Imagine a business day where tasks are assigned seamlessly, deadlines are managed without a hitch, and teams collaborate effortlessly - no endless emails, no juggling between systems. And 50% of business leaders plan to leverage this into their organizations. That’s the reality workflow automation brings to the table. It’s no longer just about getting rid of repetitive tasks; it’s about fundamentally transforming the way organizations function, enabling them to move faster and smarter.  

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While automation has been steadily growing for nearly a decade now, the last few years have seen a massive change in how organizations adopt automation within their workflow. Businesses across industries seem to agree that it helps them save time, boost their productivity, and save money on unnecessary resources. 

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But what’s next? Automation continues to evolve, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. There are key trends shaping the future of workflow automation, redefining how business operations move forward.

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Top workflow automation trends for 2024

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Right now, with dual transformation becoming a major theme in the business world, organizations cannot afford to have their employees focus on repetitive manual tasks. To stay agile and competitive, it’s important to understand how workflow automation is evolving to keep aligned with future goals.

• Trend 1: No-Code/Low-Code automation platforms rise
  Traditionally, automation was the domain of IT professionals, with coding at its core. However, as startups, individual entrepreneurs, and different departments across organizations increasingly turn to automation, the availability of skilled IT professionals has become a bottleneck for its implementation and smooth functioning. This is where low-code or no-code automation platforms enter the picture. 
  
  These automation platforms eliminate the need for advanced coding skills. Although they are built on actual coding languages like Python, Java, or PHP, the end users don’t have to be experts in these. Instead, they usually offer a customizable drag & drop interface which makes it simple for working professionals without coding experience to use and make the most of it. Low-code/No-code platforms simplify the automation process and enable organizations to optimize operations without the need for a developer to implement these solutions/automation. 
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• Trend 2: AI-powered automation for predictive decision-making
  Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving the next wave of change in the automation industry. Though AI is not new, recent breakthroughs have made its integration with automation a powerful tool for businesses seeking efficiency and competitive advantage. 
  
  AI-powered workflow automation goes beyond simple task automation. It enhances decision-making with predictive analytics, learns from historical data, and optimizes workflows in real time. For instance, AI can analyze customer interactions or operational data to predict bottlenecks before they occur, helping businesses adjust strategies proactively. It can also suggest improvements in workflows, ensuring processes run more efficiently. As AI continues to evolve, integrating it into your automation strategy will become important to stay competitive in an increasingly dynamic market.

• ‍Trend 3: Integration of workflow automation with Internet of Things (IoT)
  IoT-enabled devices are transforming industries by allowing autonomous communication and real-time data exchange, making automation more powerful than ever. These devices can streamline operations, reduce costs, and save time, which is why many sectors have embraced IoT as a critical tool. These devices can enhance workflow automation by predicting risks, identifying errors, and monitoring equipment maintenance, regulatory compliance, and much more. 
  
  What’s more, IoT allows people to remotely operate machines from anywhere in the world, revolutionizing industries that have traditionally relied on manual labor. Examples of IoT-enabled devices include inventory management systems, barcode scanners, traffic cameras, and sensors for various measurements. McKinsey has predicted that 65% of IoT-produced value will be from B2B businesses by 2030.
  
  

• Trend 4: Security and compliance in automated workflows
  Security has long been a primary concern for people using automation and AI with sensitive data. However, this is changing as modern tools are increasingly designed with in-built improved security features. Today’s automation platforms offer advanced encryption, better access controls, and preset compliance management integrations to safeguard sensitive data and ensure adherence to regulatory standards.
  
  Organizations are now opting for tools that ensure compliance with policies like HIPPA and GDPR, to avoid any security infringement and regulatory penalties. Most automation tools have integrated advanced threat/risk detection features that ensure timely threat identification.
  
  

• Trend 5: Hyper-automation becomes mainstream
  Hyper-automation is a strategy that uses different technologies like AI, RPA (Robotic Process Automation), Machine Learning, and Low-code/no-code platforms together to automate workflow efficiently and speed up tasks. 
  
  Organizations are increasingly adopting hyper-automation as it enables the automation of end-to-end processes with minimal human intervention. It also enhances operational efficiency, while giving businesses a competitive edge by utilizing real-time data for smarter decision-making. Hyper-automation will prove to be beneficial for industries like banking, finance, retail, and healthcare. As this trend becomes mainstream, more sectors are expected to follow suit in adopting hyper-automation to drive innovation and efficiency.

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Your work doesn’t end at simply deploying automation tools, you also need to stay updated with the emerging trends to keep growing and updating your automation tools. Evolving at every step is the only way to lead in a hyper-competitive market. 

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Are you in the process of automating your workflow? Get expert tips from our team.

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