iBPM – A Powerful Medley of Big Data, Analytics, and Business Process Management
Digital transformation is all about completing tasks in an efficient manner by optimal utilization of resources, as opposed to manual effort that focuses on just completing tasks. Intelligent digital systems weave advanced technologies like cloud computing, event processing, and real-time decision making into traditional digital systems. iBPM stands for intelligent business process management. An iBPM suite goes beyond traditional BPM to build a dynamic technology environment that is based on value added knowledge work. Read on to learn more about iBPM, its benefits, and how intelligent business process automation can help your business grow.
Table of Contents
What is iBPM?
The Gartner definition of intelligent business process management or iBPM goes like this –
“The Intelligent business process management suite (iBPMS) is the natural evolution of the earlier business process management, adding more capabilities for greater intelligence within business processes.”
A BPM system is capable of validation (process simulation, including “what if” conditions), verification (logical compliance), optimization, and the ability to gain insights into process performance (key performance metrics). An iBPM offers advanced features for human collaboration, by integration with social media, mobile-enabled process tasks, streaming analytics, and real-time decision management.
Intelligent business process management suites combine business process management (BPM) software with advanced capabilities like artificial intelligence that help companies dynamically automate more start-to-finish experiences. An intelligent business solution is often cloud-enabled and provides low-code tools that help citizen developers create workflows easily and quickly. An iBPM suite is an integrated set of technologies that coordinates people, machines, and things while supporting traditional business process management requirements. iBPM technologies also offer –
- A greater level of collaboration throughout the process, which fosters wider adoption across organizational departments. Seamless collaboration leads to a higher level of change and improvement within current processes.
- Intelligence and support for industry and organizational specific processes.
- Support for integration with various middleware and back-end technologies, which equips organizations with the ability to introduce new offerings in the market.
iBPMS supports more complex processes by leveraging advanced technologies (AI, IoT, cloud computing, and robotics), as well as modern agile and low-code development methodologies. An iBPMS automates, orchestrates, and choreographs business processes that shape themselves as they run. Processes that iBPMS power can be considered to be more adaptive and intelligent and choose the next best action rather than the same repeatable sequence of actions.
The “i” in iBPMS is what enables BPM to support multi-faceted processes that exist in nearly every organization. Automation with iBPMS is more dynamic and agile, which drives process innovation that impacts customers and employees positively. The Intelligent Business Process Management Suites (iBPMS) Market Trends, growth opportunities, and Forecast Scenarios report reveals that iBPM is gaining traction across key regions including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and China. The market share for these regions is approximately 35% for North America, 25% for Europe, and 20% for Asia Pacific.
Comparing iBPMS and BPMS
Traditional BPMS delivered impressive process improvements in the back-office operations of several organizations. However, these improvements come with limitations in terms of flexibility and scalability, making it difficult to respond to change swiftly and address increases in demand. For instance, BPM was not always as flexible and scalable as it needed to be, which made it difficult to adapt to changes or increases in demand. Conventional BPM was ideal for replacing repetitive and redundant tasks and simplifying analytics. However, BPM was not equipped to deal with the requirements of processes that were highly complex.
Now, coming to the differences between iBPMS and BPMS. Intelligent business process management may be considered as a more useful, likable, and successful version of BPM. It derives its greatest strength from the ability to compile data from users and integrated applications and use it for making informed, automated decisions. This is a significant difference from traditional BPM. The 2 main issues with traditional BPM are –
- Gathers a remarkable volume of data on employee and process efficiency. However, the sheer volume of data becomes a barrier to interpret data for making informed decisions.
- Even after the data is translated into insights, it is a challenge to modify processes due to heavy coding that the change involves.
IiBPMS overcomes these challenges by quickly and accurately analyzing large volumes of data. The connectivity that iBPM solutions come with helps in the automated analysis and optimization of workflows. For integrating outside technology and applications into traditional BPM processes, you require the support of IT for creating custom solutions. iBPM on the other hand orchestrates multiple applications to weave innovative, cutting-edge technologies seamlessly into workflows. Incorporating new technology like event processing and predictive analytics into workflows, the time it takes to garner insights from data is reduced drastically.
