What is Intelligent Automation?

Intelligent Automation combines robotic process automation (RPA) with artificial intelligence technologies like machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. This creates automation systems that can handle complex, judgment-based tasks requiring human-like intelligence, not just repetitive, rule-based processes.

For SMEs, intelligent automation represents a significant leap beyond traditional automation. While RPA can automate structured, repetitive tasks like data entry, intelligent automation can handle unstructured data, make decisions, adapt to variations, and continuously improve. This expands automation opportunities to knowledge work and complex processes.

Intelligent automation combines several technologies: RPA for task execution, machine learning for decision-making and prediction, natural language processing for understanding text and speech, computer vision for processing images and documents, and process mining for discovering automation opportunities. These technologies work together to handle end-to-end processes.

Business applications span all functions: finance (invoice processing, reconciliation, reporting), HR (resume screening, employee onboarding, benefits administration), customer service (inquiry handling, case management), supply chain (demand planning, order processing), and compliance (monitoring, reporting, audit preparation). The key is automating entire processes, not just individual tasks.

Implementing intelligent automation starts with identifying suitable processes—high volume, time-consuming, error-prone, and rule-based with some judgment required. Map current processes, identify automation opportunities, select appropriate technologies, build and test solutions, train users, and scale successful implementations. Many organizations establish centers of excellence to coordinate automation efforts.

The business value includes significant cost savings (reduced labor for routine tasks), improved accuracy (fewer errors), faster processing (24/7 operation), better compliance (consistent process execution), enhanced customer experience (faster response times), and freed-up employees for higher-value work. SMEs that effectively implement intelligent automation can dramatically improve operational efficiency and scale operations without proportionally increasing costs.