Business automation, robotics and business process management
With technology now available that incorporates robotics process automation and other automation technologies, companies can achieve greater efficiency, adapt to changing business needs and reduce human error. Read the latest news and tips about business process management and automating business processes, including how to demonstrate a strong return on investment when integrating enterprise automation tools into company operations.
Top Stories
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Tip
02 Jun 2023
AI transparency: What is it and why do we need it?
As the use of AI models has evolved and expanded, the concept of transparency has grown in importance. Learn about the benefits and challenges of AI transparency. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 May 2023
Ultimate guide to digital transformation for enterprise leaders
This in-depth guide explains what digital transformation is, why it is important and how enterprises can successfully transition to this new business paradigm. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Mar 2023
5 big digital transformation trends in 2023
The threat of a recession coupled with the ongoing need for transformation and growth means CIOs must make force multiplying investments in 2023. Here are five strategies. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jan 2023
What is low-code? A guide to enterprise low-code app development
Learn how low-code concepts and practices code can help enterprise developers be more efficient, create valuable apps more quickly and contribute to broader business initiatives. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Jun 2022
How to create a proof of concept with 6 free templates
What is a proof of concept and how does it help an organization? Here we dive into the importance of writing a POC and provide a list of free templates to help get you started. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Nov 2021
Will autonomous vehicles transform the supply chain?
Autonomous vehicles are being road tested and companies are predicting added value if these vehicles become integrated in supply chains, but certain obstacles must be overcome. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
15 Nov 2021
Business capabilities must define transformation efforts
Moving toward business and digital transformation depends on a clear understanding of business capabilities and how they should function in the future. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Nov 2021
Why you should consider an upgrade from PowerShell 5.1 to 7
A switch to PowerShell 7 will bring performance benefits along with expanded functionality to help administrators keep pace with changing needs in the enterprise. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Oct 2021
Top 3 enterprise automation myths CIOs should know
Business automation offers organizations a number of potential benefits. But first, IT leaders should separate the facts from the myths. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
13 Oct 2021
How to harness the disruption of hyperautomation
Hyperautomation technologies will disrupt business and IT operations, but smart organizations can use them as fuel for successful transformation. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
08 Sep 2021
3 keys to transforming your business with hyperautomation
The advancement of hyperautomation allows businesses to dramatically change how they operate and their ultimate success, if they take the right approach. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Aug 2021
RPA market booms as enterprises automate with bots
The RPA sector is expected to reach nearly $3 billion this year as new vendors compete with larger established RPA specialists and tech giants for enterprise automation business. Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2021
Open source RPA vendor Robocorp raises $21 million
Software automation startup based on open source framework that originated at Finnish tech giant Nokia seeks to challenge bigger RPA vendors with consumption-based pricing, orchestration platform. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Jun 2021
Today's blockchain use cases and industry applications
Though far from a mature technology, blockchain is gaining prominence as a sound and highly secure method of conducting myriad transactions in multiple applications and industries. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 May 2021
RPA vs. cognitive automation: What are the key differences?
CIOs are now relying on cognitive automation and RPA to improve business processes more than ever before. Here are the important distinctions between the two technologies. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 May 2021
What's the difference between RPA and IPA?
RPA and IPA can work in tandem to expand the scope of your process automation strategy. But first, it's important to understand their key differences. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 May 2021
RPA vs. BPA vs. DPA: Compare process automation technologies
Enterprise leaders have a choice of business process automation technologies. We delve into three top options and zero in on key differences. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Apr 2021
What are the benefits of cognitive automation?
As CIOs embrace more automation tools like RPA, they should also consider utilizing cognitive automation for higher-level tasks to further improve business processes. Here's why. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Apr 2021
CIO role post-pandemic is 'opportunity of a lifetime'
What is the CIO's role in 2021? Genpact's Sanjay Srivastava, a speaker at this year's MIT Sloan CIO Symposium, says CIOs are becoming 'co-creators' of new business models. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Apr 2021
Using a business rules engine to streamline decision-making
Get to know some of the details behind a business rules engine, particularly the automated approach it takes to handling critical, rules-based decisions. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
07 Apr 2021
Turning data into actionable insights with machine learning
To help make better use of data and analytics, we're diving into how companies can infuse ML-produced actionable insights into their decision-making workflows. Continue Reading
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Podcast
30 Mar 2021
What is the status of quantum computing for business?
