Part 4. Key Technologies in Digitalization and Automation: What You Need to Know

1. Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

 

 

Description

 

RPA refers to a class of generic “robot” software used to automate repetitive and rule-based tasks, mimicking human actions in interacting with digital interfaces.

 

Key Features

 

• Non-invasive, operates at the user interface level
• Scalable and quick to implement
• Ideal for standardized, high-volume processes

 

Common Applications

 

• Invoice and order processing
• Data entry and validation
• Financial reporting and reconciliation
• Data transfer between software applications that cannot communicate via API

 

 

2. Business Process Management (BPM) and Workflow Automation (WA)

 

Description

 

BPM and WA solutions enable the digitalization, optimization, and automation of organizational workflows.

 

 

Key Features

 

• Modeling, executing, and monitoring business processes
• Integration with existing systems and task orchestration
• Dashboards and analytics for process performance

 

Common Applications

 

• Approval process automation (leave requests, orders, invoices, etc.)
• Digitalization of inter-departmental processes and procedures
• Incident management (help desk, quality assurance, etc.)
• Management of support processes not integrated into ERP (fleet management, equipment maintenance, etc.)

 

 

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

 

Description

 

AI and ML represent a new class of software applications that allow systems to learn from data, make decisions, and adapt without explicit programming.

 

Key Features

 

• Ability to handle complex and unstructured tasks
• Continuous improvement based on data and feedback
• Potential for advanced cognitive automation

 

Common Applications

 

• Predictive and prescriptive analytics
• Natural language processing and chatbots
• Recommendation and personalization systems

 

 

4. Intelligent Document Processing (IDP)

 

Description

 

IDP enables (through OCR and software processing) the transformation of physical documents and images into structured and processable digital data.

 

Key Features

 

• Automatic extraction of information from various document formats
• Integration with document management systems
• Advanced capabilities for processing forms and invoices

 

Common Applications

 

• Digitalizing archives and processing correspondence
• Automating data entry from forms
• Processing and validating financial documents

 

 

5. Internet of Things (IoT)

 

Description

IoT connects physical devices to the internet, allowing data collection and exchange for automation and analysis.

 

Key Features

• Sensors and connected devices for real-time data collection
• Integration with analytics and automation systems (e.g., BPM)
• Potential for optimizing operations and predictive maintenance

 

Common Applications

• Monitoring and controlling industrial equipment
• Optimizing energy consumption in smart buildings
• Supply chain and logistics management

 

 

Additionally, complementary to the technologies described above, you may also encounter:

 

6. Low-Code/No-Code Platforms

 

Description

 

Low-code/no-code platforms enable the rapid development of applications and automations with minimal or no programming.

 

 

Key Features

 

• Visual drag-and-drop interfaces for creating applications
• Quick to implement and easy to modify
• Accessible for non-technical users (also known as citizen developers)

 

Common Applications

 

• Creating customized business applications
• Automating inter-departmental processes
• Rapid prototyping and concept validation

 

 

7. Cloud Computing

 

Description

 

Cloud platforms provide the infrastructure and services necessary for scaling and implementing digitalization and automation solutions.

 

Key Features

 

• Scalability and flexibility in resource usage
• Services for AI, ML, and analytics
• Native integration with other technologies and cloud services

 

Common Applications

 

• Hosting for applications and databases
• Big data analytics and processing
• Development and testing of automation solutions

 

 

Conclusion

 

Understanding and strategically adopting these key technologies can significantly accelerate an organization’s digitalization and automation efforts. Each technology offers unique capabilities and can be applied in various scenarios to improve efficiency, foster innovation, and reduce costs. Our journey towards digitalization will continue in the following article, where we will examine one of the most important challenges of digitalization and automation: resistance to change.