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Process Automation: Where to Start in Your SME

by Rafael del Castillo

At Studio Oriente, we believe that technology shouldn't feel distant, expensive, or complex. On the contrary: when well applied, it can become a silent ally that saves you time, reduces errors, and allows you to focus on what truly matters. That's why many of our consultations for small and medium-sized businesses begin with a key question:
What processes can you automate today, without major investments, to work better tomorrow?
Why automate?
Because every hour you or your team dedicate to repetitive tasks is a lost opportunity to grow. Automating processes allows you to:
  • Gain time without hiring more people
  • Minimize human errors
  • Improve the customer experience
  • Have more control and traceability in your operation
And the best part: you can start simply, without changing your entire system.
Roadmap for Immediate Impact
Map Your Current Processes
Before implementing tools, observation is key. Review your daily workflows:
• What tasks are constantly repeated? • What depends too much on one person? • Where is time lost waiting for responses or updates?
Note these points. It's your list of opportunities.
Choose a Simple Yet Impactful Process
Don't start with the most complicated. The first step should be visible, useful, and easy to measure. Some common examples:
• Automate responses to contact forms • Automatically send quotes or reminders • Generate weekly reports from a spreadsheet • Send internal notifications when a sale is made
Think about what consumes the most time and adds the least value.
Use Accessible (and No-Code) Tools
Today there are solutions that don't require programming. Some of our favorites at Studio Oriente:
• Make.com or Zapier: connect apps to each other to create automated workflows (for example: "when I receive an order, generate an invoice and send an email to the client"). • Google Sheets + Scripts: for reports, task management, inventory, and more. • CRMs like HubSpot Starter or Zoho One: simple and scalable business automation. • Holded, Alegra, or QuickBooks: automate invoicing and financial control.
If you need help selecting or configuring tools, at Studio Oriente we support you throughout the entire process.
Involve Your Team
Automation is not a "technology" project: it's a cultural transformation. Listen to your team. Often, they are the ones who experience daily bottlenecks and can suggest what to automate first.
Measure and Improve
After implementing your first automation, review the results:
  • How much time did you save per week?
  • Which tasks disappeared or were simplified?
  • Did customer satisfaction or internal flow improve?
Document the impact. That's the best way to scale.
Automating isn't dehumanizing: it's reclaiming time for what truly matters
At Studio Oriente, we believe that technology doesn't replace human talent; it empowers it. That's why we design solutions that integrate tools with real processes, adapted to your business and your culture.
If you're wondering where to start, perhaps you've already taken the first step: asking the right question.
Do you want us to help you identify automation opportunities in your SME?
Write to us. At Studio Oriente, we are here to support you.