Are you thinking about adopting intelligent automation (IA) tools or software? If so, you’ll be pleased to know that there are numerous options available in the market. In this article, we will explore four key categories of intelligent automation software and provide an extensive list of vendors for you to consider.
What is intelligent automation software?
Intelligent automation tools and software use technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic process automation (RPA) to automate mundane, repetitive tasks. The goal of intelligent automation tools is to streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve the efficiency of business operations.
The term “intelligent automation” was first coined by Forrester Research to describe tools that support enterprise automation in business process management. IA is sometimes also called hyperautomation.
Benefits of intelligent automation
- Enhanced productivity. Automate repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on strategic operations.
- Higher accuracy. Minimize human error in repetitive tasks by automating processes and ensuring precise data input.
- Cost-efficiency. Reduce overhead costs, particularly labor, by streamlining manual processes.
- Quicker workflows. Gain a competitive edge with faster and more efficient task and data processing.
- Data-driven decision-making. Leverage IA to analyze vast data sets, providing actionable insights for informed business choices.
A long list of intelligent automation software tools
While the interpretations of intelligent automation differ greatly between experts and organizations, you can consider IA to include different business operations that are enabled by artificial intelligence or machine learning. The four key categories of intelligent automation tools include:
- Advanced process intelligence,
- Robotic process automation,
- Intelligent document processing (IDP),
- Intelligent integrations.
This guide includes profiles of different IA tools and software that fall under these main sections.
- Enterprise automation platforms
- Business process management (BPM) tools
- Workflow management software
- Process intelligence tools
- Robotic process automation (RPA) tools
- Intelligent document processing (IDP) software
- Intelligent automation platforms
Enterprise Automation Platforms
Enterprise automation platforms offer a broad suite solution to intelligent automation. They may include end-to-end process intelligence and management capabilities, including RPA functionality. What makes enterprise automation platforms different is that they typically offer a modular solution to the customers’ automation needs.
ProcessMaker
ProcessMaker is a Business Process Automation (BPA) platform that brilliantly fuses AI and Natural Language Processing to empower business users to automate workflows without the need for coding. It offers a robust suite of tools for developers to automate complex workflows that intersect various departments and systems. By integrating with your existing infrastructure, ProcessMaker eradicates silos, providing an efficient, scalable solution for all intelligent automation and orchestration requirements. In addition to that, the BPA platform offers robust reporting and dashboard functionalities.
UiPath
UiPath provides a suite of tools to help automate processes, including an easy-to-use visual workflow designer, a powerful robotic automation platform, and an AI-powered document processing component. The vendor is a pioneer in robotic process automation (RPA). It has over 10,000 customers worldwide ranging from independent RPA developers to large enterprise businesses such as Verizon, Coca-Cola and Takeda Pharmaceuticals. UiPath’s process mining tool has been integrated into the platform through the acquisition of ProcessGold in 2019.
IBM
The technology giant offers a suite solution to business process automation, including RPA software, business process mapping, and intelligent document processing. The IBM process mining capabilities are developed on the process discovery and process mining technology acquired from MyInvenio a process mining vendor in 2021. IBM is one of the world’s largest technology companies with revenue of over $60 billion and over 250,000 employees worldwide.
SAP Signavio
Signavio is a business process management (BPM) software solution SAP has acquired in 2021 with an especially developed process mining solution. Its Process Transformation suite can be used for a variety of purposes, including process insights, process automation, process management and process modeling. Outside of Signavio SAP offers other intelligent automation solutions, such as the SAP Process Orchestration platform and the SAP Integration Suite. Today SAP has over 25 billion dollars in annual revenue and over 110,000 employees.
Appian
This business process automation platform has a special focus on low-code design and process automation. Appian’s process mining functionality is based on the acquisition of Lana Labs. In 2022 Appian had over $450 million in revenue and over 2000 employees.
Pega
Pega Systems (Pega) is an enterprise business management and automation platform with CRM functionality and decision intelligence capabilities. Its process mining functionality is based on the acquisition of Everflow in 2022. In 2022 Pega Systems had over $1,2 billion in revenues and over 6000 employees.
Workfusion
Workfusion is a platform to manage a digital workforce using no-code, low-code functionality and process automation. The platform contains benchmarking capablities and intelligent document processing technology. In 2021 Workfusion raised $220 million in venture capital funding and today the company employs almost 400 employees.
Automation Anywhere
Automation Anywhere is a global software company that develops robotic process automation software. Through the acquisition of FortressIQ Automation Anywhere also offers process intelligence functionality. Automation Anywhere was established in 2003 and today employs over 2700 employees worldwide.
