Mastering Enterprise Automation: Your Essential Guide to Success in the GenAI Era

Workflows and business processes are evolving at a faster rate than in the past. Driven by the growing demand for adaptability and assistance with hybrid work environments, digital transformation has bestowed upon businesses a new array of competitive benefits. Being able to understand such advances is crucial for organisations hoping to participate in the new economy, since GenAI is predicted to enable automation for about 70% of corporate tasks and bring trillions to the global economy.

Reaching this requires implementing enterprise automation smoothly and thoroughly as well as delving deeper into the topic. But it's a complicated procedure that's always customised to the unique requirements of a certain business. We have developed this comprehensive guide that outlines the most important corporate automation so that leaders and executives can have a better understanding.

Why concentrate on automation for enterprises?

Even though business professionals frequently discuss enterprise process automation, adoption of automation within companies is not as ubiquitous as it first appears. As to the 2023 Forrester survey, a mere 8% of corporate executives offered process automation onboarding to their staff, despite roughly 71% of organisations acknowledging end-to-end automation. This suggests that process optimisation techniques remain ambiguous and unclear.

Although the rate of adoption has increased due to the introduction of AI, approximately 40% of organisations studying AI have not progressed past the trial phase, despite nearly 42% of firms admitting to deploying AI technology for their business. Furthermore, just 30% of businesses who made the decision to implement automation for their operations stated that they were 50% through with their process transformation.

Why focus on enterprise automation?

Despite enterprise workflow automation being a popular subject of discussion in the business world, the adoption of automation across enterprises is not as widespread as it initially seems. According to the 2023 Forrester report, while nearly 71% of organizations acknowledged end-to-end automation, only 8% of business leaders provided process automation onboarding for their employees, which implies that process optimization strategies are still vague and lack clarity. While the emergence of AI has accelerated the adoption rate, with nearly 42% of enterprises admitting to implementing AI technology for their business, almost 40% of organizations exploring AI still haven't gotten past their experimentation phase. In addition, only 30% of enterprises determined to adopt automation for their business reported being 50% done with their process transformation.

The reasons for such a slow pace vary, from data complexity to ethical concerns, but for potential enterprise automation adopters and companies on the way to automation maturity, there is a window of opportunity.

There is a window of opportunity for businesses on the path to automation maturity as well as prospective corporate automation adopters, notwithstanding the slow pace that can be attributed to a variety of factors, including ethical issues and data complexity.

There is advantage to be gained when rivals show caution or continue to refine their strategy for corporate process automation

Lower running expenses

Enterprise automation enables cost optimisation and reallocates resources to support people in value-focused activities because its primary goals are to eliminate duplication of effort and expedite labor-intensive processes. The CapEx and OpEx ratios benefit from such an enhancement.

Acknowledgment of the potential of employees

Against a widely held but untrue belief, the goal of corporate process automation is to support rather than replace workers throughout the company.

The development, stability, and resilience of the enterprise will continue to be primarily driven by the human factor. The goal of corporate automation progress is to give human professionals a platform to develop their talents more easily and quickly.

Improved calibre

The most annoying thing about doing repetitious activities by hand is the potential for human error. Enterprise robotic process automation is the ideal solution to the problem, since these errors are typically caused by the sheer amount of repetitive jobs and personnel attempting to maintain concentration on more pertinent duties. Because it is rule-based, it can cover process execution flawlessly and produce reliable, high-quality outputs without requiring additional control or double-checking.

Fulfilling the expectations of the client

The changing expectations of customers now include enterprise automation. Customers are becoming accustomed to the mobility and process acceleration made possible by technological innovation, and they anticipate receiving the same calibre of service from every business they deal with. Business executives see these expectations as a call for more openness at all client interaction levels and quicker response times and query processing. Enterprise process automation is essential to maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction, whether it is through conversational AI to handle the majority of queries or by guaranteeing that trained specialists are accessible to individually address client wants.

In the end, an automated enterprise isn't one in which AI and robotics manage every procedure. Employers there successfully reach new productivity benchmarks and acquire more options for flexible time management because most of the chores and procedures that before consumed their working hours are now completed.

An automated business is more resilient and offers more chances to find new sources of income, absorb innovations, utilise them swiftly, and expand them throughout divisions.

How can one develop a plan for enterprise automation?

