“What challenge does your organization have and how can we solve it with technology?” says Laurens Ruijtenberg, expert in hyperautomation at Rapid Circle. “Hyperautomation is not just about a new technology. It starts with a problem.”

Hyperautomation sounds quite futuristic, but the reality is that it is more than a new buzzword in the world of technology and business operations. Yet the meaning often remains unclear, while the possibilities are enormous. In this article we look at hyperautomation not as a technological trend, but as a strategy that helps organizations streamline processes, reduce costs and increase employee job satisfaction. What exactly does hyper-automation mean? And how can companies benefit from it?

What is hyperautomation?

Long story short: hyperautomation is an advanced form of automation that combines multiple technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and data analytics. The idea is to automate as many tasks as possible in business processes, often to the point that this is done completely automated without human intervention. But as Ruijtenberg points out, “It all starts with the business problem.”

Imagine that a healthcare institution needs more hands at the bedside, a customer service department wants to spend more time on customer relations instead of administrative tasks, or an HR department longs for more efficient processes. Hyperautomation looks at these challenges and looks for ways to automate them as much as possible. “The technology is the way to realize the value we want to create. It’s not just about saving time, because the real success lies in what you do with that saved time”, he explains. Laurens adds: “This creates space for people to focus on what is really important.“

The business value of hyperautomation

Although the idea of ​​automation is mainly about saving time, the benefits of hyperautomation are much broader. According to Michiel Heynen, senior Business Consultant at Rapid Circle, there are three clear benefits that hyperautomation offers:

• Cost reduction: Research shows that organizations can save up to 60% on operational costs through hyperautomation. Automated processes reduce manual work and reduce the chance of costly human errors.

• Productivity Boost: Gartner predicts that organizations that successfully implement hyperautomation can increase their operational efficiency by 30%. This allows employees to focus on valuable interactions with customers or patients, for example.

• Strategic agility: Because organizations become more productive and reduce costs, organizations can respond more quickly to (market) changes and develop strategic initiatives, innovation and other activities that add value.

• Increased job satisfaction: Relieving employees of repetitive tasks creates room for creativity and personal development. “Employees are given more space to put their energy into more meaningful work”, says Laurens.

​​​A concrete example? Rapid Circle helped a shipbuilder with costumer support, which not only increased productivity, but also strengthened its competitive position.

How can hyperautomation help your organization?

Rapid Circle always approaches hyperautomation from the question: what is the business challenge we want to solve? This is an iterative process in which we continuously evaluate and adjust. “It is not a one-time project, it is a continuous process of improvement and optimization”, says Ruijtenberg.

It starts with mapping the value stream, identifying the bottlenecks and determining where automation can have the most impact. “With hyperautomation we first look at the business problem and only then at the technology that we can use”, says Michiel. From there, the Rapid Circle team will work to optimize processes using tools such as Microsoft’s Power Platform. The result? More time for the things that really matter, such as customer relationships and strategic decision-making.

You could divide the approach into three phases:

1. Value stream analysis

Where is the value? Where are the bottlenecks? By identifying bottlenecks, we lay the foundation for optimization.

2. Quick wins and strategic initiatives

For organizations that want to start small, we offer Quick Win programs that show results within a few weeks. For larger projects, we develop an extensive business case and KPIs that define success.

3. Implementation and governance

Using the Power Platform, we use technology to automate processes. Our governance approach ensures that aspects such as data security, license management and compliance are taken into account.

“We always start with the problem, not with the technology. But thanks to the Power Platform, we can offer customers a scalable and future-proof solution.”

– Michiel Heynen, Business Consultant

The future of hyperautomation

The future of hyperautomation is inextricably linked to the development of AI. “We will talk more and more about AI and the role this technology plays in hyperautomation. Hyperautomation itself is just a term, but the core idea will always remain the same, but the technology behind it will continue to evolve. Especially as smarter AI solutions are coming.” According to Laurens.

But with this progress also comes new challenges. “The impact on the organization and how you as a company handle the data you collect is becoming increasingly important. Think of compliance and security”, Laurens explains. The legal landscape surrounding AI and automation is still evolving, but it is clear that organizations need to prepare for this.

Governance and security

A crucial aspect of hyperautomation is governance, especially when it comes to managing data and its security. “With hyperautomation, it is essential that your organization is prepared for the impact that technology can have, both in terms of IT and compliance”, says Michiel. Organizations must be able to properly manage and secure data, which means investing not only in technology, but also in the infrastructure and governance needed to successfully deploy that technology.

A good example of this approach is the “Center of Excellence” within Microsoft’s Power Platform, which allows organizations to monitor how well their automation initiatives are working. “It helps companies understand the costs, efficiency and success of their automation initiatives”, Laurens explains. The Center of Excellence also offers an extensive toolkit to help companies get a handle on their hyperautomation initiatives.

What companies need to know about hyperautomation

According to Ruijtenberg, the most important message for companies considering using hyperautomation is: “Look and listen carefully to what is going on in the organization and where the challenges and areas for improvement are.” By working with the entire team on a solution that is relevant to their specific business challenges, hyperautomation can add real value.

Michiel adds: “Make sure your organization is aware of what hyperautomation requires. This is not a temporary trend, it is a transformation that enables organizations to respond faster, perform better and stay ahead of the competition.”

Ready for a new phase of automation?

Hyperautomation offers companies the opportunity to not only improve their processes, but also to continue to grow in an increasingly rapidly changing business world. At Rapid Circle, we believe the key to success lies in understanding our customers’ challenges and applying the right technology to address them.

“By using technology to relieve people of routine tasks, we give them the opportunity to do things that really give them energy”, says Laurens. Hyperautomation is the solution for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Curious how hyperautomation can help your organization? Register for the webinar that we organize together with Microsoft.