Nintex
Nintex is a leader in end-to-end process intelligence and workflow automation with over 10,000 customers. It expanded its process discovery and mining functionality in 2022 through the acquisition of Kryon. In 2021 was acquired by a private equity company TPG Capital for $2 billion and today the company employs just over 970 people.
Business Process Management (BPM) Tools
While business process management tools have been around for decades a new generation of advanced BPM tools brings intelligent automation to the realm of process management. Today’s BPM platforms come with intuitive and easy-to-understand user interfaces, advanced user and project management functionality and an array of embedded low or no-code modules to automate workflows.
ProcessMaker Platform
ProcessMaker is an open-source business process management (BPM) and workflow platform. This tool is designed to automate workflows and approvals with BPM software features such as task management, analytics, reporting, and API integrations. The platform also has advanced IDP capabilities, as well as complementary process intelligence solutions in its broader suite.
Bizagi
Bizagi is a business process management platform including process modeling and automation features. The company was founded in 1989 and has raised over $48 million in venture funding and today employs over 450 employees.
Camunda
This process orchestration platform includes workflow management and decision automation functionality. Camunda was launched in 2013 in Berlin, Germany and has raised over $107 million in venture funding to date.
Software AG / ARIS
Software AG is an enterprise software company founded in 1969 with over 10,000 customers across 70 countries. Among its software portfolio, it develops a BPM solution called ARIS enabling process modeling, process analysis, and end-to-end process management.
iGrafx
iGrafx is a BPM platform focused on operational excellence and digital transformation. In addition to process modeling functionality, iGrafx has process mining functionality from the acquisition of Logpickr. iGrafx was founded in 1987 and is owned by the growth equity company Limerock Group.
LucidChart
LucidChart lets you create flowcharts and diagrams for BPM and is an alternative to using Microsoft Visio. It is a web-based software that allows users to visually collaborate on drawing, revising, and sharing charts and diagrams, and improve processes, systems, and organizational structures. LucidChart was founded in 2008 and is based out of Utah.
Hyland
Hyland provides enterprise content management (ECM) and process management solutions within a OnBase suite. It also has developed business process automation functionality. Hyland was founded in 1991 and is based in Westlake, Ohio
Laserfiche
Laserfiche is also an ECM platform with extensive business process management functionality including IDP and process automation modules. The software is used to store, organize, manage, and secure digital documents. It provides a broad range of tools to capture, store, search, retrieve, and distribute documents. Laserfiche also supports workflow automation, document versioning, and document security management.
Workflow Management Software
ProcessMaker
ProcessMaker’s workflow management features offer a seamless way to design, execute, and monitor business processes with ease. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, along with real-time analytics and customisation options, empowers organisations to enhance efficiency and flexibility. Processmaker supports collaboration across teams by allowing users to assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress, ensuring that projects stay on schedule. customizable templates and forms facilitate a quick setup and deployment for different business needs, making ProcessMaker an ideal solution for organizations looking to reduce operational friction.
Kissflow
Kissflow cleans up the messy middle of internal operations by getting the right apps made by the right people on the right platform. With Kissflow’s simple low-code platform, enterprise applications can be built in weeks.
Monday.com
Monday.com is a cloud-based work management platform. Its core functionality is visual project management which helps teams manage tasks, collaboration, and workflows. Monday.com includes features like task management, time tracking, file sharing, and automated workflows.
Airtable
Airtable is a low-code platform for building collaborative apps. The software allows you to create a database for work-related information that can be leveraged across teams in workflows and processes. Airtable combines the features of a spreadsheet with advanced database capabilities to make managing and sharing data easy. It can be used for a variety of tasks, including project management, CRM, and inventory management. The company was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in San Francisco.
Process Street
Process Street is a simple no-code platform for managing workflows, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and checklists. The software helps teams create, track, and optimize processes through a web-based platform. It includes features for process automation, process mapping, task management, workflow management, and more. It is used by teams of all sizes to improve their operations and increase productivity.
Pipefy
Pipefy is a workflow management platform with low-code functionality and embedded process automation features. The tool helps teams streamline their processes by automating tasks, tracking progress, and providing real-time analytics. It also offers features like task delegation, form builder, and data visualization.
Bit.ai
Bit.ai is a document collaboration platform used for document and workflow management. It contains a broad range of collaboration and user management cases relevant to process management. Bit.ai was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in San Francisco.
Nifty
Nifty is a project management tool that can be used for automated project tracking, collaborations, and task management. Today Nifty is used by over 20,000 teams around the world. The company is headquartered in New York.