In this episode of Today I Learned (about data), we discuss the status of quantum computing, its current challenges and when businesses can expect to use it in their day-to-day operations. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Mar 2021
Why digital transformations fail: Top 6 reasons
Digital transformation is essential to business survival, but companies keep failing at it. Find out why and what organizations can do to avoid the missteps that sabotage success. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Mar 2021
4 examples of digital transformation success in business
Searching out role models for your digital transformation initiative? We outline the steps taken by four masters of digital transformation and explain what you can learn from them. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Mar 2021
14 need-to-know tips for digital transformation success
What separates a successful digital transformation implementation from a recipe for disaster? These 14 tips will help ensure your DX efforts result in business improvement. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Mar 2021
6 tips for digital transformation budget planning
Digital transformation budgets require different processes than traditional business or IT budgets. Here's what to bear in mind when budgeting for DX. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Mar 2021
Low-code and BPM: Differences and similarities
Low-code development and business process management help digitize and optimize a business's operations. Learn how each works, and how together they enable digital transformation. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Mar 2021
What are the advantages and disadvantages of RPA?
While RPA offers several benefits in the enterprise, there are also a few drawbacks. According to experts, these are the top eight pros and five cons of RPA for organizations to consider. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
24 Feb 2021
4 ways to measure digital experience to drive tech optimization
As organizations adopt more technologies to strengthen business processes, it's important they factor in the ways they can measure the digital experience for employees and users. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Feb 2021
Building a digital transformation team: 8 essential roles
Who needs to be on your digital transformation team? Metrigy's Robin Gareiss lists the key positions of an effective digital transformation team and explains why they're important. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Feb 2021
Understanding the difference between RPA and AI
RPA and AI adoption are rapidly increasing, but there's still some confusion over the coevolving technologies. Here we dive into their capabilities and how they can work together. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Jan 2021
What CIOs need to know about the future of hyperautomation
Appian founder and CEO Matt Calkins dives into the benefits of hyperautomation and how unifying technologies will ultimately help enterprises achieve success in today's digital age. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Jan 2021
What CIOs need to know about RPA in IT operations
We have yet to see a big investment in RPA for IT operations, but that could change as experts identify it as an area that can yield significant benefits for CIOs and their departments. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Nov 2020
5 digital transformation success factors for 2021
With the right planning, leadership and skills, companies can use digital transformation to drive improved revenues and customer satisfaction in the year ahead. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Nov 2020
IT leaders discuss the role of AI during pandemic
While AI adoption was impacted by the pandemic, companies adapted. Enterprise executives explain why the results bode well for longer-term changes to how they do business. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
16 Nov 2020
How automated help desk tools can drive remote productivity
Working from home isn't going away anytime soon, putting an increased strain on IT management. Craig Greenhalgh explains how automated help desk tools could help IT employees. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Nov 2020
Top 5 CI/CD best practices for CIOs to follow
If you're running into CI/CD roadblocks, here are five strategies from the experts that can help CIOs advance their continuous integration and continuous delivery program. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Nov 2020
How automated discovery tools can ensure cloud migration success
Organizations planning a large-scale cloud migration should consider using automated discovery tools to not only accelerate the process but also reduce costs and operational risks. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Oct 2020
An introduction to intelligent document processing for CIOs
With IDP, enterprises can bring documents into automation workflows, which can help reduce document processing time and save on operational costs. Read more about its value here. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Oct 2020
Why CIOs need to establish an automation CoE
With organizations continuing to automate business processes across several departments at a rapid pace, it's time they consider implementing a Center of Excellence. Here's why. Continue Reading
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Podcast
18 Sep 2020
How machine learning model management plays into AI ethics
