Distrust in the Telecommunications Industry Regarding Automation: A Necessary and Unstoppable Path

The telecommunications industry, which is essential for global connectivity and technological development, faces a significant dilemma: distrust towards automation. Although automation is an inevitable and crucial path for the evolution of the industry, many companies are still hesitant to fully embrace these technologies. This resistance, while understandable, must be overcome to ensure the competitiveness and efficiency of the sector.

The Roots of Distrust

The distrust towards automations in the telecommunications industry can be caused by several factors:

• Fear of Unemployment: The replacement of human workers with machines and automated systems raises concerns about job losses. This fear is particularly strong in sectors where skilled labor is traditionally valued.
• Technological Complexity: Implementing automated systems requires advanced technical knowledge. Many companies struggle to find qualified professionals to manage and maintain these technologies.
• Security and Reliability: There is significant concern over cybersecurity and reliability of automated systems. Incidents of technical failures or cyberattacks can have devastating consequences for telecommunications operations.
• Initial Cost: The initial investment for implementing automated solutions can be high. Many companies hesitate to make this investment without clear short-term return guarantees.

The Need for Automation

Despite the concerns, automation is a necessary and irreversible path for the telecommunications industry. The advantages are clear and cover several operational and strategic aspects:

• Operational Efficiency: Automated systems can perform repetitive and time-consuming tasks faster and more accurately than humans. This frees up professionals to focus on strategic and higher value-added activities.
• Reduction of Errors: Automation makes human errors less likely to happen, ensuring greater accuracy and reliability in operational processes.
• Scalability: Automated solutions allow companies to scale their operations efficiently, meeting a growing demand without the proportional need to increase human resources.
• Proactive Monitoring and Maintenance: Automated systems can monitor telecommunications infrastructure in real-time, identifying and solving problems before they cause significant disruptions.

Overcoming Mistrust

To overcome distrust regarding automations, telecommunications companies can adopt various strategies:

• Training and Reskilling: Invest in the training and reskilling of workers so they can take on new roles in an automated environment. This can reduce the fear of unemployment and ensure a smoother transition.
• Gradual Implementation: Take a step-by-step approach to implementing automations, allowing teams to adapt to new technologies and processes.
• Focus on Security: Prioritize cybersecurity when implementing automated systems, making sure that solutions are robust and protected against threats.
• Transparency and Communication: Maintain transparent communication with all stakeholders about the benefits and challenges of automation, promoting a culture of acceptance and collaboration.

Success Stories: Automation in the Telecommunications Industry

Recently, with the help of our in-house automation team, led by the distinguished Homero Tavares, we were able to significantly improve our processes for analyzing protocols and loading BOQs (Bill of Quantities).

Automation in the Protocol Analysis Process

In the past, the process of analyzing protocols was extremely time-consuming. It took us more than 45 days to complete the analysis of a spreadsheet containing the list of all active processes logged in various public and private entities throughout Brazil. It is important to point out that the process was carried out manually, which increased the possibility of errors and made the task exhausting for the professional in charge.

With the implementation of automation, this process is now performed by a robot. Programmed to identify the corresponding agency for each protocol in the spreadsheet, the robot searches its database for the necessary data (portal, username, and password) to access the platforms and check status updates. After this verification, it updates the control and, in case of any changes (e.g., canceled or approved), sends an email to those responsible for the proper follow-up.

The employee who previously performed this task manually now focuses on handling processes that truly require human intervention, flagged beforehand by the robot. This has resulted in a drastic improvement in analysis time and process efficiency.

Automation in the BOQ Loading Process

Another process that has been revolutionized by automation is the BOQ loading request. Like the protocol analysis, this process was also carried out manually and took weeks to be completed.

With automation, our team of experts has been able to map the processes and optimize our effort from weeks into minutes. The robot opens multiple portals, cross-references information, downloads files, processes the data, and submits them on the final portal, in addition to feeding a control spreadsheet. All of this is done with impressive precision.

Positive Impacts and Final Thoughts

The implementation of these automations has brought significant benefits to our operation, drastically reducing analysis time and increasing process efficiency. This demonstrates that, despite the initial distrust in relation to automation, it is a necessary and irreversible path for the telecommunications industry. Automation not only optimizes processes but also frees up professionals to focus on higher value-added tasks, promoting a more productive and less stressful work environment.

In view of the above, the distrust towards automations in the telecommunications sector is understandable, but it must be addressed proactively. Automation offers undeniable benefits that can be a breakthrough for the industry, making it more efficient, scalable, and resilient. With a strategic and well-planned approach, it is possible to overcome the challenges and embrace automation as a necessary and inevitable path to the future of telecommunications.