There is something called web.whatsapp.com, if you don't know. Also, there are custom programs that will automatically answer whatsapp messages, like dealing with pizza orders, for instance, without any human intervention.
Yes, I know, use it everyday. Most small business in Brazil don't. And definitively no automated software. Also, all automated software for WhatsApp must rely on terrible hacks on the interface, as there's no supported API and WA is really aggressive against third-party clients.
