What Is Hyperautomation
Key takeaways
- Hyperautomation is the combination of advanced technologies such as machine learning, intelligent business management software and automation tools to enable the complete automation of complex business processes.
- Hyperautomation can greatly contribute to higher productivity in the company.
- In contrast to software robots, hyperautomation is characterized by a much wider range of functions. Robotic Process Automation is limited and thus not suitable for handling complex tasks.
- Hyperautomation does not necessarily replace the human workforce. Humans remain an important decision-maker in the company.
- Costs are significantly lower because automation reduces the time and resources spent on manual tasks and also the number of errors.
Hyperautomation and AI
As the name suggests, hyperautomation transcends the typical automation strategy and takes conventional automation measures to the next level. Hyperautomation is the combination of advanced technologies such as machine learning, intelligent business management software and automation tools to fully automate complex business processes.
Unlike traditional automation, hyperautomation enables more effective process automation because it refers not only to the broad range of tools, but also to the complexity of each automation step, i.e., recognizing, analyzing, designing, measuring, monitoring and re-evaluating process steps.
Another key feature of hyperautomation in this context is its ability to involve people in the process. Because hyperautomation involves technology and humans working side-by-side as well as together, employees can begin to train automation tools and move toward a state of AI-enabled decision-making through machine learning.
We’ve taken the first big step toward fully automated processes through the use of Robotic Process Automation (short: RPA). However, Robotic Process Automation is not suitable for handling complex tasks. This is because RPA focuses on standardized and repetitive processes that have a high volume of work. Hyperautomation also enables companies to process unstructured input data with the goal of increasingly AI-driven decision-making. The combination of artificial intelligence, process intelligence, content intelligence and other technologies is driving rapid progress.
These technologies and approaches are crucial to hyperautomation development
The term hyperautomation involves the combination of different technologies. From a global perspective, the focus is still on the automation of simple tasks, but the combination of different technologies ensures more efficient processes. In addition, the need for human intervention is eliminated — the resources freed up are available for other tasks. Accordingly, hyperautomation contributes to higher productivity in the company.
This approach makes sense from a strategic perspective in particular, because people are a scarce resource. Competent employees remain in short supply. In addition, automated solutions are less prone to errors. However, a clean process definition is the prerequisite here. Ultimately, companies become more agile and the necessary data and insights can be retrieved more quickly.
Let’s have a look at the different technologies that need to be seamlessly combined to create a feasible hyperautomation approach.
Machine Learning
Machine learning is a subfield of artificial intelligence. Here, with the help of self-learning algorithms, a program attempts to recognize certain patterns and regularities in the data and to intelligently link these together, recognize correlations, draw conclusions and make predictions. With machine learning, humans hardly have to intervene at all, as the patterns identified are used to predict the following steps. Accordingly, complete processes can also be optimized with the help of this method. For the training process, suitable training data must be used and a model for using this data must be created.
Robotic Process Automation
In robotic process automation, software robots take over the processing of rule-based business processes. These are simple and repetitive activities. With the help of RPA, a software robot can be programmed to execute the desired process on the basis of a repetitive procedure. The results here are standardized and not very complex.
Process Mining
Many companies know that automation is important to work more efficiently and improve customer satisfaction, for example. But many don’t know exactly where to start. Process mining can be used to analyze patterns and tasks and uncover automation potential. In doing so, organizations can also take future challenges into account — for example, when it comes to complying with new or changed regulatory requirements.
Workflow optimization
This enables multiple processes to be accurately mapped, optimized, and executed in digital workflows, taking into account people and existing applications. By orchestrating multiple people, actions, software robots, policies, and systems in a unified way, organizations can better analyze, measure, and optimize business activities as needed.
Intelligent Business Process Management Suites
BPMS are the further development of the classic BPMS, but offers more functions for more intelligent business processes. Features such as validation (process simulation, including “what-if”) and logical conformance (i.e. verification), optimization, and the ability to gain insight into process performance are all part of the intelligent Business Process Management Suite. iBPMS also offers enhanced support for human collaboration such as integration with social media, streaming analytics.
