What is Automation?

The application of technology, programs, robotics or processes to achieve outcomes with minimal human input. Automation is the use of technology to perform tasks with where human input is minimized. This includes enterprise applications such as business process automation (BPA), IT automation, network automation, automating integration between systems, industrial automation such as robotics, and consumer applications such as home automation and more.

Types of automation

Basic automation

Basic or task automation takes simple, repetitive tasks and automates them. This level of automation is about digitizing work by using automation to streamline and centralize routine tasks, such as using a shared messaging system instead of having information in disconnected silos. This helps eliminate errors, accelerate the pace of transactional work, and free up people’s time to do higher value, more meaningful work. Robotic process automation (RPA) is an example of basic automation.

Process automation

Process automation takes more complex and repeatable, multi-step processes by integrating with multiple systems and automates them. This level of automation manages business and IT processes for uniformity and transparency. Using process automation can increase productivity and efficiency within your business. It can also deliver new insights into business and IT challenges and suggest solutions using rules-based decisioning. Process mining and workflow automation and Business process management (BPM) are examples of process automation.

Intelligent automation

The most advanced level of automation is intelligent automation. It combines automation with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities. This means that machines that automations can continuously “learn” and make enable better decision making and actions based on data from past situations they have encountered and analyzed. For example, in customer service, virtual assistants powered by AI/ML can reduce costs while empowering both customers and human agents, creating an optimal customer service experience. AIOps and digital workers are examples of intelligent automation.