Automation is the way of the future! 97% of businesses believe that automation is important to their future success. Major companies like Gartner are embracing automation and encouraging small businesses and start-ups to use automated technology and processes.
If you’re interested in automation but unsure where to begin, you can start with automation trends. Gartner has produced a few papers this year that discuss IT automation trends that they think will matter over the next few years. Here’s what you should know about automation trends for your business today.
Related: Axe Automation Features
Digital-First Initiatives
Digital-first initiatives date back to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies reliant on physical interactions and experiences developed digital-first initiatives to stay in operation during the shutdowns. Museums launched virtual reality programs allowing guests to view their collections without entering their spaces.
As time passes, digital-first initiatives will become more commonplace because they increase client bases and provide additional revenue streams. They also make customers’ lives easier, as they don’t need to leave their houses to get basic services. They can use videoconferencing software to talk to their doctors or VR headsets to conduct business meetings and tours of properties they want to buy.
Automation relates to digital-first initiatives in a few ways. It can help you brainstorm new digital-first initiatives, letting you develop ideas and workflows that move initiatives and products into the marketplace. Automated tools like Zapier can help you perform initiatives sooner by connecting apps and services together. Automated tools can promote your company brand by making you seem knowledgeable about the latest technology. If you need help using Zapier, you can order Zapier consulting from automation professionals who can give you access to the latest tools and trends in automation.
Internet of Behaviors
This year, Gartner introduced the term “Internet of Behaviors” (IoB). The term and automation trend refers to programs and services that help companies understand how customers use technology to make purchasing decisions. For example, a company that makes toys may use automated IoB tools to create sales reports on their toys. If they notice a toy is doing well, they may increase the sales price and speed up the manufacturing process to produce more products.
IoB is a very new concept, but it’s already gained popularity as a Gartner intelligent automation trend. You should look for automated tools that help you conduct product research and gather information about your customers. You can connect various tools to Google Sheets and make spreadsheets with your latest sales figures, helping you see what products sell the best.
Automated cloud tools can be extremely helpful for IoB operations. You can use Azure for Microsoft technology and tools and Google Cloud Platform for Google platforms. Ensure that your cloud is shared with all team members so everyone has access to all of the company information.
Do you need assistance planning digital-first initiatives with IoB technology? Book a call with Axe Automation today, and we’ll help you figure out how to incorporate automation into your business operations.
Digital Wall
Gartner also introduced the term “digital wall” this year. This term refers to how companies must keep pace with their competitors and customers and test out new technology. A company's current technology will eventually hit a wall, lose functionality, and stop being useful for the company. Gartner believes that by 2025, most traditional computing technologies will hit a wall and require companies to try new paradigms.
The digital wall may be coming soon, but one year is plenty of time for you to experiment. Neuromorphic computing is a new form of computer engineering that many companies are looking at. Engineers develop computer systems based on models of the human brain, using electronic impulses to send signals to hardware and software. Neuromorphic technology includes artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning applications.
If you haven’t started investing in AI yet, you should. The AI industry is expected to increase in value by over 13 times during the next seven years, reaching almost $300 billion by 2026. Salesforce Einstein has machine learning algorithms that help you predict customer behaviors and gather data. You can use it to overcome the digital wall and bolster your IoB operations. If you’re worried about the digital wall, take an automation quiz that helps you see how you can automate your company and scale your operations.
Hyperautomation
Many companies cut their overall spending during the pandemic but increased their spending on digital transformation and automated tools. Hyperautomation refers to how companies build off their previously acquired automated tools to streamline operations further.
Artificial intelligence is one way to achieve hyperautomation. Robotic process automation can help you build and manage software robots. The robots can emulate how your customers use your website, software, and digital systems, helping you design better products. You can also hyperautomate your manufacturing process, using robots to assemble and test products.
CAOs
Chief automation officers (CAOs) oversee the acquisition of automated tools, deploy automation, and manage corporate campaigns that require automation. Your company may have a chief information officer (CIO) overseeing your automation campaigns. Having them work on automation is okay, but hiring a CAO can allow your CIO to turn to other efforts, like improving your cybersecurity. You should still ask your CIO to consult with your CAO regularly, and your CIO should help with their onboarding process, introducing your CAO to your team’s IT professionals.
Your CAO should be on your corporate board and have their own office. They should educate the executive board and other high-level staffers about the latest business process automation trends and technologies, especially AI and machine learning. They should brainstorm ideas and help with digital-first initiatives whenever possible. They should also test automated tools regularly and see how they help customer experiences.
Your company should invest in an IT team who can assist your CAO. Give your team access to your business information, including sales figures and case studies, so they can use automated trends that relate directly to your corporate operations. Cloud servers are an easy way of allowing your CAO and IT professionals to share information with each other while working in different locations. You can also use tools like Make.com that all of your team members have access to, letting everyone automate multi-step processes and integrate apps with each other.