The primary objective of a business automation plan extends beyond merely delineating the components and procedures of automating enterprise process. It is necessary to comprehend the anticipated impact and the competitive advantage that the change should deliver.

Realizing the value and impact is a flexible and dynamic process often adjusted with every iteration made. Due to this, executives also need to equip a proactive and value-oriented mindset as they start shaping their enterprise process automation vision.

1) Determine the impact zone

The most difficult aspect of enterprise automation is usually getting started, mostly because decision-makers and stakeholders must identify the areas that need to be improved, which can be difficult if they don't know what to look for. However, like with any digital transformation path, certain patterns may highlight areas where the department needs to optimise.

• An increase in the number of needless operational duties

An indicator that an organisation needs process automation is the increasing amount of simple yet time-consuming processes occurring in different departments. The frequency of too burdensome jobs indicates that there may be unnecessary procedures that may be eliminated, freeing up employees' working hours for more meaningful endeavours.

Identifying excessive operational tasks requires exploration and communication. For instance, a COO needs to gather feedback from the relevant department, surveying employees on what they believe could be improved, what takes most of their time, and what tasks they would rather focus on (if freed from repetitive processes). Their insights, complete with the report on total time spent on various relevant activities, can provide executives with the necessary perspective and reveal the value of optimizing certain department workflows.

Process mining is particularly helpful for this task because it reveals many insights managers can overlook, such as state and variations of the process as well as the areas that can be automated.

• Time spent on analytical work

Departments involved in analysis have the potential to be the most rewarding automation candidates. However, to determine this, executives need to be aware of the steps and hours taken by the analytical work and the sheer volumes of data to be analyzed. The larger the enterprise is, the more information its departments have to process and the more time they invest in it.

In some cases, departments try to streamline that flow through third-party means and tools—which is a clear sign they could greatly benefit from custom enterprise automation solutions.

It’s worth noting that discovering the need for enterprise process automation is merely the beginning of identifying potential automation candidates.

While such an approach gives executives a clear understanding of the value they can glean from process optimization, further analysis benefits from enriching it with the perspective and expertise of vetted automation experts.

2) Determine the impact zone

After determining the region that corporate process automation may affect, the following stage is to bring ideas and reality together. The entire workflow doesn't need to be optimised at once for business workflow automation to be successful—that would require an enormous amount of work and money.

It is therefore essential for adopters and decision-makers to envision the extent of their work over the course of two years and allocate their resources appropriately.

• Determine the automation candidates and their magnitude.

Business executives must have a list of possible candidates ready, with all the hidden parameters included (such load, frequency, repetitiveness, etc.), regardless of the number of major enterprise processes or many massive tasks involved. Understanding the latter is necessary to create a realistic and productive strategy as it paints a clearer picture of the entire scope.

• Think about using an iterative method.

Executives must decide whether portion of the process can be automated in order to produce measurable outcomes that meet reasonable value expectations, as it is not required to automate the entire process.

Automating an enterprise process in parts (iterations) is an extremely useful and essential practice in the context of a long-term enterprise automation strategy. It enables the delivery of immediate value to the department and gathers insightful feedback from the stakeholders, which will lie at the core of the next iteration. As a result, it allows to minimize friction and resistance while collecting relevant and important information from end users.   

• Evaluate ROI

When calculating the potential return on investment (ROI), some decision-makers make the mistake of focusing on the profit they will get right after implementing the first iteration, overlooking the potential income that can be generated over the entire estimated period. Thus, they may end up having unrealistic expectations based on insufficient insights.

3) Communicate with stakeholders

Enterprise process automation always involves communication with stakeholders, i.e., representatives of departments who have specific needs, concerns, and expectations regarding the upcoming transformation—as well as the timelines within which they anticipate results.

It’s not uncommon for decision-makers and enterprise workflow automation teams to engage with over 15 stakeholders at the same time to ensure seamless cross-department communication. After all, even if the change is implemented for just one or two departments, it’s crucial to keep stakeholders in the loop regarding how process optimization is going to impact the enterprise.

To ensure that these stakeholders become the greatest supporters of enterprise process automation and assist with minimizing adoption resistance, decision-makers need to keep them engaged in every step, aware of the value they're receiving right now, and invested in the potential advantages they can gain from transformation.

4) Plan out the infrastructure

Enterprise workflow automation must be done with scalability and agility in mind, which means that everything executed on the company level should represent that priority. 

