For those businesses that want to lower operational costs, the idea of adopting Business Process Automation (BPA) has become one of the top solutions. The incorporation of software applications, integrating applications and restructuring manpower throughout a company or institution is the general definition of BPA. There are three primary methods of delivering Business Automation Applications.
- Extension of BPA to existing IT systems. Most IT systems are intrinsically automated. By linking BPAs to these existing IT systems, you are able to obtain the desired automation. In this way, automation can be designed especially for that organisation’s needs. The downside is that it is difficult and time-consuming to train or find qualified people both internally or from outside.
- Purchase a specialised BPA tool. As BPA utilisation becomes popularised, many specialists in different fields are providing BPAs that are purpose-built for specific needs of an organisation, such as monitoring social media trends. Many of these types of BPAs come with easy to use interfaces that allow “non-technically qualified” staff to operate it. This saves the company time and money since they don’t have to train them in its use.
- Purchase a BPM solution that comes with BPA extensions. Though Business Process Management (BPM) systems are very different from BPAs, building automation “on the back of” BPM is achievable. This solution’s benefit is also its drawback. A BPM model delivers a structure for all functions in the organisation to be mapped, but this also causes delays in individual processes, making whatever benefits you would expect to be lost or decreased in the meantime.
Seems like every industry known to man is becoming automated these days. And as 2017 turns into 2018, this trend of automation will only gain in speed and popularity. Even now, the world of media has seen the rise of the “journalists that never sleep.” Even social media platforms are seeing AI taking control.
Here is a quick glance at three trends in automation.