Digital Process Automation Market Trends

Introduction

As we delve into the DPA market in 2022, several macro-level trends are influencing the market’s direction. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are enabling companies to automate complex processes, thereby enhancing efficiency and accuracy. Meanwhile, regulatory pressures are forcing companies to adopt more transparent and compliant business frameworks, making DPAs an essential risk-management tool. Moreover, changes in customer behavior—as they demand faster and more individualized service—are forcing companies to rethink their operational strategies. These trends are strategically important for DPA vendors because they not only highlight the need for innovation and agility in business processes, but also highlight the value of DPAs in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Top Trends

1. Increased Adoption of AI and Machine Learning
   Machine learning and artificial intelligence are being increasingly incorporated into digital process automation strategies. For example, the IBM Watson cognitive system has been used to enhance the decision-making processes of a number of industries. According to a study, some 70 percent of companies are already investing in artificial intelligence (AI) to improve their operational efficiency. This trend is expected to continue as AI technology becomes more sophisticated and can automate even more complex tasks.
2. Focus on Low-Code/No-Code Platforms
   The rise of low-code and no-code platforms is transforming the way businesses automate. Appian and Pega are leading this transformation, enabling non-technical users to create applications. Research shows that organizations using low-code platforms can reduce development time by up to 80 percent. This trend towards democratization of development is likely to continue, and it will accelerate the pace of innovation and agility in business processes.
3. Integration of RPA with DPA
   RPA and DPA are increasingly used to automate work processes. Oracle, for example, has combined RPA with its cloud services to optimize its operations. RPA and DPA can be used to achieve up to a 50% speed-up in process execution. The trend towards more seamless and efficient business processes is expected to continue.
4. Emphasis on Customer Experience
   The automation of the customer experience is the focus of many organizations. DPA is the technology of choice for this automation. Companies like Newgen are able to deliver a personalized customer journey. It has been shown that organizations that focus on customer experience see a customer satisfaction increase of between 10 and 15 percent. This trend will certainly lead to further investment in automation to improve the customer experience.
5. Cloud-Based Automation Solutions
   The automation of cloud-based solutions is reshaping the DPA landscape. The platforms offered by Software AG and Open Text are cloud-native and offer scalability and flexibility. According to studies, the cost of IT can be reduced by up to 30 percent through cloud migration. This trend will intensify as companies increasingly seek to improve their digital environment and support their remote working.
6. Enhanced Data Analytics Capabilities
   Data analysis is a growing part of DPA. It is helping to make data-driven decisions. Companies like TIBCO are offering advanced analytics tools that integrate with automation processes. Using advanced analytics can improve operational performance by up to 20 per cent. This trend will increase as more and more companies want to understand their automation processes.
7. Regulatory Compliance Automation
   With the increasing pressure from regulators, the automation of compliance processes is gaining momentum. For example, DST Systems has developed solutions for automating the reporting of regulatory information. It has been found by statistical analysis that automation of the regulatory reporting process can reduce audit preparation time by up to 40%. And this trend will increase as the regulatory environment becomes more complex and demanding.
8. Collaboration Between IT and Business Units
   IT and business units are increasingly collaborating to drive DPA projects. DXC can help ensure that their automation goals are aligned. IT and business alignment can improve project success rates by as much as 25 percent. This trend is expected to lead to a more integrated approach to automation across the organization.
9. Sustainability and Green Automation
   The question of the reduction of the carbon footprint is a major concern in the automation strategy of companies. Bizagi, for example, is advocating the implementation of green automation practices, reducing the use of resources. According to research, the sustainable practices can lead to a 15% reduction in operating costs. This trend is expected to grow, as companies strive to meet the goals of the environment.
10. Continuous Process Improvement
    The trend in industry is to improve the quality of the process through automation. The tools provided by companies such as Bonitasoft make it possible to keep on optimising the automation. It has been shown that companies which have a continuous improvement policy can improve their productivity by up to thirty per cent. This trend will continue, because in a rapidly changing market the companies need to be competitive.

Conclusion: Navigating the Digital Process Landscape

The digital process automation market in 2022 will be characterized by high competition and significant fragmentation, with both established and new players competing for market share. In the region, the automation solutions will gain in importance, while the Asia-Pacific region will rapidly adopt new technology. Strategically, suppliers must strategically position themselves with artificial intelligence, advanced automation, sustainable initiatives and flexible operations. In order to remain relevant, the established players must develop their solutions, while new players are establishing themselves with agile solutions. In the end, the ability to combine these capabilities will be decisive for leadership in the future.