🔁 Best Practices for Laserfiche Business Process Automation
Laserfiche Business Process Automation (BPA) is your backstage pass to more efficient, consistent, and paperless operations. But great automation doesn’t start with a click—it starts with strategy. Whether you're just getting started or scaling across departments, these tips will help you build workflows that actually work.
Here’s your step-by-step guide—with a few fun icons along the way. 🎉
🧭 1. Start with the Process, Not the Platform
Before you jump into Laserfiche Forms or Workflow Designer, take a step back.
✔️ Map out the process
✔️ Identify pain points
✔️ Clarify who does what and when
📝 Use flowcharts or swimlane diagrams to get everyone aligned.
🎯 2. Focus on One High-Impact Use Case
Don’t try to automate everything at once. Start small but mighty.
🚀 Pick a process that’s:
- Repetitive 🔁
- Time-consuming ⏱️
- Measurable 📊
Examples: Invoice approvals, employee onboarding, or service request routing.
🤝 3. Get Users Involved Early
Your best insights come from the people who actually use the process.
👂 Ask for feedback during:
- Requirements gathering 🧠
- Form mockups 📄
- Workflow testing 🧪
Happy users = higher adoption = long-term success.
⚙️ 4. Build for Real-Life Exceptions
Processes are rarely linear. Plan for what could go wrong.
🔄 Add logic for:
- Missing data ❌
- Out-of-office approvers 🏖️
- Rejected submissions 🙅♀️
- Manual overrides 🛠️
Laserfiche’s routing rules and timers have your back.
🧼 5. Keep Forms Clean & Friendly
Good form design = fewer mistakes and faster submissions.
✨ Best practices:
- Group related fields 🧩
- Use dropdowns or radio buttons where possible 🔘
- Pre-fill fields with lookups 🔍
- Validate inputs (no more typos!) 🧠
And yes—make it look good on mobile! 📱
🏷️ 6. Leverage Metadata Like a Pro
Metadata powers everything in Laserfiche. Use it to:
- Route documents intelligently 🗂️
- Track progress ✅
- Trigger retention rules 📁
- Simplify search 🔍
Standardize your templates and naming conventions early on.
📈 7. Measure What Matters
Once your process is live—don’t ghost it. 👻
Track:
- Completion times ⌛
- Bottlenecks 🚧
- Errors or rejections ⚠️
- User satisfaction 👍
📊 Use Laserfiche dashboards or connect to Power BI to turn data into decisions.
📚 8. Document (Everything!)
Your future self will thank you.
🗒️ Keep notes on:
- Process flows 🌀
- Workflow rules 🧾
- User roles & permissions 🛡️
- Integration steps 🔌
Documentation makes scaling and troubleshooting a breeze.
🔐 9. Stay Secure & Compliant
Automation should strengthen compliance, not complicate it.
✅ Make sure your process:
- Logs all activity (audit trails) 📜
- Restricts access by role 🔐
- Follows HIPAA, FERPA, or other standards 🏥
- Applies retention rules 📆
Laserfiche gives you the tools—just use them wisely.
📦 10. Build with Growth in Mind
Even if you’re starting small, think big. 🌱
🌐 Ask yourself:
- Can this be a template for other departments?
- Are naming conventions scalable?
- Should I delegate ownership with Laserfiche Teams?
Automation isn’t a one-time project—it’s a long-term strategy.
💡 Final Thoughts
Laserfiche BPA doesn’t just digitize paper—it transforms how your organization works. When you follow these best practices, you’re not just building workflows. You’re building a better, smarter way to work. ✨
Ready to automate like a pro? Let’s team up to plan your first—or next—workflow!