Digital Process Automation (DPA) builds upon traditional business process automation (BPA), which currently plays a key role in the digital transformation of companies and organisations. Implementing such a solutions allows companies to grow and gain or maintain a competitive advantage in an increasingly demanding, rapidly changing world. This is made possible by innovative IT systems dedicated to enterprise users, whose operation is based on the assumptions of digital process automation and state-of-the-art IT technologies.

Digital Process Automation – the evolution of business process automation

Digital process automation (DPA) tools are contemporary counterparts to traditional business process automation (BPA) solutions, which focused mainly on digitalisation of processes and documentation, as well as tasks, information and document workflows in the organisation. The transition from business process automation to digital process automation has been possible thanks to the development of state-of-the-art technologies over the course of the last decade, which led to the emergence of DPA-class solutions, giving business users the ability to process tasks, information, documents and data in electronic form better and more efficiently than ever before.

The evolution of traditional business process automation could not have happened without the development of modern technologies and widespread access to them. Today’s companies are increasingly focused on customer needs and their satisfaction – they are aware that achieving that is the key to obtain and maintain a leading position in today’s extremely competitive market. Innovative and disruptive technologies play a crucial role in this process, as their support allows to improve almost every area of the company’s operations, automate processes that can run without the direct participation of human employees and focus the latter on the needs of recipients. Digital process automation enables automating in-house business processes, while increasing the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of daily operations – this translates directly into profits and achieving strategic business goals.

Digital Process Automation versus business process automation

Digital process automation constitutes a natural follow-up to the traditional business process automation At first glance, the two concepts may seem very similar; however, the basic difference is that in the case of BPA, business processes are already digitised to some extent and ready for optimisation, while DPA requires the whole operation to be carried out from the beginning. The main objective of digital process automation is therefore to maintain transparency of all business processes taking place in the company, to automate customer service tasks, to create a friendly and cooperative atmosphere in the working environment based on clearly defined rules and to bring savings in almost every area.

DPA is an effective method based on the use of digital technologies and innovative solutions, which enables efficient automation and optimisation of business process tasks. This is possible thanks to special IT systems that allow companies to automate and optimise workflows, as well as information and document flows within the organisation.

Digital process automation and its benefits

Digital process automation brings numerous, measurable and tangible benefits to contemporary companies and organisations, which quickly become apparent in many areas of their operations. First and foremost, DPA has a positive impact on employee engagement and enthusiasm, since it allows them to better organise and plan the implementation of processes – this includes strict definition of their tasks, responsibilities and roles, automatically enforced by an automated workflow. Staff members no longer have to think about what to do and what actions to take, since the system holds their hand, in a way, focusing their actions in accordance with centrally configured scenarios and business rules. This ensures smooth, quick and efficient execution of tasks and eliminates the risk of errors and mistakes, while giving the company much better operational efficiency, saving both time and money. What is more, it also improves the pace and quality of work and facilitates the achievement of strategic business objectives.

Another important aspect to note is that in order to successfully make the principles of digital process automation a reality, there is usually no need to carry out a comprehensive automation of the entire process and all its constituents – the company can focus on automating workflows between relevant people and mechanisms, as well as selected where automation is justified and where it will bring the most tangible and perceptible benefits. This mainly concerns simple, repetitive, and thus tedious tasks, which are connected with a bigger risk of human errors, which can be relatively easily automated.

Implementing an innovative solution like this will bring higher quality and efficiency, when it comes to such monotonous, yet necessary and often important tasks, while saving a lot of time and positive energy of employees, which they can spend on activities where they are virtually irreplaceable – tasks that require creativity, critical thinking, expert knowledge or unique experience and know-how. In many cases, the added value, as well as competitive advantage hinges on exactly these tasks.

Thus, it is worthwhile to take a closer look at the practical side of the implementation of the assumptions not only from the point of view of digital process automation, but also to see a bigger picture – in the context of digital transformation and use of disruptive technologies for business growth. Linking the strength and potential of people with modern technologies and mechanisms offers very promising synergies that will allow your company to achieve the best business results.

How to choose a digital process automation system?

In order to be able to reap the biggest benefits of digital process automation, you need just the right tool to open up new opportunities. While reviewing DPA-class solutions available on the market, you should take a closer look at innovative low-code platforms dedicated to managing and automating business processes.

In addition to the standard functionality related to building business applications, process automation and optimisation, workflow and digital documentation management, some of them also enable making necessary modifications and changes in real time, which in turn enables quick and effective implementation of new rules and policies, as well as carrying out all business processes at a higher level through the gradual introduction of subsequent improvements, taking into account the dynamically changing company needs and market situation.

The ability to deliver new solutions quickly and easily (which also means that they are cost-competitive!) is actually the beginning and one side of the coin – especially when you see the dynamically changing requirements and expectations within the organisation, as well as the reality and challenges posed by the market and other elements of the business environment.