Basic automation takes simple, rudimentary tasks and automates them. This level of automation is about digitizing work by using tools to streamline and centralize routine tasks, such as using a shared messaging system instead of having information in disconnected silos. Business process management (BPM) and robotic process automation (RPA) are types of basic automation.
Process automation manages business processes for uniformity and transparency. It is typically handled by dedicated software and business apps. Using process automation can increase productivity and efficiency within your business. It can also deliver new insights into business challenges and suggest solutions. Process mining and workflow automation are types of process automation.
Integration automation is where machines can mimic human tasks and repeat the actions once humans define the machine rules. One example is the “digital worker.” In recent years, people have defined digital workers as software robots that are trained to work with humans to perform specific tasks. They have a specific set of skills, and they can be “hired” to work on teams.
The most complex level of automation is artificial intelligence (AI) automation. The addition of AI means that machines can “learn” and make decisions based on past situations they have encountered and analyzed. For example, in customer service, virtual assistants powered can reduce costs while empowering both customers and human agents, creating an optimal customer service experience.
The use of a repeated set of processes can IT increase IT productivity and efficiency and reduce human errors.
Content management solutions capture, store, activate, analyze and automate business content
Document processing solutions combine artificial intelligence and deep learning to streamline the processing of business documents.
Document management solutions capture, track and store information from digital documents.
Decision management solutions model, manage and automate business decisions through machine learning.
Process mapping solutions can improve operations by identifying bottlenecks and enabling cross-organizational collaboration.
The modern era of workflow automation began in 2005 with the introduction of BPM. With the release of Apple’s Siri in 2011, the trend was to move away from physical robots to automation software.
Machine learning is triggering new processes, rerouting running
processes and making action recommendations.
Hyperautomation is the merging of machine learning, software and
automation tools to maximize the number of automation processes.
AI systems will be able to automate robot configurations and use
predictive and probabilistic processing to learn and interact.
Robots will perform multiple tasks, make decisions, and work
autonomously, including self-diagnostics and maintenance.
Workflow software requiring minimal or no coding will be a priority to
make process automation accessible to the organization.
Automation encompasses everything activities both mundane and
business-critical. Basic automation is programmed to perform a
repetitive task so humans do not have to.
AI is programmed with logic and rules to mimic human decision making. AI
can be used to detect threats such as changes in user behavior or
increased data transfers.
Machine learning uses data and experiences to learn without additional programming. It offers more sophisticated and informed insights with each new dataset.
Automation is transforming how we work. Find out what happens when IBM infuses it with AI.
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