GoodDay
GoodDay is a work management platform that includes high-level planning, project and product management, and task assignment. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Costa Mesa, California.
Process intelligence tools
One of the earliest forms of intelligent automation is process mining software that was developed in the late 1990s to automate process analysis and process discovery in business operations. Process mining is a technique used to discover, analyze and improve business processes using data mining methods. Today, many process mining algorithms utilize Machine Learning (ML) to categorize and visualize business processes based on data extracted from event logs in enterprise resource systems, such as ERP or CRM databases. Together with task mining, they form an emerging intelligent automation category of process intelligence software.
ProcessMaker Process Intelligence (PI)
ProcessMaker is a new entrant to the process intelligence space. It acquired Workfellow in early 2024, adding advanced process intelligence capabilities to its Business Process Management suite, making it a complete discovery-to-automation engine. It is the first hybrid process intelligence solution combining process mining and task mining through a new AI-powered method called Work API. See the details of how this innovative technology works.
Celonis
Celonis is a popular software solution that helps enterprise organizations optimize their business processes. The different Celonis solutions are packed into the Execution Management System (EMS) – a platform that helps businesses analyze and visualize processes, identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies, and provide guidance on process improvements.
Microsoft Minit
Microsoft is an enterprise software provider that needs no introduction. What’s less well known is that Microsoft has an increasing solution offering for process intelligence solutions through its Power Platform. In 2022 Microsoft acquired Minit, a best-of-breed process mining solution based in Bratislava, Slovakia. As of 2023, Microsoft has signaled plans to integrate Minit into its service portfolio.
Fluxicon Disco
Disco is a process mining solution offered by Fluxicon, a company with a background in academic research in process and data mining. Fluxicon first started to explore process mining technology in the late 1990s and is one of the first process mining solutions available on the market.
Mehrwerk
Mehrwerk is a process mining solution built on the Qlik Sense business intelligence platform. It offers comprehensive process mining capabilities that combine self-service functionality process visualizations.
QPR Software
QPR Software was established in 1991 and is one of the first vendors to offer process mining functionality. The QPR ProcessAnalyzer offers broad analytical functionality, customizable dashboards, and enhanced BPMN modeling. Today QPR is particularly focused on building a process mining solution on the Snowflake data cloud platform.
BusinessOptix
The vendor is a US-based Process Transformation suite offering end-to-end process transformation tools including process mining functionality. BusinessOptix process mining is offered as part of a cloud-based platform for transforming business processes in areas such as customer experience (CX).
Apromore
Apromore is a process mining solution with deep links to the academic sector founded by university professors. It offers a free version of it’s software for education and research purposes.
Robotic process automation (RPA) Tools
Another key category of intelligent automation tools is robotic process automation. RPA is a form of business process automation where software robots are used to emulate human actions interacting with digital systems and software. The roots of RPA can be traced to the early 2000s when the first commercial process automation software vendors emerged. The term RPA was first coined by Phil Fersht from HFS Research.
The goal of RPA is to use software bots to replace some of the manual and repetitive tasks previously done by humans in a digitalized workforce. Examples can include automated invoice approval in accounts payable or tasks within loan credit checks in consumer banking.
Robocorp
It is an open-source RPA intelligence automation software that enables developers to automate repetitive tasks. Robocorp’s tech stack is Python-based allowing for quick and easy set-up and management. Its foundations are in the generic and open-source Robot Framework used in RPA and automation.
SS&C BluePrism
Blue Prism is a robotic process automation platform that helps unify human and digital workforces through a combination of RPA and business process management functionality. The company is headquartered in the United Kingdom and is owned by the private equity company SS&C Technologies.
Worksoft
Worksoft is a leader in RPA-based software testing. It offers software test automation and automated website testing functionality. Worksoft also supports a business process automation platform that includes workflow automation and process analysis.
Microsoft Power Automate
Microsoft Power Automate, formerly known as Microsoft Flow is a platform for automation of recurring tasks. Power Automate is offered in the line-up of Microsoft business management solutions together with Power BI and Power Apps.
Turbotic
Turbotic is a platform for automation center of excellence (CoE) aimed at orchestrating RPA projects across the end-to-end process lifecycle and across different systems. The software has multi-vendor integrations, so you can manage RPA projects across different toolkits. Turbotic was founded in Stockholm in 2020 and has received over $9 million in VC funding.
Cyclone Robotics
Cyclone Robotics is China’s largest supplier of robotic process automation (RPA) software with a growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The software vendor was founded in Shanghai in 2015.