5) Deal with security-related issues

Everyone must be able to use enterprise automation safely. As a result, it needs a detailed plan outlining how private information (PII and PIA) will be handled inside the new framework as well as how it will be kept or erased.

Enterprise automation teams and decision-makers must also be aware of the security guidelines and interplay across various enterprise settings, as well as the location of such data storage. Considerations include service account authorization and multi-factor authentication.

6) Assist the corporate automation group.

The enterprise automation plan as a whole is infused with this phase, which is working in tandem with automation experts from the very beginning.

Executives and the teams responsible for automating processes need to have a clear understanding of the cadence so that they can assign tasks and be cognizant of each other's obligations.

From the perspective of decision-makers interacting with intelligent automation partner teams, enterprise workflow automation is a matter of finding the right team and bringing it the right goals.

As a result, it appears that developing and implementing enterprise automation solutions will be simple:

1) DISCOVERY

As decision-makers become aware of the need for process optimizations, they start contacting experts who can develop their concept into unique corporate automation software.

2) APPROVAL

To verify the efficacy of the presumed solution, the automation team conducts a discovery session with the decision-maker and involves stakeholders. The team analyses the presumed solution's capacity to address the decision-maker's highlighted pain points and areas for improvement.

3) SOLUTION DESIGN

After solidifying the solution concept, the team proceeds to the design phase. This phase considers everything discussed within the discovery and validation phase—from conditions and volume of tasks to the specifics of scaling and the enterprise.

4) SOLUTION DEVELOPMENT

The solution development process genuinely depends on the specifics of the department it is meant for—which is why stakeholder participation and end user feedback are crucial for this stage.

5) SOLUTION DEPLOYMENT

The success of deployment largely depends on the quality of synchronization between the solution's capabilities and stakeholders' expectations. The more stakeholders are involved in strategy development and aware of the value, the smoother the deployment process will go.

7) Use process mining to set a high standard.

It's also critical to keep in mind that corporate automation is an ongoing project. Because businesses are dynamic rather than static, a variety of factors may have an impact on them and alter their performance. Executives must therefore closely monitor their productivity and company procedures.

This is the point at which process mining stops being a useful tool for maintaining and tracking efficiency. Process mining tools are highly effective at continuously enhancing automated workflows, while being most frequently linked to the discovery stage of corporate process analysis, whereby "as is" and "to be" are distinguished.

How can I locate the top software for enterprise automation?

The way an enterprise automation project is approached has a significant impact on its productivity and return on investment. Poor performance and unsatisfactory results might arise from approaching business workflow automation as a one-time operation or ignoring stakeholder needs.

Additionally, picking the cheapest product available or reading evaluations of enterprise automation software is insufficient. Real transformation begins with a carefully thought-out plan that fits the advancement and value that executives wish to see for their company. Following their finding, they can sketch out a plan, get it verified by reputable automation specialists, and implement it in close coordination with the relevant departments.

At Cysparks , we have a vast experience of mapping, creating, and executing value-oriented enterprise automation strategies for our clients. Equipped with deep domain expertise, acute awareness of the enterprise landscape, and experience of working with A-list global companies, our intelligent automation CoE enables smooth implementation of complex enterprise automation solutions.

If you’re ready to go from ideating to validating and implementing, let’s chat! With a gallery of successful enterprise automation projects, our teams can provide an exclusive and insights-rich perspective on your workflow automation needs, assisting you with your goals and ensuring a smooth and flawless deployment.

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FAQS

1. What exactly is enterprise automation?

• Enterprise automation refers to the use of technology to streamline and automate business processes within an organization. It involves the use of software tools and technologies to automate repetitive tasks, improve efficiency, and reduce manual intervention.

1. Why is enterprise automation important?

• Enterprise automation is important because it helps organizations improve productivity, reduce costs, minimize errors, and accelerate decision-making. By automating routine tasks and workflows, businesses can free up valuable time and resources to focus on more strategic initiatives.

1. What are the key benefits of enterprise automation?

• The key benefits of enterprise automation include increased efficiency, cost savings, improved accuracy, faster decision-making, enhanced customer satisfaction, and scalability. Automation allows businesses to do more with less and adapt quickly to changing market conditions.

1. What are some common examples of enterprise automation?

• Common examples of enterprise automation include robotic process automation (RPA), workflow automation, data integration and migration, document management, customer relationship management (CRM) automation, and supply chain automation.

