offered by automation, some business owners can be intimidated, particularly when it comes to cost.
“That’s a misconception,” explained Mark. “In reality, automation tools and software are very affordable.”
Similar to CRäKN, many CemSites clients report such a large return on investment that the software pays for itself.
Another concern of death care professionals is that the automation won’t be customized to their needs, which also isn’t always true. With CRäKN and CemSites, for example, the software is built around the needs of the client.
“We build exactly what you want and need for your business,” said Mark, “so this is about as far as it gets from a cookie cutter solution.”
Still others have concerns that too much automation will put their roles at risk.
“Automation is designed to make your job easier, not eliminate it. It is a tool that will allow you to be more effective and productive in your work each day,” explained Mark.
Put More Time Back into Your Day with Automation
Let CRäKN and CemSites carry the burden of the routine tasks, so you can focus on the big and important tasks that shouldn’t be delegated or automated.
With CRäKN’s Single Entry System, you can enter a loved one’s information just one time, and from there it will populate across the entire system, including the digital whiteboard, case files, contracts, notifications, messages, financial information, family authorizations, government forms, the obituaries, stationery providers, answering service, and calendars. The information you enter is also accessible to, any staff or other person, place, or vendor who needs the information. One and done!
For the full article written by CRäKN, click here.