AkaBot
AkaBot is a user-friendly RPA solution including simple drag and drop functionality developed by FPT Software. The software focuses specifically on bots for time-consuming, low-value repetitive tasks. AkaBot was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Vietnam
Aiwozo
Aiwozo is an intelligent process automation solution with RPA functionality built on the foundations of AI and ML capabilities to achieve a high degree of automation. The company was founded in 2019 in Bengaluru, India.
Intelligent document processing (IDP) Tools
Intelligent document processing (IDP) is a technology that uses AI to automate the process of extracting, validating, and transforming relevant information from documents such as invoices, receipts, contracts, and forms. Typically IDP tools utilize natural language processing (NLP) to read and extract key information from digitalized documents.
IDP systems can be used to quickly and accurately extract unstructured data from documents and store it in an organized manner without the need for manual data entry. It can also include forms of digitalization, where object character recognition (OCR) and computer vision are used to scan and create digital copies of key business objects, such as invoices or contracts.
ProcessMaker
ProcessMaker’s Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) is a robust solution for automated document processing. It replaces manual data entry with AI-driven extraction and classification of key information from images and documents, resulting in enhanced data integrity. With the ability to initiate automated workflows and even train to understand unique documents, ProcessMaker IDP keeps your skilled workforce focused on high-value tasks rather than repetitive ones.
Rossum
Rossum is a cloud-based intelligent document processing solution with API capabilities. The vendor has advanced AI-powered data extraction capabilities and integrates with many enterprise business applications. Rossum was founded in the Czech Republic in 2017.
Antworks
Antworks is an intelligent document processing solution provider leveraging artificial intelligence to extract, classify and digitalize business data from documents. Its CMR+ product is used by global insurers, banks and healthcare providers. Antworks was founded in 2015 and is based in Singapore.
Tungsten Automation (formerly Kofax)
Kofax is an IDP and process automation solution provider with a focus on financial documents and workflows. It is capable of both digital and print document scanning. Kofax has extended its IDP offering through the acquisition of Ephesoft in 2022. The company is now called a Tungsten automation.
ABBYY
ABBYY is an IDP software provider utilizing optical character recognition (OCR) capable of extracting data from print and digital documents. In addition to IDP ABBYY has process mining functionality.
Expert.ai
Expert.ai has an IDP platform based on natural language processing (NLP) focused on unstructured language data. The software vendor uses both machine learning and rule-based logic to create taxonomies for document analysis.
Hyperscience
Hyperscience is an IDP solution utilizing machine learning and human supervision/review steps. It has an integration with the Bizagi BPM platform. Hyperscience was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in New York.
Datamatics
Datamatics is an IDP solution provider with RPA functionality. It also provides BPM and IT data management consulting. Datamatics was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Mumbai, India.
Super.AI
Super.AI is an IDP solution with automatic data capture capabilities. It can automate image, audio, video, and text document processing. Super.ai was founded in 2017 and is based in Washington State.
Intelligent Automation Q&A:
1. What is intelligent process automation?
Intelligent automation leverages technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic process automation (RPA) to automate tedious, repetitive tasks. By streamlining processes, it reduces costs and enhances the efficiency of business operations.
2. How does process mining software involve artificial intelligence (AI)?
Many process mining solutions include machine learning (ML) algorithms used in areas such as process discovery or automated process mapping. For more information, see process mining algorithms simply explained.
3. What is meant by automation of enterprises?
Automation of enterprise refers to holistically reviewing an organization’s processes and workflows in order to find automation opportunities that could substitute manual repetitive processes. The goal of enterprise automation is to improve overall effectiveness and productivity, reduce costs, and increase employee satisfaction.
4. What are some of the challenges of enterprise automation?
One of the main challenges companies experience when starting with enterprise automation initiatives of any kind is resistance to change. Effective change management policies and practices must be implemented ahead of time to ensure a smooth transition. Another hurdle of enterprise automation is complicated legacy systems that are not always compatible with automation software or require heavy integrations. Finally, while enterprise automation reduces costs substantially in the long term, it is a big investment in the short term, and one should carefully evaluate which technologies to use in order to get the highest ROI.
5. What is Robotic Process Automation (RPA)?
RPA is the use of software robots to automate repetitive, rule-based tasks. It leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to streamline business operations and increase efficiency.
6. What is process intelligence?
Process intelligence is the use of business intelligence strategies and technologies in business process management. Process intelligence can be used to remove bottlenecks or improve operational efficiency, and it can be used as a catalyst for business process re-design.
