Intelligent Automation vs. Hyperautomation: A New Era of Automation or Just Sales Hype?
Introduction In recent years, businesses have increasingly turned to automation technologies to improve operational efficiency, streamline processes, and reduce costs. Two buzzwords that have emerged in this context are "intelligent automation" and "hyperautomation." Are these terms representing distinct phases of automation, or are they merely sales hype to sell more bots?
In this article, we'll explore these concepts, their differences, and whether we're entering a new era of automation.
Intelligent Automation: A Fusion of AI and RPA Intelligent Automation (IA) is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA). RPA is a technology that automates repetitive, rule-based tasks by mimicking human interactions with software applications. AI, on the other hand, comprises machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, among other technologies, enabling machines to learn, understand, and make decisions.
By combining AI with RPA, intelligent automation allows organisations to tackle more complex tasks, make data-driven decisions, and adapt to changing circumstances. In this way, IA goes beyond simple task automation to create a more dynamic, responsive, and adaptable system.
Hyperautomation: The Next Step Hyperautomation takes intelligent automation to the next level by orchestrating and integrating a broad range of advanced technologies, including RPA, AI, machine learning, process mining, and advanced analytics. The goal of hyper-automation is to automate not just individual tasks but entire end-to-end processes, creating a seamless digital ecosystem.
Hyperautomation is driven by the idea of a "Digital Twin of an Organization" (DTO), which is a virtual representation of the organisation's processes, people, and technology. DTO enables real-time monitoring, analysis, and optimisation of the organisation's operations. Hyperautomation aims to leverage this virtual model to identify and automate even the most complex and intricate processes.
Are They Phases of Automation or Sales Hype? Intelligent automation and hyper-automation represent the evolution of automation technologies. While they may seem like buzzwords, these terms reflect a genuine progression in the automation landscape. Intelligent automation is the first step in moving from simple, rule-based task automation to more complex, decision-making processes.
Hyperautomation is the next step, focusing on a comprehensive, interconnected approach to automating and optimizing an organization's entire digital ecosystem.
A New Era of Automation As organisations continue to adopt and embrace these advanced automation technologies, we are indeed entering a new era of automation. Intelligent automation and hyper-automation represent a shift in how businesses approach automation, focusing on the integration of multiple technologies and the optimisation of end-to-end processes.
Conclusion While intelligent automation and hyper-automation may have initially appeared as buzzwords, they signify real advancements in the automation industry. These concepts reflect a move towards more comprehensive, interconnected, and intelligent automation solutions. As organisations strive for increased efficiency, cost reduction, and innovation, adopting intelligent automation and hyper-automation technologies will become increasingly essential to remain competitive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.