In fact, iBPM can be considered a technologically evolving branch of traditional BPM software. BPM systems usually consist of one software platform, while iBPMS is a set of integrated software and apps some of which incorporate AI features. iBPM can breathe new life into the complex, document-centric processes that play an important role in digital transformation. iBPM implements advanced technologies to combine rule-based workflows with human task management to bring about document agility that enables the creation of critical documents as accurately as possible. The areas where iBPM scores over traditional BPM are –
- Complex event processing
- Interactive social media platform
- Real-time analytics and support for intelligent business operations
- Good support for mobile platforms
iBPM solutions are better at handling exceptions and optimizing processes continuously. The conversion from insight to improvement is much quicker in iBPM solutions. iBPMS solutions are capable of predicting problems and changes to the workflow based on real-time data. iBPM expands the scope of traditional BPM by automating processes that are prone to exceptions. It also generates more data about the changes for continuous process improvement. In this manner, process data continuously feeds back on itself so that workflows are constantly improved over time.
iBPM improves process results through rapid process iteration. The impact of advanced data processing is further enhanced by the ability to change processes rapidly. iBPM platforms provide users with the option of making changes automatically through an event-driven architecture and also feature low-code interfaces that enable even citizen developers to modify processes without the need for IT support.
Benefits of iBPM
Artificial intelligence is the biggest allure of iBPM, the “intelligent” attributes it provides are the key differentiators as business leaders seek new ways to streamline and simplify business operations. The attribute of iBPM that really stands out is the speed and accuracy with which it analyzes unstructured data. We have listed out the key benefits of iBPM and the corresponding technology it adopts for each benefit.
Process iteration
Iteration is the continual repetition of a task. iBPM specializes in tasks that involve iteration. To improve the efficiency of process iteration, iBPM uses robotic process automation. RPA is a key aspect of AI technology that can perform tasks like filling forms or extracting data, quickly and ceaselessly. RPA bots are easy to implement, build, and use. These Bots are capable of understanding and continually analyzing unstructured data that can provide valuable insights to businesses when leveraged the right way.
Team collaboration
With globalization, business operations and teams are scattered across geographic locations. Collaboration between many people across the globe, whether it is co-workers or clients, has become a necessity rather than a good to have. Cloud BPM tools facilitate seamless collaboration through mobile devices from just anywhere. A no-code cloud BPM tool like Cflow allows users to communicate and collaborate seamlessly from any location, at any time. Cloud computing uses servers, apps, and development tools for hosted services and computing resources through the Internet. Mobile access to the platform is made possible via cloud computing, also users get unlimited storage, and additional data security measures.
Predictions and recommendations
iBPMS is capable of making data-based predictions based on data analysis. Banks and financial institutions that typically use huge volumes of data leverage this capability to detect fraud and duplication effectively. In the healthcare industry too, iBPM allows healthcare providers to diagnose accurately and improve patient experiences. iBPM solutions use machine learning to provide predictions and recommendations based on business data. The entered data is processed and analyzed to make predictions and recommendations based on detected patterns and inconsistencies.
Accessibility
iBPM tools provide tools that enable stakeholders to gain accessibility easily. These tools are specifically designed for employees and stakeholders who do not have previous coding knowledge or training. Such tools minimize the user training time and IT workload. iBPM accentuates BPM with AI for faster data analysis and convenient interfaces, for ease of use. iBPM empowers employees to build their workflows using simple drag-and-drop tools like visual workflow builders.
Examples of iBPM
iBPM solutions are best suited for – speeding up and accentuating existing workflows, and connecting systems that utilize structured and unstructured data. Businesses leverage iBPM in various ways, let us look at these ways –
Chatbots
Chatbots are the most frequently used iterations of iBPM that consist of software designed to imitate human conversation. The buzz around chatbots has shifted from the status of “fad” to “game-changer”. Chatbots are a convenient way to answer questions in a thorough and timely manner to serve a consumer base accustomed to quick service responses. This iBPM solution is especially helpful for customers who have frequently asked questions and common issues. Chatbots free up IT specialists to focus on value-driven work like app development and system security.
iPaaS
Integration platform as a Service (iPaaS) is a technology that has come up recently. iPaaS is an automation software that uses rules and connectors to integrate apps, systems, and data for businesses. This iBPMS technology can clean and transform data into formats like XML, free up the IT team’s bandwidth, and allow smaller organizations to pass security ownership to third-party vendors. iPaaS solutions are useful for handling B2B data flows securely across multiple platforms, without the need for custom integrations. Multiple platform integration capabilities of the iPaaS platform include cloud services (private and public).
Intelligent Document Processing
Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) is an increasingly popular form of iBPM. This technology leverages the power of cognitive AI to analyze unstructured data from several course formats, which include emails, hand-written notes, and images. IDP is the way forward towards total elimination of manual entry, by providing massive time and cost savings. The speed and accuracy that IDP brings to document digitization is achieved through integration of innovative hardware.
