Process Automation is critical

Process automation is at the core of digital transformation initiatives, but these processes have become very complex, including multiple different steps and components across different technologies. According to respondents, a single process typically includes five different components, including packaged enterprise applications, APIs, RPA bots, mobile applications, human tasks, or microservices. Processes also run anywhere, as the heavy lifting of process automation is done on-prem (32 percent), in the private cloud (58 percent), or public cloud (47 percent), or some hybrid situation (45 percent). Unsurprisingly, 88 percent of IT professionals say that at least one challenge was experienced during their most recent process automation project. Most respondents that reported struggles cited organizational and project management issues, as well as with disjointed technical infrastructure.

Additionally, many businesses are still relying on manual or inconsistent reporting to decide how to optimize or improve already automated processes, and to identify patterns and bottlenecks. Approximately half (48 percent) of organizations only perform periodic log analysis, while 25 percent are using manual ad-hoc reporting. This lack of visibility and strategic oversight increases the chances that essential business processes are inefficient and will cause harm to revenue and reputation.