1. How does artificial intelligence (AI) play a role in enterprise automation?

• AI plays a crucial role in enterprise automation by enabling machines to learn from data, recognize patterns, and make decisions without human intervention. AI-powered technologies such as machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision can automate complex tasks and improve process efficiency.

1. What are the challenges of implementing enterprise automation?

• Some of the challenges of implementing enterprise automation include resistance to change, lack of expertise and resources, integration issues with existing systems, data security concerns, and the need for cultural transformation within the organization.

1. How can businesses identify opportunities for automation within their organization?

• Businesses can identify opportunities for automation by conducting a thorough analysis of their existing processes, identifying repetitive tasks and bottlenecks, seeking input from employees, and leveraging tools such as process mining and workflow analytics.

1. What are the steps involved in developing an enterprise automation strategy?

• Developing an enterprise automation strategy involves identifying goals and objectives, assessing current processes and technologies, prioritizing automation opportunities, selecting appropriate tools and technologies, designing workflows, testing and deploying solutions, and continuously monitoring and optimizing performance.

1. How can businesses ensure the success of their enterprise automation initiatives?

• Businesses can ensure the success of their enterprise automation initiatives by gaining buy-in from stakeholders, providing training and support to employees, setting realistic goals and expectations, measuring and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

1. What role does employee training and upskilling play in enterprise automation?

• Employee training and upskilling are essential components of successful enterprise automation initiatives. By providing employees with the necessary skills and knowledge to work with automated systems, businesses can maximize the benefits of automation and minimize resistance to change.

1. What are the ethical considerations associated with enterprise automation?

• Ethical considerations associated with enterprise automation include concerns about job displacement, data privacy and security, bias in AI algorithms, and the potential for misuse of automated systems. Businesses must address these concerns proactively and implement safeguards to mitigate risks.

1. How can businesses measure the return on investment (ROI) of enterprise automation?

• Businesses can measure the ROI of enterprise automation by calculating cost savings, productivity gains, revenue growth, customer satisfaction improvements, and other tangible benefits. It's essential to track KPIs before and after implementation to assess the impact of automation accurately.

1. What are some best practices for implementing enterprise automation?

• Some best practices for implementing enterprise automation include starting small and scaling gradually, involving stakeholders early in the process, prioritizing quick wins, maintaining flexibility and adaptability, and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

1. What industries can benefit most from enterprise automation?

• Virtually any industry can benefit from enterprise automation, but some industries that stand to gain the most include manufacturing, healthcare, finance, retail, logistics, and telecommunications. Any business with repetitive tasks or data-driven processes can benefit from automation.

1. How can businesses ensure data security and compliance when implementing enterprise automation?

• Businesses can ensure data security and compliance by implementing robust security protocols, encrypting sensitive data, restricting access to authorized users, conducting regular audits and assessments, and complying with relevant regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA.

1. What role does cloud computing play in enterprise automation?

• Cloud computing plays a significant role in enterprise automation by providing scalable infrastructure, on-demand resources, and access to advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning. Cloud-based automation solutions offer flexibility, agility, and cost-effectiveness.

1. How does enterprise automation impact job roles and skill requirements within an organization?

• Enterprise automation can impact job roles by eliminating some repetitive tasks and creating new opportunities for employees to focus on higher-value activities such as decision-making, creativity, and problem-solving. It may require employees to acquire new technical skills or adapt to new ways of working.

1. What are some potential risks and pitfalls of enterprise automation?

• Some potential risks and pitfalls of enterprise automation include overreliance on technology, loss of human touch in customer interactions, increased vulnerability to cyber threats, regulatory compliance issues, and resistance from employees who fear job loss or displacement.

1. How can businesses ensure the sustainability and longevity of their enterprise automation initiatives?

• Businesses can ensure the sustainability and longevity of their enterprise automation initiatives by fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, investing in ongoing training and development, regularly evaluating and updating processes and technologies, and staying abreast of emerging trends and technologies.

1. How can businesses stay competitive in the GenAI era without enterprise automation?

• In the GenAI era, businesses that fail to embrace enterprise automation risk falling behind their competitors in terms of efficiency, productivity, and innovation. To stay competitive, businesses must leverage automation to optimize processes, reduce costs, and deliver superior products and services to customers.