Business process automation (or simply, business automation) is the practice of replacing repetitive manual tasks with technology tools and processes that perform these same tasks (or viable alternatives) with a lesser degree of human involvement.
This form of modernization is often discussed in terms of complex and expensive processes that aim to replace or streamline existing business activities that depend too much upon the availability and precision of human practitioners that are somehow failing to live up to the expectations of the business. One of the main reasons you should care about this topic, is because such descriptions often miss the point almost entirely.
In truth, business automation need not be complex or expensive. It can add value, reach and flexibility to your business even if your processes are not particularly complex. And the benefits to your operation could be immense even if your human workforce isn't actually failing.