In this article, we're going to explore how Tom from OwnHome revolutionized their document creation process with Portant's automation tool. The problem is that manual data entry and inefficient workflows are time-consuming and prone to errors, which can significantly impact productivity and accuracy.
Many businesses struggle with these issues, leading to wasted resources and potential financial losses. Most people fail in this area because they rely on outdated methods that can't keep up with the demands of modern operations. Streamlining your document processes can transform your business efficiency.
Takeaways from this customer story:
- How OwnHome identified and solved their document workflow issues.
- The tangible benefits of automating document creation.
- Real-world impact on time savings and data accuracy.
- Insights from Tom on the importance of a single source of truth for data.
- The role of Portant in alleviating engineering resource constraints.
Here's Where They Were Struggling
Tom, the Director of Strategy and Operations at OwnHome, faced a daunting challenge. OwnHome's mission is to turn renters into homeowners by funding the deposit gap, a noble cause requiring meticulous handling of numerous documents and processes. From customer applications to underwriting and various loan documents, the workload was immense. Tom's goal was to streamline these operations to improve efficiency and accuracy, ensuring that OwnHome could help more people achieve their dream of homeownership.
The Manual Process Nightmare
The major obstacle was the inefficiency and error-prone nature of their existing document processes. Initially relying on Google Sheets for data storage, they encountered significant challenges with data accuracy and operational time. Manually copying data across multiple documents not only consumed valuable time but also increased the risk of errors. These inefficiencies strained the Ops Team and limited the engineering team's ability to focus on more strategic tasks. It was clear that a more efficient solution was needed to handle the growing demands of their lending operations.
The Game-Changing Solution
Portant came to the rescue, offering a seamless solution for document automation. Tom quickly realized the potential of Portant and within a few hours, he had created a workflow that automated the document creation process. This new system significantly reduced manual data entry by about 75%, allowing the Ops Team to cut major task times by 50%. Portant also freed up engineering resources, enabling them to focus on more critical projects.
Tom emphasized the importance of having a single source of truth for data, which Portant provided, ensuring accuracy and minimizing errors. "By about 4:00 p.m., probably about an hour and a half after I'd found it and signed up, I'd created a workflow that took all the data relevant for a particular loan application and put it through into the documents that we needed for a given customer," Tom said.
The Transformation
The impact of Portant on OwnHome's operations was profound. Tom's document production time decreased from 5-6 hours per week to under an hour, ensuring greater data accuracy and efficiency. The Ops Team experienced a 50% reduction in time spent on major tasks, allowing them to focus on more strategic activities.
The automation of document processes not only saved time but also minimized the risk of errors, enhancing overall productivity. "Rather than dedicate limited resources in engineering to building things that have already been built, we can use Portant instead, and it bridges the gap between our systems,"Tom noted. The success of this implementation highlighted the transformative power of document automation in a high-stakes industry like lending.
Here's What You Should Do Next
What we've learned from Tom's experience is that automating document workflows can lead to significant time savings and improved accuracy.
Actions Recap:
- Identify inefficiencies in your current document processes.
- Implement a document automation tool like Portant.
- Ensure a single source of truth for your data to minimize errors.
One final takeaway: Streamlining your document creation process with automation can transform your business operations, freeing up valuable time and resources.
FAQs
What is Portant, and how does it help with document automation?
Portant is an automation tool designed to streamline document creation processes by reducing manual data entry and improving accuracy. It allows users to create workflows that automatically generate documents from data sources, significantly cutting down on time and minimizing errors.
How much time can I expect to save by using Portant for document automation?
Based on Tom's experience at OwnHome, using Portant can reduce document production time by up to 75%, cutting major task times by 50%. This means you could save several hours each week, freeing up resources for more strategic activities.
What kind of documents can be automated with Portant?
Portant can automate a wide range of documents, including customer applications, underwriting documents, loan agreements, and more. Essentially, any document that relies on data inputs can be streamlined using Portant's automation capabilities.
Is Portant difficult to set up and use?
No, Portant is designed to be user-friendly. Tom from OwnHome was able to set up a functional workflow within an hour and a half of signing up. The intuitive interface allows users to quickly create and implement document automation processes.
How does Portant ensure data accuracy and minimize errors?
Portant provides a single source of truth for data, ensuring that all documents are generated from accurate and consistent data inputs. This reduces the risk of errors associated with manual data entry and copying, enhancing overall data integrity."