Interoperability is key
While RPA solutions are often the product of a software development company, that takes over individual tasks through programming, hyperautomation goes a crucial step further. As part of this development, companies need to use different tools and utilities that work together. Interoperability is therefore the foundation for a profitable hyperautomation solution. Consequently, the various tools must be able to communicate with each other in order to generate the greatest possible added value.
Companies must say goodbye to classic technology stacks in the context of hyperautomation. Instead, a holistic approach must be taken so that no negative effects are experienced when a new tool is introduced. Only the interaction of all tools can make a positive contribution to improved processes. Accordingly, the focus is on technologies with plug-and-play solutions and APIs.
Hyper automation doesn’t make the human factor obsolete
However, hyperautomation does not just refer to the mere implementation of new tools for managing business processes. Rather, people must cooperate with each other in the course of this development. Although software robots take over classic tasks that humans performed in the past, this does not mean that the human factor loses relevance. Humans remain an important decision-maker in the company. The application of new technologies is also a task that people take on. Accordingly, the interpretation of the data, as well as the logic behind the analyses, also remains a task performed by people.
For example, social media for customer engagement is an excellent example of the relevance of the human factor. In the future, companies may implement various tools and utilities that leverage RPA and machine learning. Consequently, extensive reports will emerge that paint a detailed picture of current customer sentiment. However, interpreting this data is not the software’s job. Rather, the technology merely provides the foundation that is subsequently used by the marketing team. Based on the insights gained, this team can take various measures and define campaigns, promotions or incentives to address any shortcomings. In this way, satisfied customers can be retained and dissatisfied customers identified in good time.
What are the real benefits of hyperautomation compared to traditional automation or RPA?
In contrast to software robots, hyperautomation is characterized by a much wider range of functions. This allows employees to familiarize themselves more quickly with the latest business and market information. The bottom line is that the quality of the work performed improves.
The positive effects of hyperautomation can be felt throughout the entire company. Costs are significantly lower because automation reduces the time and resources spent on manual tasks and also the number of errors. In addition, processes become scalable through hyper automation, which transforms a manual, complex task into a reliable, repeatable process. A collaborative ecosystem, made up of technologies and people working together, leads to better business outcomes.
As an added benefit, process automation allows organizations to respond much more quickly to customer questions and needs — creating a personalized customer experience. Not only does this increase customer satisfaction, but at best, the positive experience leads to higher loyalty and more revenue.
Hyperautomation also creates an efficient workforce (consisting of human and digital colleagues) so that flexibility and agility enter the organization. When people can focus on value-added activities, it gives companies an important competitive advantage. Ultimately, this also benefits employees, who appreciate this work more. They can focus on activities and projects that add real value to the company and can thus help optimize the customer’s experience, for example. This leads to happier employees because they now see added value in their work. Studies show that employees who recognize the purpose and importance of their work, work harder and more efficiently.
Benefits of hyperautomation in a nutshell
- Agility and flexibility: hyperautomation relies on the seamless cooperation between a wide range of automation technologies. This allows companies to overcome the hurdles of a single digital technology. This makes hyper automation solutions more flexible and scalable
- Better productivity: by automating repetitive, time-consuming tasks, employees can take on more valuable corporate roles that require less resources
- Integration: hyperautomation allows companies to integrate digital technologies across different legacy systems, which allows for seamless communication between stakeholders
- Better ROI: hyperautomation elevates profits by reducing costs and potentially boosting revenue. Power hyper automation boosts revenue and reduces costs
- Better analytics: A better ROI can also be achieved through advanced analytics to better evaluate trends and developments. Organizations can optimize their deployment of available resources.
- Adherence to compliance and a reduction in entrepreneurial risk.
- Higher level of education in the workforce
- Better employee satisfaction and motivation
- Focusing of cooperation and holistic approaches within the company and reduction of divisional responsibilities
Rinf.tech can support you in the development of automated processes
