Introduction: Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Business Process Management
Business process management is experiencing a tectonic shift, driven by the rapid adoption of new technology, the evolution of regulations and the growing need for efficiency and transparency. Using advanced technology, such as AI-based analytics, automation and IoT, key players are competing for market leadership. These differentiators not only increase the efficiency of operations but also enable the organization to respond quickly to the market’s demands and thus shape its market position. As companies place increasing importance on sustainability, green IT is becoming an important selection criteria. In addition, growth opportunities are emerging, especially in Asia-Pacific and North America. Strategic deployments will reshape the competitive landscape until 2024–25. The C-levels need to keep a close eye on these developments to make the most of the shifting BPM landscape.
Competitive Positioning
Full-Suite Integrators
These vendors offer comprehensive BPM solutions that integrate various business processes into a unified platform.
| Vendor | Competitive Edge | Solution Focus | Regional Focus |
|---|
| IBM Corporation |
Strong AI and analytics capabilities |
Business Process Management |
Global |
| Oracle Corporation |
Robust cloud infrastructure |
Enterprise Resource Planning |
Global |
| Pegasystems Inc. |
Low-code application development |
Customer Engagement and BPM |
North America, Europe |
Specialized Technology Vendors
These vendors focus on niche BPM technologies, providing specialized solutions that enhance specific business processes.
| Vendor | Competitive Edge | Solution Focus | Regional Focus |
|---|
| Appian Corporation |
Rapid application development platform |
Low-code BPM |
North America, Europe |
| Software AG |
Integration and API management expertise |
Integration and BPM |
Global |
| Tibco Solution Inc. |
Real-time data integration |
Integration and analytics |
Global |
Infrastructure & Equipment Providers
These vendors provide the underlying infrastructure and tools necessary for effective BPM implementation.
| Vendor | Competitive Edge | Solution Focus | Regional Focus |
|---|
| Redhat, Inc. |
Open-source flexibility and support |
Cloud and container solutions |
Global |
| Open Text Corporation |
Enterprise information management |
Content management and BPM |
Global |
| Dell Emc |
Robust data storage solutions |
Infrastructure and cloud solutions |
Global |
Emerging Innovators
These vendors are focused on innovative BPM solutions, often targeting specific industries or unique business needs.
| Vendor | Competitive Edge | Solution Focus | Regional Focus |
|---|
| Verisae, Inc. |
Sustainability-focused BPM solutions |
Asset management and sustainability |
North America |
Emerging Players & Regional Champions
- The American company ProcessMaker, which is a low-code BPM platform that specializes in process automation and workflow management, has recently teamed up with a large health insurance company to facilitate the onboarding of new patients. It is a competitor to Appian, offering a more friendly and cheaper solution.
- Bizagi (UK): Offers a digital automation platform for process modelling and execution. Has recently won a contract with a government agency to improve public services. Presents itself as a strong alternative to traditional BPM solutions.
- KISSFLOW (INDIA): Provides a no-code platform for managing and collaborating on business processes. They have implemented their solutions for a number of SMEs in the region, complementing the offerings of the big players with their lower cost and easy-to-use products.
- Signavio (Germany): Specializes in process intelligence and management, recently acquired by SAP, enhancing its capabilities to integrate with SAP's ecosystem, thus challenging other established players by leveraging SAP's extensive customer base.
Regional Trends: In 2023, low-code and no-code BPM solutions will be the trend, especially in North America and Europe. In this way, companies will be able to give business users the power to automate processes without heavy IT involvement. Moreover, process intelligence and analytics will gain in importance, with companies adopting BPM solutions that provide more data-driven insights to guide their decision-making. As for the emerging players, they will succeed by focusing on niche markets and by providing industry-focused solutions.
Collaborations & M&A Movements
- IBM and ServiceNow entered into a partnership to integrate AI-driven automation solutions, aiming to enhance operational efficiency for enterprise clients and strengthen their competitive positioning in the BPM market.
- Salesforce acquired Slack Technologies to bolster its collaboration tools, thereby expanding its BPM capabilities and enhancing its market share against competitors like Microsoft.
- SAP and Microsoft announced a strategic collaboration to integrate SAP Business Technology Platform with Microsoft Azure, facilitating seamless data management and improving their competitive stance in the cloud BPM sector.
Competitive Summary Table
| Capability | Leading Players | Remarks |
|---|
| Biometric Self-Boarding |
NEC Corporation, Gemalto |
NEC has implemented biometric self-boarding solutions at major airports, enhancing passenger flow and reducing wait times. Gemalto's technology integrates seamlessly with existing systems, providing a user-friendly experience. |
| AI-Powered Ops Mgmt |
IBM, UiPath |
IBM's Watson AI is utilized for predictive analytics in operations management, allowing for real-time decision-making. UiPath offers RPA solutions that automate repetitive tasks, significantly improving operational efficiency. |
| Border Control |
Thales Group, SITA |
Thales provides advanced border control solutions that leverage AI for threat detection, while SITA's Smart Border technology enhances processing speed and accuracy at checkpoints. |
| Sustainability |
SAP, Microsoft |
SAP's sustainability solutions help organizations track and reduce their carbon footprint, while Microsoft's cloud services enable businesses to implement eco-friendly practices efficiently. |
| Passenger Experience |
Amadeus, Travelport |
Amadeus focuses on enhancing the passenger journey through personalized services and seamless integration of travel data. Travelport's platform offers innovative solutions that improve customer engagement and satisfaction. |
Conclusion: Navigating the BPM Competitive Landscape
The BPM market will be characterized by a very strong competition and fragmentation in 2023, with both established and new players competing for market share. Among the trends in the regions is the growing emphasis on digital transformation, especially in North America and Europe, where BPM solutions are increasingly being used to improve operational efficiency. Consequently, to meet evolving customer needs, vendors will strategically position themselves with new capabilities, such as artificial intelligence, automation and sustainable solutions. As the market matures, the ability to adapt to changing business environments will become an important differentiating factor. Hence, it is important for decision-makers to align their BPM strategies with these capabilities to ensure leadership in this rapidly changing landscape.
