Hyperautomation Use Cases
FountainBlue's October 13 VIP Roundtable was on the topic of 'Hyperautomation Use Cases'. Our executives in attendance represented a wide range of backgrounds, industries and experiences. Below is a summary of their thoughts.
Per Gartner: Hyperautomation is a business-driven, disciplined approach that organizations use to rapidly identify, vet and automate as many business and IT processes as possible. Hyperautomation involves the orchestrated use of multiple technologies, tools or platforms, including: artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, event-driven software architecture, robotic process automation (RPA), business process management (BPM) and intelligent business process management suites (iBPMS), integration platform as a service (iPaaS), low-code/no-code tools, packaged software, and other types of decision, process and task automation tools.
Extending beyond that definition, our executives commented that hyperautomation offers significant benefits including:
It's easier to leverage hyperautomation to deliver 'high-volume, low-mix' solutions, but more challenging to deliver 'low-volume, high-mix' solutions. However, 'low-volume, high-mix' solutions will be in increasing demand, and can offer premium up-sides for revenues earned for vendors as well as value provided for customers.
Many companies are already leveraging a combination of robots, AI, Generative AI, machine learning and sensors in their day-to-day operations. The challenge is to continue optimizing the integrations so that the solutions are high impact *and* high quality, reliably delivered, as well as cost-effective.
Hyperautomation practices are now used not just to improve efficiencies and operations, but even now to facilitate innovation. For example, hyperaumation can quickly conduct trial-and-error experimentation on combinations of tools, processes and technologies to address specific scenarios.
Below is advice for embracing hyperautomation practices.
Hyperautomation solutions will be more heavily adopted, and companies need to continue to embrace them to remain competitive.
Focus on the specific needs, understand the metrics for success, and experiment with small batches.
Employ hyperautomation practices to address predictive maintenance needs.
Leverage 3D printing and 3D modeling to create tighter loops while conducting trial-and-error experiments.
Leverage simulation and automation tools on a range of scenarios so that you can make plans before going into production.
Leverage digital twins to record, monitor and even conduct root cause analysis.
Invite creative, out-of-the-box options as you create a hyperautomation solution.
Below are thoughts on the role of humans as we increasingly embrace hyperautomation practices:
Provide a detailed perspective on the purpose of the hyperautomation, including the stakeholders involved and the metrics for success.
Clearly define the 'guardrails' for what will be automated, what (product, team, technology, etc.,) is involved, who is involved, what resources are available, as well as milestones and timelines, etc.,
Understand the types of vectors (cost, revenues customer, technology, resources, etc.,) and the rankings for these vectors as you evaluate difference hyperautomation options.
Consider additional use cases for the selected hyperautomation option, as well as the learnings.
Ensure that the hyperautomation solution is in alignment with corporate strategy, mission, vision and values, as well as to market trends and customer needs.
Communicate the value of the selected solution and engage internal and external stakeholders in successful integration and delivery.
Use judgment and wisdom to help ensure hyperautomation solutions are safe, even to the point of developing functional safety standards.
We closed the discussion talking about the opportunities ahead as there's an increased cadence for global innovation.
There's an opportunity for experts to become agents of change.
There's an opportunity for us to work together to solve higher-order problems such as climate change.
There's an opportunity to build an ecosystem and the infrastructure we need to better thrive together.
But challenges remain.
How can we as individuals, as organizations, as industries, help more people position themselves to participate and benefit from these solutions?
What can we all do together to put safeguards in place and focus on delivering the greater good, leveraging hyperautomation solution?
What will YOU do together by yourself or collectively to make a difference?