In the first episode of the 'Today I Learned' podcast, we're exploring the topic of ethical AI with insights from Scott Zoldi, the chief analytics officer at FICO. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Sep 2020
IoT robotics prevents hazards in manufacturing and healthcare
IoT and robotics independently offer many advantages to organizations, but the two technologies can also improve when combined for industrial operations and healthcare. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Sep 2020
Top 9 ways RPA and analytics work together
As the use of automation technologies continues to grow in the enterprise, experts are offerings tips on how organizations can utilize RPA to improve business analytics. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Sep 2020
4 data science project best practices to follow
Two data scientists provide valuable insight on how data science projects should work within the enterprise and the challenges data teams commonly run into. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Aug 2020
RPA in ERP modernizes legacy system with automation
Organizations are turning to RPA to automate business processes connected to legacy ERP systems rather than replacing them. Here's a look into how it's delivering benefits. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Aug 2020
Process automation in education helps school during COVID-19
Using process automation, a school in Sydney helped keep classes going online by automating the daily roll call process. Organizations have increasingly turned to automation and AI during COVID-19. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Aug 2020
Top 10 causes of RPA failures and how to avoid them
Experts in automation offer insight on why RPA implementations fail in the enterprise and how IT leaders can avoid them to ensure they're getting the most out of the technology. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Aug 2020
Use of virtual digital assistants for enterprise applications
Virtual assistants are increasingly becoming popular across several industries. Read about how enterprises are utilizing them to combat shortcomings, particularly during the pandemic. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Jul 2020
Rise of automation creates new RPA job descriptions
As automation increases in the enterprise, new RPA jobs are emerging that require a unique combination of hard and soft skills that go far beyond the traditional roles. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2020
Broken Pega RPA bots can heal themselves with new AI feature
Pegasystems robotic process automation tools, popular in contact centers, add AI capabilities that allow some RPA bots to fix themselves. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jul 2020
Effective QA practices for RPA bot maintenance
Effective RPA QA ensures your bots don't go haywire. Learn how RPA bots fail, effective QA workflows to fix them, and how, when and where human testers should get involved. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jun 2020
6 cognitive automation use cases in the enterprise
Businesses are increasingly adopting cognitive automation as the next level in process automation. These six use cases show how the technology is making its mark in the enterprise. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Jun 2020
Pandemic shapes RPA market trends
This pandemic is influencing organizational structures and changing priorities for enterprises pursuing robotic process automation deployments. Here's what partners can expect. Continue Reading
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News
19 May 2020
Microsoft buys Softomotive to boost Power Platform RPA
Microsoft's acquisition of Softomotive gives Power Automate users a low-code RPA system to build bots for Windows-based tasks. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 May 2020
RPA adoption to expand amid business resiliency needs
Leslie Joseph, principal analyst at Forrester, expects a surge in RPA demand, with financial services, manufacturing, energy and utilities, and logistics outpacing other verticals. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 May 2020
6 reasons to consider data automation in 2020
There's no denying the potential of data automation in the enterprise. Here we've identified the reasons why CIOs and other IT leaders should consider automating data in 2020. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Apr 2020
Survive the 'tech-clash' by rethinking 5 technology trends
A recent Accenture survey showed that organizations should consider a human-centric approach when looking to adopt the latest technology trends, including AI, smart products, 5G and more. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Apr 2020
Network automation book shares recipes for success
In this network automation book excerpt, discover how automation frameworks NAPALM and Ansible can provide network teams with vendor-agnostic network management capabilities. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Apr 2020
Network pros need NAPALM, Ansible network automation skills
Network pros need network automation skills in NAPALM and Ansible because the two modules together can enhance multivendor environments and streamline network management tasks. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Apr 2020
The 5 essential elements of an RPA strategy
RPA's benefits can be wiped out by an improper implementation. Give your business a sound RPA strategy and roadmap before you rush in. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Apr 2020
