Essential automation insights from Q2 21

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In this Tech Quarterly

With the growing adoption of RPA around the world, Google has taken steps to make it part of its product portfolio. The growth in RPA, along with other technologies like AI and low-code automation, is also predicted to drive ‘hyperautomation’, while demand for digital automation skills in the UK is set to rise.

02/07/2021

 

Essential automation insights from Q2 21

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Aled Herbert
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Essential automation insights from Q2 21

02/07/2021 |

 

1. Google and Automation Anywhere partner on RPA

Google is collaborating with RPA provider Automation Anywhere to accelerate the adoption of RPA with enterprises “on a global scale”. The Automation Anywhere platform will be made available on Google Cloud and the two companies will work together to develop AI- and RPA-powered solutions that they can take to market.

2. Digital automation skills increasingly in demand, research finds

Demand for digital automation skills in the UK will double by the end of 2021 compared to pre-pandemic figures, according to research from specialist recruiter Robert Half and labour market analytics provider Burning Glass. And the need for automation proficiency is actually increasing faster in non-technical roles than in traditional IT roles.

3. Hyperautomation to be driven by low-code, RPA and AI, Gartner says

Analyst Gartner predicts significant growth for technology – including RPA, low-code automation, AI and virtual assistants – that enables organisations to rapidly identify, vet and automate business processes. It estimates the market for these technologies will reach $596 billion in 2022, up 24 per cent from 2020.

4. Schneider Electric pushes for universal industrial automation

Industrial technology provider Schneider Electric has called for collaboration to develop universal industrial automation as part of efforts to drive global economic recovery and make industry more sustainable. Schneider Electric’s Peter Herweck said the full potential of technology like robotics, machine learning and the Internet of Things “can’t be realised within closed industrial systems”.

5. Report: CIOs in Europe underprepared for automation

According to a recent Forrester report, 76 per cent of European business leaders believe they are underprepared for automation deployment – putting them behind North America and Asia Pacific in terms of automation preparedness. Just 20 per cent of European CIOs said they truly understand how automation can improve their business processes and accelerate growth.

6. RPA platform UiPath hits $35 billion valuation

RPA player UiPath announced it had closed on $750 million in Series F funding, giving it a post-money valuation of $35 billion. The financing brings the New York-based company’s total raised to nearly $2 billion since inception, according to Crunchbase.

7. Automation Is essential for two-thirds of SMEs, report finds

A new report by SME automation specialist Zapier suggests automation has become a necessity for SMEs, as it allows them to quickly adapt to unexpected crises and compete with larger businesses. Automation also enables employees to spend more time on creative and strategic projects, the report notes.

8. Licence-free RPA platforms offer significant cost savings

The use of licence-free RPA platforms is estimated to save around 30 per cent for large companies and 50 per cent or more for small companies, according to software vendor IBA Group. While traditional RPA platforms require customers to pay an annual licence fee, this type of RPA platform requires the customer to pay only for the development and deployment of RPA bots.

9. ServiceNow adds RPA to workflow capabilities

Digital workflow software provider ServiceNow has acquired RPA developer Intellibot, which makes technology to help organisations streamline and automate repetitive processes. Josh Kahn, senior VP of Creator Workflow Products at ServiceNow, said Intellibot’s capabilities are “highly complementary to ServiceNow’s core IT workflows”.

10. No-code security automation platform Tines raises Series B funding

Tines, which provides a platform for no-code security automation, has raised a $26 million Series B funding round led by Addition. This round brings the total funding in the company to $41.1 million, valuing Tines at $300 million. Tines’ platform combines security orchestration and RPA with a low-code/no-code user interface.

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