All About Automation
In this tutorial, we will not only learn the automation, but we will also go through real-life examples of how the automation works. First of all, I am assuming that you all are from a tech background. But this will be helpful for both if you are in the technology field or not; you will get proper awareness of it.
Imagine this, everything is mysterious, you didn't touch the glass, but everything is going on by magic. You drink water, eat food when you feel hungry.
When you feel thirsty or hungry, everything happens automatically. You're all desires fulfilled, even though you didn't touch anything. That's the magic, but that is the power of automaton.
What is Automation?
As you heard the word automatic in daily life and this is a very famous word. In the tech field, if there are hundreds of your employers, and you want to send the same thing, assume you are emailing, so what you can do you will send the email to an individual, which will be so discussing and time wasting for you. So there the automation works. You are an owner of the website and you want that when any person registers first time then they should get the welcome email. What can you do? If you are waiting and sending an email by your own to every person, then not only will your time be wasted on the same message to give to everyone when they are registering, but the automation works there. Automation works at that time, it sees if the user is new and registered first time, then it will send him the welcome message. In any case he changes his credentials, then it will notify him by email that your password or name has been changed. Now, I think you understand how automation is working behind the scenes.
How Automation Works?
As we have learn before, the system that runs by its own may sometimes require minimal human input. Like, if you are cooking something and using the cooking machine, then you just put the time like 30 minutes, so it automatically stops after 30 minutes.
Automation is used in many fields, including industries, healthcare, and IoT.
Usage of Automation
Automation is used in many fields, as we discussed. Now we can explain each by Individual first, then we can move to the IT field. Like, there are many automation tools like Zapier, Make, and n8n. We will learn all of these, so be with us and learn each aspect of automation.
Manufacturing Automation
Manufacturing automation is the use of machines to automate the production processes with less human intervention.
🔄 So What?
This means that the process can work automatically by robots, which will speed up the work and reduce costs, and increase production.
Real Life Examples
Smart Phone: You might have watched the videos on the internet, showing how robots build the mobile infrastructure and create the motherboard, or all the parts of the mobile.
Vehicle Production: The making of vehicles that might be in the form of a car or motorcycle. The machine can work more efficiently and speed up the workload.
Types of Manufacturing
We will not discuss the types of manufacturing here; I will just give you an overview of it.
- Fixed Automation
- Programmable Automation
- Flexible Automation
- Process Automation
If you are interested, read this. Types of Manufacturing Automation
Okay, there are many other types, but we will talk about the AI Workflow Automation Tools.
There are many workflow automation tools like Zapier, Make, and n8n that are famous for their ease.
Categories of AI workflow Automation tools
We will discuss all of these.
1. No code (means simple drag and drop)
- Zapier
- IFFT
- Pabbly Connect
- Integrately
- Microsoft Power Automate
2. Low Code (means more control, coding optional)
- Make
- Tray.io
- Warkato
- Tines
3. Open source / Developer Tools
- n8n
- Node-RED
- Huginn
4. Built-in Workflow tools in other software
- HubSpot (Marketing Workflow)
- Salesforce flow
- Active Campaign
- Monday.com Automation
- Notion Automation
We will talk about the most popular AI workflow Automation Tools.
- zapier
- make
- n8n
| Robot Friend 🤖 | Ease of Use 🧠 | App Integrations 🔌 | Coding Required? 👨💻 | Best For 🎯 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier | ✅✅✅ Very Easy | ✅✅✅ Huge App Support | ❌ No | 🆕 Beginners, quick setups |
| Make (Integromat) | ✅✅ Moderate | ✅✅✅ Excellent | 🟡 Optional (Low-code) | 🧩 Puzzle lovers, advanced users |
| n8n | 🟡 Intermediate | ✅✅ Good | ✅✅ Yes (Tech-friendly) | 👨🔧 Developers, self-hosting fans |
| Power Automate | ✅✅ Moderate | ✅ Limited (Microsoft-focused) | 🟡 Optional | 🏢 Microsoft users, offices |
| Pabbly Connect | ✅✅ Easy | ✅✅ Good | ❌ No | 💰 Budget users, small teams |
1. Zapier
Zapier is an AI Workflow tool that is just drag and drop, no coding, but it as much cost and also works for simple to medium workflows.
Zapier is not the best for advanced and complex automation.
It is not good for problems like, if this, then that, with many loops. Limited in logic and loop, and if you want to use Zapier, it will cost you much and also not give you full control.
How does it work?
When I get an email ➡️ add to Google Sheet.
2. Make (Integromat)
Make is a low-code AI workflow tool, drag and drop, and if you want then you can also write the code, which is optional for you.
Drag and drop bubbles, also called (modules), from this, you can build automation.
As we discussed above, can Make do logic and loops? Yes, it can. It works with hundreds of applications, databases, webhooks, and APIs.
Firstly, you don't need to code, but it is optional for you if you want to write the fancy code and make more complex automation.
How does it work?
If someone fills the form on my website, if they check the "yes" or write "yes", then
Send them a welcome email and add their name to the Google sheet.
3. n8n
It also has a drag and drag-and-drop interface for building workflow automation.
It also handles complex logic: conditions, iteration, and error handling.
Connect services like the Gemini, Google Sheet, OpenAI and Discord, etc.
Difference Between make and n8n
Make
Make is strictly cloud only. means your data will reside on their servers.
Make can charge
you per operation(step).
you per operation(step).
Make support AI, but at a basic level.
n8n
n8n is a self-hosted giving you full control over your data.
n8n can charge you per workflow execution.
n8n is more AI native.
If you have any questions, comment below. 💓Thanks for reading
What is Automation, and How can we use it?
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Oleh
Learn With Meaning
