Automation: Automation plays a big role in lean systems and is a key to low-cost operations. Money freed up because of inventory reductions or other efficiencies can be invested in automation to reduce costs. The benefits, of course, are greater profits, greater market share (because prices can be cut), or both. Automation can play a big role when it comes to providing lean services. For example, banks offer ATMs that provide various bank services on demand 24 hours a day.Automation should be planned carefully, however. Many managers believe that if some automation is good, more is better, which is not always the case. At times, humans can do jobs better than robots and automated assembly systems. In other instances, especially when production volumes are high, automation can result in higher quality, precision, and productivity.