Automation is one of the biggest buzzwords in business right now, but what is hyperautomation? And how does it differ from other automation types?
There’s a shift in harnessing technology to drive business success and this article explains how hyperautomation does this, from streamlining mundane tasks to unleashing unprecedented productivity levels. Continue reading to learn more.
What is hyperautomation?
Hyperautomation is a term that refers to the use of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), robotic process automation (RPA), intelligent business process management suites (iBPMS) and other types of automation tools. The purpose is to automate slow, manual tasks and processes within organisations.
The concept of hyperautomation goes beyond traditional automation methods by combining various technologies to streamline and optimise business processes end-to-end. It involves identifying repetitive, rule-based tasks across different departments and functions within an organisation and applying automation technologies to perform them more efficiently and accurately.
Hyperautomation aims to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, minimise errors that come with manual entry, enhance scalability and enable organisations to focus on higher-value activities that require human intervention, creativity and decision-making.
Automation technology integration must occur with existing systems and processes to create a more agile and adaptable digital workforce.
Hyperautomation represents a significant departure from traditional automation methods by adopting a holistic approach to process optimisation that extends across entire organisational workflows.
By integrating a diverse array of advanced technologies, it tackles tasks and processes previously beyond the scope of automation. Hyperautomation can handle complex, unstructured and dynamic tasks, continuously optimising processes.
What's the difference between hyperautomation and intelligent process automation?
With so many keywords surrounding automation, it's easy to get confused. So, we've broken down intelligent process automation and hyperautomation further to help differentiate the two.
Intelligent process automation, or IPA, automates tasks and processes within a larger workflow.
Hyperautomation takes a more holistic approach and automates multiple interconnected processes to provide an end-to-end view of the organisation's operations.
The two technologies have distinct characteristics and goals.
Scope and integration
Hyperautomation encompasses a broader scope, integrating various automation technologies such as RPA, AI, ML, NLP, process mining and iBPMS. It aims to automate end-to-end business processes across multiple departments and functions, enabling organisations to optimise processes.
IPA uses AI and ML technologies to automate tasks and processes intelligently. While IPA also aims to optimise processes, it doesn't incorporate the same breadth of automation technologies as hyperautomation.
Flexibility and adaptability
Hyperautomation emphasises adaptability and scalability, leveraging AI and ML algorithms to optimise processes over time continuously. It can handle complex, unstructured and dynamic tasks, making it well-suited for rapidly evolving business environments.
IPA relies heavily on AI and ML for decision-making and process optimisation, but it may lack the same level of flexibility and adaptability as hyperautomation. IPA solutions may focus more on specific use cases or tasks rather than providing comprehensive end-to-end automation.
Human-machine collaboration
Hyperautomation emphasises human-machine collaboration, freeing up employees to focus on higher-value tasks, while automation handles repetitive and mundane activities. It recognises the importance of augmenting human capabilities with automation technologies to drive innovation and productivity.
While IPA may also involve human-machine collaboration, it may not prioritise this aspect to the same extent as hyperautomation. IPA solutions often focus more on automating tasks using AI and ML technologies without necessarily emphasising the collaboration between humans and machines.
How does hyperautomation work?
We've already mentioned the various technologies hyperautomation utilises, but how do they relate to hyperautomation? And how does hyperautomation work as a whole?
Hyperautomation integrates these various advanced technologies and components to comprehensively automate and optimise business processes.
The key components and technologies that drive hyperautomation include:
RPA: RPA involves the deployment of software bots to automate repetitive, rules-based tasks. These bots interact with digital systems, applications and databases just like humans, performing tasks such as data entry, data extraction and form filling.
AI: AI technologies play a crucial role in hyperautomation by enabling machines to perform cognitive tasks, make decisions and learn from data. Machine learning algorithms, natural language processing (NLP), computer vision and predictive analytics are some examples of AI techniques used in hyperautomation.
ML: ML algorithms analyse large volumes of data to identify patterns, trends and insights, which can then be used to automate decision-making and optimise processes. ML algorithms are trained on historical data to improve their performance over time and make accurate predictions.
NLP: NLP allows machines to understand, interpret and generate human language. It’s used in hyperautomation to automate tasks such as document processing, sentiment analysis, chatbots and voice recognition, enabling more natural and intuitive human-machine interactions.
Process mining: Process mining involves analysing event logs and data from existing systems to gain insights into how processes are executed in reality. By identifying bottlenecks, inefficiencies and deviations from the intended process flow, process mining helps organisations optimise their processes for better performance.
