Tools for Intelligent Automation

Quiz

Read this chapter to get an understanding of some of the popular tools for intelligent automation. Intelligent automation tools are nothing but software or technology platforms designed and used to automate, streamline, optimize, and improve workflows and processes within a business organization. These tools basically combine automation functionalities with artificial intelligence.

The primary functions of intelligent automation tools are to automate repetitive, low-value tasks, improve operational efficiency, and reduce costs involved in business operations. Let's have a detailed discussion on some of the key tools widely used for intelligent automation.

Classification of Intelligent Automation Tools

Intelligent automation tools can be broadly classified into the following main categories −

Enterprise Automation Platforms
Business Process Management (BPM) Tools
Workflow Management Software
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Tools
Process Intelligence Tools
Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) Software

Now, let us discuss each of these categories of intelligent automation tools in detail.

Enterprise Automation Platforms

Enterprise automation platforms provide a wide range of solutions to intelligent automation for automating and streamlining various processes across a business organization. These tools provide an integrated suite of multiple automation functionalities like process automation, workflow optimization, data analytics, etc. Hence, enterprise automation platforms create a complete framework for digitally transforming business operations.

The key functionalities that enterprise automation platforms provide to intelligent automation are as follows −

End-to-end process automation across different departments within the organization
Integrates multiple enterprise systems like ERP, CRM, etc.
Provides data-based insights for improvement, etc.

The following are some popular examples of enterprise automation platforms for intelligent automation −

UiPath − It is a suite of process automation tools that allows organizations to design workflows, and combine RPA, AI, and document processing to provide enhanced automation capabilities.
ProcessMaker − It is a suite of business process automation tools that combines AI and NLP, and allows businesses to automate their complex workflows without any coding requirements. It also provides robust dashboard and reporting functionalities.
Automation Anywhere − It is a global software company known for developing RPA software for business process automation. It provides cognitive automation tools and bots powered by AI and able to mimic human actions and conversations in intelligent automation.

Business Process Management Tools

BPM (Business Process Management) tools are designed and used to integrate intelligent automation in the field of process management. These tools provide capabilities to model, analyze, and optimize processes within a business organization. The primary goal of BPM tools is to enhance operational efficiency, improve regulatory compliance, and provide insights into workflows.

As a part of intelligent automation, the main functions that business process management tools perform include −

Modelling and visualization of workflows and processes
Automating processes that involve rule-based decision making
Providing continuous monitoring of workflows
Providing insights into processes for re-engineering or optimization, etc.

Some of the popular business process management tools used in intelligent automation are −

Bizagi − It is a BPM platform that provides process modeling and automation facilities.
Camunda − It is a process management tool that allows organizations to manage and automate their workflows and processes.
ARIS − It is a business process management platform developed by Software AG to provide process modeling, process analysis, and process management functionalities.

Workflow Management Software

Workflow management software are intelligent automation tools developed to design and manage task-specific workflows within a business organization. These tools provide capabilities to automate repetitive tasks, improve collaboration among teams, and reduce manual efforts and errors in business operations.

The key functionalities that workflow management software provide in intelligent automation include −

Provides drag-and-drop interface for workflow design
Automates and continuously tracks tasks
Provides seamless integration with third-party applications
Provides tools for team collaboration, etc.

The following are some popular workflow management software available to use in intelligent automation −

Com − It is a cloud-based workflow management software that provides functionalities for task management, team collaboration, workflow automation, time tracking, file sharing, etc.
Kissflow − It is also a workflow management platform that simplifies and streamlines workflow management and improves productivity. It helps organizations to keep their workflows organized.
Zapier − It is an automation tool that allows organizations to connect their applications with services. It also provides integration capabilities to connect multiple applications to automate repetitive tasks without need for coding.

Process Intelligence Tools

Process intelligence tools are those components of intelligent automation that use data and AI technologies to provide insights into how business processes actually run. These tools also provide information to enhance performance.

Process intelligence tools allows organizations to identify inefficiencies and issues in their business processes and provides insights to improve them.

Hence, the functionalities that process intelligent tools provide in intelligent automation are as follows −

Provides capabilities for process discovery
Allows to perform root cause analysis and track the process performance
Allows to perform predictive analytics
Provides real-time process optimization through automation, etc.

The following are some popular examples of process intelligence tools for intelligent automation −

Celonis − It is a popular process intelligence tool that helps organizations to optimize their business processes. It provides necessary functionalities for visualizing processes, identifying inefficiencies, and providing recommendations for improvements.
Fluxicon Disco − Disco is process mining tool developed by Fluxicon and used by business organizations to perform data mining and optimize processes.
SAP Signavio − It is also a process intelligence tool that organizations use to visualize and optimize their workflows.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Tools

RPA tools are designed and used to automate rule-based, repetitive tasks without human intervention. These tools use software robots to mimic human actions and provide the following key functionalities −

Allows to automate repetitive tasks with no-code, low-code features
Provides supports to process structured process data
Reduces errors and costs involved through automation, etc.

The following are some popular RPA tools used in intelligent automation −

Microsoft Power Automate − It is an RPA platform designed to automate repetitive tasks and processes.
Robocorp − Robocorp is an open-source RPA tool used for intelligent automation of repetitive tasks.
BluePrism − It is also an RPA tool that allows human workers and digital workforces work collaboratively through a combination of RPA and BPM functionalities.

Intelligent Document Processing Software

IDP software is an intelligent automation tool designed to automate document processing tasks. In intelligent automation, this software performs various functions like data extraction, data validation, and data interpretation. By automating document processing, IDP software improves the accuracy and efficiency in these operations.

An IDP software typically performs the following key functions in intelligent automation −

Extracts data from variety of documents by using OCR
Performs data classification and validation
Integrates data with robotic process automation and workflow management tools
Provides simplified document processing, etc.

Some of the widely used intelligent document processing software are as follows −

AI − It is one of the popular IDP software used in intelligent automation. Its operation is based on the natural language processing (NLP) for analyzing and processing unstructured documents.
Antworks CMR+ − It is an IDP software that makes use of AI to extract, organize, and digitalize data from various business documents. It is widely used by healthcare and finance institutions.
Rossum − It is a cloud-based IDP software used in intelligent automation. Rossum is known for its advanced capabilities such as AI-powered data extraction and integration with business applications.

Conclusion

Intelligent Automation tools are key components behind the digital transformation of business processes and enhanced operational efficiency in business operations. These tools allow organizations to automate and manage their tasks, ranging from business processes to document processing and workflow management.

Let's move to the next chapter in the tutorial and discuss the Key Challenges in Implementation of Intelligent Automation.

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