Choosing the right iBPM Solution
With several options in iBPM solutions, choosing the right solution for your business holds the key to successful iBPM implementation. Picking the right technology can be daunting, even when you have a clear goal and strategy. The main reason for the ambiguity is that many providers say the same thing about the technology they are offering.
The main thing to be borne in mind while deciding on the iBPMS is that the choice depends on these factors- the current state of your business process maturity, activities that support these processes, availability of skilled resources, and access to data. Another important factor is the inclusion of AI technology in the iBPMS. The criteria for selecting an iBPMS solution varies as market conditions and customer expectations keep changing. Gartner has released its Magic Quadrant for Intelligent Business Process Management Suites in which it evaluated 21 vendors across 4 use cases – digital business optimization, self-service intelligent business process automation, digital business transformation, and adaptive case management.
Vendors that are in the Leader quadrant have strong product roadmaps that support intelligent operations for client businesses. Leading iBPMS vendors also provide a business-oriented methodology and the ability to grow with changing needs. Bear in mind the following points while choosing the iBPMS solution –
- How big is your business and how many users will you have?
- What is the volume of data inputs?
- Are you expecting data output, like recommendations or solutions?
- Do you deal with both structured and unstructured data?
- What is the complexity level of your processes?
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What is Intelligent Business Process Automation?
Business process automation is sometimes referred to as hyper-automation, intelligent automation, or digital process automation. Intelligent process automation combines robotic process automation with process mining, OCR/ICR, analytics, and artificial intelligence. Intelligent process automation facilitates the end-to-end processes that enable modern, resilient, flexible business operating models. Combining IPA with human experience can unlock the kind of innovation that inspires teams to create new business value.
The technologies used by Intelligent Process Automation include –
Process mining
This is an analytical approach that is followed for diagnosing issues within the process. Process mining uses data analysis to capture and improve processes.
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
This software is used to understand, interpret, and manipulate language, both in written and spoken formats.
Computer vision
Technology such as optical character recognition that is capable of scanning documents and transforming into text can be categorized as computer vision.
Machine learning
This technology uses AI software algorithms to find patterns in structured, historical data, and uses those patterns to make precise predictions on outcomes.
Artificial Intelligence
This technology mimics or sometimes even exceeds human intelligence by analyzing data faster and learning from past decisions.
Cflow is a no-code cloud
BPM provides intuitive workflow automation solutions for core business processes. The visual form builder in Cflow can be used by citizen developers to create workflows easily without writing even a single line of code. To create workflows, you only need to drag and drop visual elements according to preset business rules.
With Cflow you can set different rules containing multiple conditions as per your business requirements. The intuitive dashboard in Cflow gives the leadership real-time updates on the status of various processes and tasks. The reports and analytics feature provides data that can be analyzed and processed to gain useful insights into process performance. The API integration feature in Cflow allows users to integrate with third-party apps to derive an enhanced feature set that improves work efficiency and communication.
Challenges in Implementing iBPMS
Like most of the newly introduced technologies, iBPM too has its fair share of implementation challenges. The major challenges faced while implementing iBPMS are –
Resistance to adoption
Despite change being the only constant, people resist change, however big or small. The most common reaction to iBPM implementation among employees is fear of being replaced. Those whose current processes are ineffective or difficult to navigate may judge the new system cynically. In order to allay these fears or inhibitions among employees, a complete understanding of the changes that the iBPM implementation is going to bring to their daily activities is a must.
Communication bottlenecks
The natural tendency within process teams is to solve their duties and tasks. In an environment ridden by silos, the newly implemented iBPM tool only exacerbates them, which leads to a communication breakdown.
Setting the wrong KPIs
When organizations are in the implementation or training phase, they may not have a good understanding on specific performance indicators. The focus is more on individual processes that do not have strong connections to overall financial and customer experience goals. Also, businesses updating current solutions to iBPM have already made deep-rooted operational changes, and hence, may come up short of new savings to tap into.
Choosing the wrong technology
iBPM utilizes multiple technologies to improve process outcomes. Businesses need to choose the right technology that is aligned with the nature and scope of their business. For example, a Finance business choosing natural language processing may not make sense, and prove to be a total disaster while implementing iBPM.
Get Future Ready with iBPM
The iBPM market has witnessed significant growth in recent years, which is driven by the increasing demand for process automation, the need for enhanced customer experiences, and the growing adoption of digital technologies. Organizations across the globe are turning to iBPMS to stay agile, competitive, and future-ready to stay afloat in today’s competitive business environment. Intelligent process management suites have emerged as a critical technology for organizations looking to streamline their operations and drive digital transformation. A no-code cloud BPM solution like Cflow can streamline the digital transformation journey for your organization. Schedule a demo today to get started with Cflow.
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