Emotion AI shows promise for IT leaders in the enterprise
Although still in its infancy, experts have no doubt that artificial emotional intelligence will be of great value. Here's why your organization should develop a strategy. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Apr 2020
How Concur AP automation streamlines accounts payable
Some finance departments are turning to SAP Concur for accounts payable automation to manage processes and increase accuracy. Here's what the automated process looks like. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Apr 2020
RPA bots: Messy tech that might upend the software business
RPA invisible robots are opening the doors for CIOs and other IT leaders to think about new ways to automate business processes within their organizations. Here's how. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Mar 2020
How RPA and digital transformation work together
Enterprises that think RPA is a good endpoint for digital transformation efforts are in for a rude shock. While automation is a good start, it can leave deeper issues unresolved. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Feb 2020
Hyperautomation: The most significant RPA trend of 2020
RPA's usefulness in automating low-level digital work tasks is undeniable, but its most important function may be serving as the gateway to enterprise hyperautomation. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Feb 2020
4 benefits of business process automation
Companies are automating business processes to improve workflows and use technology effectively. Some benefits of BPA include unified digital experiences and increased organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Feb 2020
5 tips for an effective marketing automation implementation
Successful marketing automation implementations require steps beyond those that go into the usual technology rollouts. Here are some tips to help businesses along the way. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jan 2020
The evolution of RPA, from macros to process transformation
RPA evolved from technology debuted in the 1950s and '60s and was developed to today's standards by the industry's leading vendors. It's future? Think AI. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Jan 2020
RPA bots: Unattended vs. attended vs. hybrid
CIOs and other IT leaders have their pick of attended, unattended and hybrid RPA platforms; this tip explains how each works and outlines their strengths and limitations. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jan 2020
The rise of RPA bots and the role of C-level decision makers
According to new research, there will be 3 million RPA bots running in the enterprise in 2020. As RPA bots proliferate, C-level decision makers must take steps to ensure their RPA programs deliver tactical and strategic benefits. Check out this expert guidance. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Dec 2019
Robot workforce evolves from mimicking tasks to taking on jobs
A personalized robot workforce is in the works, thanks to advances in RPA. How should CIOs prepare for the next trend in robotic process automation? Continue Reading
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Answer
10 Dec 2019
How do I choose the right network automation tools or platform?
In your organization's search for the best network automation platform for business operations, compare the pros and cons of proprietary and open source tools. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Dec 2019
Business process automation software requires a strategy
Organizations of all sizes can benefit from automation, but they need to move beyond tactical deployments. To really make use of BPA software, a strategic approach is needed. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Dec 2019
Why workflow automation isn't really about cost cutting
BPA can reduce expenses and boost efficiency. Its real value, though, is in how it can drive innovation throughout a company and provide a competitive advantage. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Dec 2019
When business process automation benefits the whole company
Here's what you need to know about BPA tooling, from how it works, how it helps and how to consider potential providers. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Nov 2019
Town of Falmouth pursues automation innovation to save costs
One Massachusetts town's embrace of automation, virtualization and other technology innovation provides an example for other entities and IT leaders to follow. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Nov 2019
Why CIOs need to adopt a process mining initiative
The father of process mining Wil van der Aalst weighs in on the future and explains why it's crucial for organizations to start process mining on a larger scale today. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Oct 2019
Transform network management with a network automation strategy
Enterprises can employ a network automation strategy to provide some stability for network management and monitoring. Automation, however, still requires some hard work. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Oct 2019
6 ways AI and automation could improve process mining
Creating a digital twin of your enterprise, identifying automation candidates for RPA and connecting isolated tasks into processes are a few ways CIOs can advance process discovery. Continue Reading
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Answer
01 Oct 2019
Workflow vs. BPM: What's the difference?
