Understanding Business Process Automation
Business Process Automation (BPA) may sound different depending on who you ask, as various vendors and analysts approach it from unique angles. However, at its core, BPA is about leveraging technology to streamline and automate complex business processes.
As Gartner defines it, BPA is “software that automates business processes by enabling orchestration and choreography of diverse sets of actors (humans, systems, and bots) involved in the execution of the process.” Essentially, BPA tools create a unified environment where applications can incorporate process models and, optionally, other business, decision, and data models, facilitating the digitization of business operations. BPA uses BPMN to map out and visually depict processes.
BPA focuses on enhancing operational efficiency by reducing manual intervention, thus lowering the risk of human error and increasing productivity. When routine, repetitive tasks are automated, it frees up valuable resources that can then be directed toward strategic growth and innovation.
Industries like banking, financial services, insurance (BFSI), government, and manufacturing have shown strong interest in BPA, but the benefits extend well beyond these sectors. Organizations across various industries are discovering that BPA is a valuable asset for staying competitive in today’s fast-paced business environment.
The Evolution of BPA
Historically, businesses turned to Business Process Automation (BPA) to reduce errors, automate repetitive tasks, and improve efficiency in isolated processes. Early BPA tools often worked in silos, solving specific problems without integrating across systems.
Today, the demands on BPA have shifted. Companies no longer just want basic task automation; they crave integrated solutions that harmonize processes across departments and platforms. Although on-premises BPA tools held over 60% of the market share in 2022, this is rapidly changing. Cloud-based BPA, particularly in a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, is now a top choice due to its flexibility, cost savings, and ease of deployment compared to the on-premises software.
The most critical evolution is the move from using isolated automation tools to adopting BPA as an orchestration layer. Modern BPA platforms connect various business functions, people (both employees and customers), and automation technologies like RPA, Intelligent Document Processing (IDP), and iPaaS. This coordinated, hyper-automation approach enables end-to-end process automation, helping companies achieve broader and more agile workflows.
In short, BPA has transformed from task-specific automation into a powerful platform for enterprise-wide, interconnected automation that drives efficiency and adaptability.
Key Drivers for BPA
The global Business Process Automation (BPA) market is projected to grow by $9.95 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.47% between 2022 and 2027. This rapid growth is fueled by several key drivers:
- Demand for efficiency and productivity: Organizations across industries seek to streamline operations and decrease costs. BPA allows companies to automate high-volume, repetitive tasks, increasing productivity while reducing errors and costs.
- Regulatory compliance needs: Compliance requirements are a significant driver, especially in highly regulated sectors like Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI). Financial institutions, for example, rely on BPA to automate complex, cross-system processes, boosting productivity, profitability, and operational efficiency while ensuring regulatory standards are met.
- Need for technological Integration: BPA brings together advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS). This convergence enables smarter, faster, and more responsive automation solutions, allowing businesses to adapt swiftly to market changes.
These factors collectively drive the adoption of BPA, positioning it as a critical solution for businesses aiming to thrive in a competitive, tech-driven landscape.
ProcessMaker’s Pioneering Role
ProcessMaker stands at the forefront of the business process automation (BPA) revolution, setting new benchmarks in process orchestration.
Its built-in AI capabilities, such as FlowGenie, empower organizations to streamline workflows with unmatched efficiency and intelligence. The platform’s process intelligence tools offer a holistic view of business processes, providing unmatched end-to-end insights and reporting.
ProcessMaker’s orchestration tools, both in modeling and execution, are continuously refined to ensure they remain intuitive yet powerful.
ProcessMaker provides the tools necessary to thrive amidst transformation. By blending simplicity with strength, it enables organizations to stay agile and resilient, paving the way for success in 2025 and beyond.
