Automation in tech is growing popular thanks to the many advantages it offers. For the longest time, only those in tech could use automation. The coding skills needed for automation limited its use in other industries.
Also, other industries didn’t recognize the importance of automation. But, that isn’t the case anymore. Automation is now more accessible than ever. Several industries are taking advantage of it to smoothen their operations.
Let’s look at the newest trends in automation in 2022!
Table of Contents
1. The Rise of Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Businesses use RPA to document the various operations they conduct. In this way, they use RPA to manage their resources better. Good resource management makes it easier for businesses to meet their strategic objectives.
Experts predict that RPA-related services could touch $22 billion within 3 years. This growth is thanks to the fact that RPA makes platform convergence easier.
Several industries like banking and insurance are using RPA to automate their operations. But, companies in these sectors need guidewire testing solutions for their RPA to run. These solutions support system upgradation and lower maintenance costs.
They also help companies maintain a pretty high level of product conformance. They allow you to implement guidewire at every stage of automation. Besides, guidewire testing companies offer you a wealth of insurance knowledge as well.
RPA is a solid automation solution because it’s been around for a while now. It came from Machine Learning (ML) in the 1990s. ML allowed computers to automate tasks that companies previously used staff to perform.
The repetitive functions of RPA made it the building block of automating simple tasks in various industries. It helped reduce the dependency on manual labour over the decades since its introduction.
RPA isn’t the only software available to companies, though. The other platforms include the following:
- BPA – Business Process Integration
- iPaaS – Integration Platforms as a Service
- LCAP – Low-Code Application Platforms
- AI – Artificial Platforms
- RPA – Robotic Process Automation
These platforms are competing to be the software other technologies center around. RPA isn’t among the fastest growing automation platforms out there, it’s now the fastest. These solutions are especially useful for companies working in the insurance sector.
The increase in demand for automation in organizations is boosting the growth of RPA. The growth is such that automation is now synonymous with RPA across many industries.
2. The Introduction of the CSO
The CSO (Chief Sustainability Officer) helps consumers limit their impact on the environment. Companies across several industries are growing more conscious of their surroundings.
The role of the CSO is helping companies adopt sustainable approaches to operations. There has been an increase in employment of CSOs of over 200% over the past few years.
It’s costly for organizations to hire CSOs, but it may prove useful in the long run. The reason we mention CSOs as an automation trend is simple. These officers are relying on automation to support their operations.
Automation assists them in lowering an organization’s carbon footprint. It also allows them to use more complex methods to reduce a company’s impact on the environment.
Automation can help power data centers that hold vital information. In this way, automation can reduce dependency on other means to store and process data. CSOs use this technology to increase the operational efficiency of their companies.
Businesses are now incorporating CSOs into their core operations. In turn, these CSOs are relying on automation to help them gain easy access to data. This access to data enables them to keep track of the energy expenditure of an organization.
It also helps them keep track of a company’s waste generation. But, not everything is rosy for CSOs wishing to use automation.
With the introduction of new platforms ever so often, it’s becoming difficult for them to pick the right one. Comparing different automation platforms in big organizations can present problems. Constant comparison can slow down the implementation of new sustainability methods.
But, the answer to this predicament could be simple. CSOs can choose one platform at the beginning of a year and stick with it for as long as workable.
3. The Increase in Flexibility from Cloud-Based Architectural Innovation
Automation technology should provide users with the same functionality across different locations. Customers should be able to run an automation platform wherever they want.
Cloud architecture is useful for those wanting to expand their operations. Customers often wish to expand operations based on increased computing demand. No two clouds in automation are alike. But, you’ll find a handful of clouds that companies prefer.
This architecture reduces the workload on IT services. It can also streamline the delivery of applications. In doing so, it helps companies reduce costs. It also makes governance easy across a cloud environment.
But, this isn’t always easy to achieve. Several companies have to adopt cloud architecture to enable easy delivery for customers. Customers shouldn’t need special skills to transition to a different automation platform.
The same goes for bringing improvements to their operational procedures. If a customer wants to improve these procedures, they shouldn’t have to switch delivery modes.
Latest innovations in the industry offer solutions for the same. These innovations offer greater flexibility to those wishing to use automation platforms. Automation companies are building different platforms to deal with this increase in demand.
Those using this architecture to upload data will find it simple to update their systems. Several large companies are taking advantage of this off late.
For instance, Microsoft is now using cloud-based architecture for Xbox consoles. This development would allow users to play Xbox games across different devices.
Many other companies are uploading their data to clouds following Microsoft’s example. Uploading their data to the cloud would allow for easier integration and storage. It even allows for minimal effort and skill needed to install new platforms.
4. Innovations in Smart Fabrics
Smart fabrics are revolutionizing the intersection of technology and textiles, integrating sensors and other electronic components to create clothing that responds to environmental stimuli. These innovations are seeing applications in health monitoring, where fabrics can track vital signs, and in fashion, where they change color or pattern based on temperature or light.
Future advancements include energy-harvesting textiles that can charge devices, and fabrics with enhanced durability and self-repair capabilities. The integration of IoT with smart fabrics is also opening up possibilities for interactive, connected clothing.
5. Collaborative Robots (Cobots)
Cobots are designed to work alongside humans in shared workspaces, enhancing safety and efficiency. They are increasingly being adopted in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and retail for tasks like assembly, packaging, and customer service.
Unlike traditional robots, cobots are more adaptable, can be easily programmed for a variety of tasks, and often come equipped with advanced safety features. The rise of cobots represents a shift towards more flexible, interactive, and collaborative forms of automation in the workplace.
6. Blockchain in Automation
Blockchain technology is becoming a vital tool in automation, particularly for enhancing transparency and security in processes like supply chain management and financial transactions. Its decentralized nature ensures data integrity and traceability, reducing the risk of fraud and errors.
Industries are exploring blockchain for automating contracts (smart contracts), ensuring secure and transparent data sharing, and improving overall operational efficiency. This integration is particularly transformative in sectors where trust and data accuracy are paramount.
Conclusion
It’s not surprising that industries (apart from the IT industry) rely on automation nowadays. Industries like banking, insurance, gaming, medicine, etc. are using automation to collect data.
They’re also using automation to store and upload data across different platforms. The ease with which companies can access this data is incomparable. Companies can use this data to draw accurate conclusions.
So, they can use the data to make important strategic decisions. These decisions include cutting down on costs in the long run using automation. But, remember that testing automated software is as important as installing it.
After all, with large data input comes a large risk of losing or mishandling it. So, it’s important to keep consumer data safe and software running smoothly.