While business process management and workflow work together, they have two very different functions. Learn how they can fit into your business model. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Sep 2019
RPA security best practices include access control, system integration
Robotic process automation can revolutionize enterprise workflows, but if RPA security risks aren't controlled, bots could end up doing more harm than good. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Sep 2019
RPA marketplace trend has bots in store
RPA marketplaces are beginning to make their mark as vendors cultivate bot component contributors, including systems integrators and consulting firms. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Sep 2019
Pros and cons of RPA platforms vs. APIs
Because RPA and APIs are considered competitive approaches for automating business processes, we compiled a list of pros and cons to ensure you're getting the most out of each one. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Aug 2019
How to deal with the lack of chatbot standards
A lack of standards around chatbot development has created a situation in which enterprises are building and rebuilding bots. But that could change in the near future. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Aug 2019
RPA journey: Schneider Electric's global plan taps Blue Prism, UiPath
Schneider Electric, a multinational energy management company, has embarked on a robotic process automation journey, establishing a global team to evaluate RPA use cases. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Aug 2019
Blurring the lines between RPA platforms and APIs
RPA is quickly making itself known in the automation market, but the real game changer is utilizing the technology in an API-rich environment to deliver a more seamless experience. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Aug 2019
CGS taps UiPath RPA software for digital transformation journey
An outsourcing and managed services provider has made robotic process automation the focal point of its digital transformation journey. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jul 2019
Efficiency vs. effectiveness in business: Which comes first?
Operational efficiency gains do not equate to operational effectiveness. Expert Dan Morris explains efficiency vs. effectiveness in business process automation. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Jul 2019
AI for decision-making shows promise, but worker trust an issue
Companies like Walmart are using AI for decision-making in business processes, but the discipline is new and workers are wary. Experts offer ways to build trust. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Jul 2019
How Oracle RPA systems can automate business tasks for users
Robotic process automation software can be integrated into Oracle environments to help strengthen business operations by augmenting workers with software robots. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Jul 2019
Define a continuous improvement process with EA models, practices
Continuous improvement isn't just about centers of excellence or feedback loops. Ultimately, it must bring the vast enterprise architecture into rapid-fire code changes, and vice versa. Continue Reading
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News
09 Jul 2019
Automation Anywhere's Microsoft pact indicative of hot RPA market
RPA vendor Automation Anywhere said it's poised to take full advantage of the burgeoning RPA market. Its recent deal with Microsoft is just one indication of RPA's popularity. Continue Reading
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News
03 Jul 2019
Criteria for success in AI: Industry best practices
Is it useful to study how companies outside of your industry are applying AI? Experts from Shell, Uber and Fellow Robots believe so. Read about their criteria for success in AI. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Jul 2019
3 real-world IoT smart contract use cases prove blockchain benefits
Real-world companies are testing IoT smart contracts and finding value in various industries, from entertainment to utilities to advertising. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jun 2019
New BPMS architecture is answer to 'future-proofing' the enterprise
An aging, complex IT environment needed to become more nimble -- and remain stable. A months-long project using a new BPMS architecture pointed the way. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jun 2019
RPA use cases that take RPA to next level
Taking RPA use cases to the next level entails automating complex processes, establishing a governance program and using management techniques such as Six Sigma. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Jun 2019
Build a digital transformation strategy with software at its core
What is a winning digital transformation strategy? For many companies, it starts with an overhaul of their software environments. Our comprehensive guide explains how it's done. Continue Reading
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News
24 Apr 2019
Pointers on becoming a transformational CIO, pitfalls to avoid
A panel of CIO experts explore the role of the transformational CIO. Understanding organizational change and being plugged in are big factors. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Apr 2019
RPA software harnesses the potential of a digital workforce
RPA software cuts costs, boosts efficiency and frees employees from mind-numbing tasks. But governance challenges must be faced. Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2019
How to achieve digital transformation -- with CIO as linchpin
Companies achieve digital transformation along two dimensions -- through operational efficiency and offering a great customer experience. Getting there can be an uphill battle. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Mar 2019
Capital One's cloud strategy advances to tap emerging tech
Capital One's cloud strategy continues to evolve as the financial powerhouse taps into emerging tech to improve customer experience. Read the step-by-step details of its journey. Continue Reading
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News
26 Mar 2019
Scalable learning vs. scalable efficiency in the automation age
The right way to treat employees in the automation age is not by deploying scalable efficiency, but by offering scalable learning. The first requirement: enlightened leaders. Continue Reading