Related: Make.com Consulting
The Rise of Low-Code and No-Code Platforms
In 2023, the technological landscape is being transformed by the rising significance of low-code and no-code platforms. These platforms have emerged as pivotal tools in both tech-centric and traditional businesses, primarily because they democratize the creation and deployment of software solutions. This trend is driven by the increasing need for rapid development and deployment of applications without the necessity of deep coding expertise. As a result, professionals across various sectors are finding it feasible to implement customized solutions, enhancing operational efficiency and fostering innovation. This shift is not just technological but also cultural, encouraging a more inclusive and collaborative approach in problem-solving within organizations. The adoption of these platforms is expected to escalate as more businesses seek to empower their workforce with tools that simplify complex processes and foster a culture of self-sufficiency and agility.
Mainstream Adoption of Generative AI
Generative AI is poised to be a major trend in 2023, driven by its ability to create new, original content from existing datasets using advanced AI algorithms and machine learning techniques. This technology is remarkably versatile, finding applications in diverse areas such as software development, image processing, drug development, and organizational growth strategies. The appeal of Generative AI lies in its capacity to analyze and learn from vast quantities of data, whether it's text, audio, or visual content, and then produce something entirely new and useful. This capability is particularly valuable in industries where innovation and rapid development are key to staying competitive. As the technology continues to mature, it is expected to unlock new potentials, making it an indispensable tool in the automation toolkit of businesses. It's not just about the efficiency gains; Generative AI is also reshaping how creative and analytical tasks are approached, leading to more innovative outcomes.
Related: Top AI and Automation Agency
Collaborative Robots Transforming Workspaces
The advent of collaborative robots, or 'cobots,' is set to redefine the traditional workspace in 2023. These robots are designed to interact and work alongside human colleagues in shared environments, enhancing productivity and safety. From performing heavy lifting tasks in warehouses to executing precision-based activities on assembly lines, cobots are proving to be invaluable assets in a variety of settings. This integration is indicative of a broader shift towards a more collaborative approach between humans and machines, optimizing efficiency while maintaining a human-centric workplace. The adoption of cobots is gaining momentum across industries, with significant implications for labor dynamics and workplace safety. As these robots become more sophisticated and affordable, their deployment is expected to increase, leading to innovative work practices and a reimagining of the role of automation in professional settings.
Continuous Testing in DevOps CI/CD Automation
DevOps, with its emphasis on continuous integration and delivery, has become indispensable for businesses aiming to deliver high-quality software swiftly. In 2023, continuous automated testing is set to take center stage in DevOps CI/CD automation. This involves the use of intelligent automation tools to test software at each development stage, enhancing the overall quality and ensuring that issues are identified and resolved promptly. This focus on constant testing is crucial in maintaining the rapid pace of development that DevOps promises, while also guaranteeing that the final product is robust and reliable. As businesses continue to adopt DevOps methodologies, the role of continuous automated testing will become more critical, shaping how software development processes are structured and executed.
Augmented Intelligence: Enhancing Human-Cognitive Performance
Augmented intelligence is emerging as a key trend, combining the capabilities of artificial intelligence with human intelligence to enhance cognitive performance. This collaborative approach between humans and AI-powered systems is revolutionizing how data, both structured and unstructured, is collected and analyzed. In 2023, platforms utilizing augmented intelligence are expected to become more prevalent, offering businesses powerful tools to make more informed decisions, automate complex tasks, and derive meaningful insights from large volumes of data. The integration of augmented intelligence in business processes is not just about automating tasks; it's about augmenting human capabilities, leading to more efficient and effective outcomes.
Natural Language Processing and Conversational AI in Intelligent Automation
The adoption of Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology and conversational AI is gaining momentum as a part of the intelligent automation toolkit. These technologies are enabling businesses to create more intuitive and interactive systems, enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency. NLP and conversational AI are particularly effective in automating customer service tasks, providing real-time assistance, and facilitating more natural interactions between humans and machines. As businesses continue to explore the potential of intelligent automation, the integration of NLP and conversational AI tools is expected to open up new opportunities, driving innovation and improving competitiveness.
Intelligent Automation Adoption in SMBs
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly embracing intelligent automation to optimize processes and enhance competitiveness. With more affordable and accessible automation solutions available in the market, SMBs can leverage these technologies to improve customer service, reduce costs, and drive business growth. This trend is particularly significant as it represents a shift in the availability and applicability of advanced technologies to smaller businesses, enabling them to compete more effectively in the digital age.
Does robotic process automation sound interesting? Contact robotic process automation agency professionals with Axe Automation, and we’ll help you set up your automated processes.
Sustainable Automation through Process Assessment and Discovery
In 2023, companies are focusing on adopting and scaling intelligent automation in a sustainable manner. Assessment frameworks and process discovery are providing actionable insights, enabling businesses to prioritize processes, make informed decisions, and create an efficient automated production pipeline. This approach to sustainable automation is not only enhancing efficiency but also promoting advancement and resilience in an ever-changing business environment.
Embracing the Future: Navigating the Automation Revolution
The automation trends of 2023 signify a major shift in how businesses operate and innovate. From the adoption of low-code/no-code platforms, the growth of generative AI, to the integration of collaborative robots, these advancements are redefining efficiency and creativity in the workplace. Alongside developments in DevOps, augmented intelligence, and NLP, these trends are empowering businesses of all sizes, particularly SMBs, to embrace digital transformation. As we move forward, these evolving technologies in automation are poised to shape the future of business, enhancing productivity and driving innovative solutions. Ready to harness these trends for your business? Contact Axe Automation today and embark on your journey towards transformative automation success.
