For 2 years running hyperautomation has been listed as one of Gartner’s “Top Strategic Technology Trends.” As defined by them, 

“Hyperautomation deals with the application of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to increasingly automate processes and augment humans. Hyperautomation extends across a range of tools that can be automated, but also refers to the sophistication of the automation (i.e., discover, analyze, design, automate, measure, monitor, reassess.)”

The end result of many hyperautomation initiatives is the creation of a “digital twin of the organization” (DTO), that enables organizations to visualize their entire automation ecosystem and more easily comprehend how people, processes, data flows and technology all intersect to deliver value.

However, one might find themselves asking, is hyper-automation really anything new? And furthermore, even if it is, is it an effective means towards digital transformation?

WATCH NEXT: Shifting to a Hyperautomation Mindset 

Hyperautomation & Scalable RPA

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has been a gamechanger for many organizations due to its ability to automate repeatable mundane tasks such as data entry or invoice reconciliation. However, RPA is not without its challenges. To start, it’s very brittle, meaning even the smallest of changes can cause the “bot” to malfunction. Secondly, RPA can increase technical debt substantially over time if underlying systems and processes are not fully optimized pre-implementation. 

The idea behind hyperautomation is that by augmenting RPA with “smarter” technologies such as AI and ML as well as embracing a more sophisticated, holistic approach to business process management (BPM), organizations can avoid many of these pitfalls. 

For example, in a recent article published in FedTech, Kofax’s David Sentongo shares how one federal government contractor has manifested hyperautomation to more efficiently process tens of millions of Affordable Care Act applications:

“RPA automates the eligibility verification process, and intelligent, AI-enabled data capturing tools extract data at a massive scale. Analytics capabilities enable monitoring of the processes and workflows. A robotic workforce uses the same case management systems, rules and governance as human employees, but does so up to six times faster, resulting in a tremendous return on investment.”

WATCH NEXT: Utilizing Data In Achieving Hyperautomation

So is it time to hop on the hop on the hyperautomation train?

At this point, “hyperautomation” does not represent a new category of tools or solutions but more of a strategic goal or framework. A more advanced, big-picture approach to automation, if you will. However, as more and more solution providers adopt this term, it could become a moniker that encompasses all next generation automation solutions. 

That being said, for some companies, the pursuit of hyperautomation, however they choose to define it, will be a worthy endeavor that facilitates digital transformation. For others, such as those who are less technically savvy or are grappling with high levels systems complexity and shadow IT, hyperautomation could exacerbate their problems.

Whether you’re looking to automate a single workflow or unleash the power of a enterprise-wide IA, hyperautomation could serve as a potential guiding light for ensuring all people, processes and technologies are aligned. Or not. As no two automation initiatives are alike, before you undertake such a journey, it’s critical you develop your own vision and roadmap for IA success based on your organization’s unique culture, opportunities and limitations. 

Hyperautomation Vendors

Though achieving hyperautomation often entails the integration of multiple systems and solutions, some of the major enabling technology providers include:

• Blueprism - Blue Prism is the global leader in intelligent automation for the enterprise, transforming the way work is done. We help organizations just like yours accelerate operational efficiency and agility by making it easy for your people to automate the processes that matter most. Our intelligent digital workforce is smart, secure, scalable, and successful, freeing up humans to reimagine work.

• Appian - Appian helps organizations build apps and workflows rapidly, with a low-code automation platform. A global leader across multiple enterprise technology markets, including low-code application development, digital process automation (DPA), intelligent business process management systems (iBPMS), and dynamic case management (DCM). 

• UiPath -  UiPath is a robotic process automation platform for end-to-end high-scale automation. UiPath software offers solutions for enterprises to automate repetitive office tasks for rapid business transformation. From process discovery to measuring ROI, UiPAth centralizes and streamlines enterprise automation. 

• Automation Anywhere - The world’s only cloud-native, AI-powered, web-based platform for end-to-end automation. Automation Anywhere offers the most intuitive RPA solutions that anyone can use with ease. Enterprise-grade technology with the intuitive experience of a consumer application. Our RPA+AI platform of products has automated business processes for some of the biggest brands in the world.

• Catalytic - Catalytic is the no-code workflow automation platform that empowers business people to become citizen developers, quickly building digitized, automated and AI-enabled workflows. With Catalytic, companies can operate faster with more efficiency and less friction.

• NICE RPA - NICE has been setting industry-wide standards in Robotic Process Automation for over 18 years. Our innovative Attended Automation solution, NEVA, brings people and robots together. It enables intelligent process optimization while unleashing employees’ potential to ensure exceptional customer experiences. We develop and manage our RPA portfolio from a single platform, hold the largest scale automation projects in the market, and are known for driving digital transformation across the enterprise.

Want content and event updates in real-time? BECOME AN INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION NETWORK (IAN) MEMBER

Scalable RPA & Intelligent Automation Live

The key for global corporate enterprise is to benefit from the collective intelligence presented by RPA and cognitive technologies along with human workers. Only by having technology combine with human talent can global corporate enterprise achieve scalable intelligent automation. And only with scalable intelligent automation enterprise resiliency be realized.

 

Join that community for lessons learned at SRIA Live.

Register Now