Intelligent business process management suites (iBPMS): iBPMS platforms provide tools for modelling, executing, monitoring and optimising business processes. They often incorporate AI, RPA and other advanced technologies to automate and streamline end-to-end processes across departments and functions.
Integration is a critical aspect of hyperautomation, as it involves combining these technologies seamlessly to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
For example, RPA bots can be enhanced with AI capabilities to handle more complex tasks requiring cognitive reasoning and decision-making. ML algorithms can be integrated with process mining tools to identify patterns and optimise processes automatically.
What are the benefits of hyperautomation?
Hyperautomation technology leverages the synergies between AI, RPA and other advanced technologies to drive digital transformation and enable organisations to achieve higher productivity, agility and competitiveness.
Some of the critical benefits of hyperautomation include:
Increased efficiency
By automating repetitive and manual tasks, hyperautomation frees up valuable time and resources, allowing employees to focus on higher-value activities that require human creativity and critical thinking. This leads to improved productivity and faster turnaround times for processes.
Cost reduction
Hyperautomation helps organisations streamline operations and eliminate inefficiencies, resulting in significant cost savings. By automating tasks previously performed manually, organisations can reduce labour costs, minimise errors and optimise resource allocation.
Enhanced accuracy and compliance
Automation ensures higher accuracy and consistency in executing tasks, reducing the likelihood of errors and compliance violations. Hyperautomation can enforce adherence to regulations and standards by implementing automated checks and validations.
Scalability and flexibility
Hyperautomation enables organisations to scale their operations rapidly and quickly adapt to changing business requirements. By leveraging technologies such as AI and machine learning, hyperautomation can handle fluctuations in demand, process variations and new use cases without significant manual intervention.
Improved customer experience
Automation streamlines processes and reduces response times, improving overall customer experience. Whether it's faster customer service, more accurate order processing or personalised interactions, hyperautomation helps organisations meet and exceed customer expectations.
Innovation and competitive advantage
By automating routine tasks, hyperautomation frees up resources for innovation and strategic initiatives. Organisations can invest more time and effort into developing new products, services and business models, gaining a competitive edge in the market.
Data-driven insights
Hyperautomation generates valuable data and insights that can be used to drive informed decision-making and continuous improvement. By analysing process metrics, performance indicators and customer feedback, organisations can identify opportunities for optimisation and innovation.
Hyperautomation services bring significant strategic value to businesses by enabling them to achieve their overarching goals and objectives more effectively, including catalysing digital transformation through modernising outdated processes and systems.
Embracing hyperautomation technologies allows organisations to digitise operations, enhance agility and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The benefits of hyperautomation mean that businesses can make informed decisions and drive continuous improvement while mitigating risks and ensuring compliance with regulations and industry standards, thus safeguarding the organisation's reputation and financial stability.
Where can hyperautomation make an impact?
Hyperautomation can significantly impact various industries and functional areas where there are repetitive, rule-based tasks and processes that can benefit from automation and optimisation.
Some specific areas and sectors where hyperautomation can be particularly effective include:
Finance and accounting
Hyperautomation can streamline financial processes such as accounts payable/receivable, invoice processing, reconciliation and financial reporting. Automation of routine tasks such as data entry, transaction processing and compliance checks can improve accuracy, reduce errors and accelerate financial close cycles.
Human resource
In HR departments, hyperautomation can automate repetitive tasks such as employee onboarding/offboarding, payroll processing, benefits administration and performance management. Chatbots powered by NLP can also enhance employee self-service, answering common queries and providing support.
Customer service and support
Hyperautomation can revolutionise customer service and support functions by automating ticket routing, response generation, issue resolution and customer feedback analysis. AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants can provide round-the-clock support, handle routine inquiries and escalate complex issues to human agents when necessary.
Healthcare
In the healthcare sector, hyperautomation can streamline administrative tasks such as patient scheduling, billing and coding, claims processing and medical record management. AI-powered diagnostic tools can also enhance clinical decision-making, improve patient outcomes and accelerate medical research.
Manufacturing and production
Hyperautomation can optimise manufacturing processes by automating production scheduling, quality control, equipment maintenance and inventory management. Industrial IoT devices and sensors can collect real-time data, enabling predictive maintenance and minimising downtime.
Implementing hyperautomation in a DMS
Hyperautomation can be implemented into a document management system to automate routine document processing tasks such as data entry, workflow automation, document indexing and file organisation.
Learn more about Document Management.
