Named the #1 Strategic Technology Trend of 2020 by Gartner, “hyperautomation” is the tech topic of the year.
Businesses in various industries are following this new trend to achieve a true digital transformation. As Gartner put it, we are on “the cusp of moving beyond augmentation that replaces a human capability and into augmentation that creates superhuman capabilities.”
Now, the idea of developing superhuman capabilities within your business processes is surely enticing and worth exploring. However, there are some questions to address before diving into implementation. You’re still probably asking yourself what is hyperautomation and how does it work?
Fortunately, this blog post is going to answer just that.
How is Hyperautomation Different from “Automation”?
To fully comprehend what hyperautomation is, you need to understand how it differs from automation. Traditional automation focuses on the digitization of singular tasks. With hyperautomation, the lanes of automation merge into a highway of autonomous technological solutions. It’s a big promise, but one for which the tools are already in place.
Automation replaces once-human tasks with technological solutions, but “hyper” automation goes a step further. It combines traditional automation with intelligent technologies – such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) – to create a more sophisticated level of automation that can learn and evolve.
Put another way, hyperautomation is automated automation. Meta-automation, if you will. Or autonomous automation. Whatever you call it, hyperautomation is the next frontier of digital transformation.
Not only does this technology automate mundane tasks, it dynamically searches for business processes that can and should be automated. It autonomously develops and implements technological solutions so you can achieve optimum productivity.
How does Hyperautomation Work?
Now that you have an idea of what hyperautomation is, let’s explore how it works.
To understand how hyperautomation works, think of it as an extension of your legacy business process automation that marries AI tools with robotic process automation (RPA). This connection creates a team of interlocking technologies that replace the need for human intervention.
And while this concept is still new, it’s spreading quickly.
Combining AI with RPA empowers your technology to analyze current processes and optimize where opportunities exist. To implement hyperautomation, you will need:
- Robotic process automation (RPA) software
- Artificial intelligent capabilities like machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), intelligent optical character recognition (OCR), etc.
- Analytics from which intelligent technology can learn
- Integration capabilities between automated and intelligent platforms
Most likely, you already have some form of AI and RPA within your organization. The next step is integrating these two systems, which can often result in the creation of a “digital twin.”
What is a Digital Twin of the Organization (DTO)?
Since a “digital twin” is a common outcome of hyperautomation, understanding the term is crucial in comprehending what hyperautomation is, and how it works.
Gartner defines a digital twin as: “A software design pattern that represents a physical object with the objective of understanding the asset’s state, responding to changes, improving business operations and adding value.”
Think of a Digital Twin of the Organization (DTO) as a virtual model of your business. It shows previously unseen structures and relationships between processes, KPIs, and more. While a DTO is often a byproduct – as opposed to a goal – of hyperautomation, it can provide your company with insightful, real-time data about your organization.
Choose Wisely When Investing in Automation
Now that you have a good idea of what hyperautomation is and how it works, you need to learn how to implement it in your organization. One of the major requirements is interconnectivity between your current business process automation systems. You may already utilize some form of RPA and AI technology; the trick is getting these platforms to collaborate.
If you’re unsure how to approach hyperautomation, it’s best to work with a qualified partner on developing and implementing a strategic automation plan. Hyperautomation is unique to each organization. Current processes, KPIs, goals, and more will all influence how this technology should be utilized in your business. An experienced partner can help you ensure that you establish a well thought out plan and invest in the correct solutions.
At MetaSource, we have decades of experience in finding the right automated solutions for our clients. We have a suite of available business process solutions and deep expertise in developing automation plans. Our team can guide you in the process of implementing the right strategies for your organization.