Automation has emerged as a transformation tool designed to increase business agility. As its popularity has grown, there is now a need to orchestrate the processes, people, systems, and robots that facilitate them. It is also a major topic because orchestration concentrates the greatest added value in terms of efficiency, agility and improved customer experience. In this article, we focus on clarifying the difference between automation and process orchestration to help you design your digital transformation strategy.
What is process automation?
Business process automation is used for automate all tasks related to a process : data processing, the rules to follow, their execution and integration, in order to create business applications. These are created using platforms Low-code such as that of our partner Bizagi. It all starts with a process model, which is used to document, simulate, and improve the process before automating it. The model then becomes the basis for the future application.
These apps Low-code are faster to build and easier to modify than those created using traditional coding. Thus, the platforms Low-code allow non-coders to collaborate with IT teams and contribute to the creation of the application through very intuitive interfaces.
Why orchestrate a business process?
The term “orchestration” has its roots in music, but it is useful in the context of organizing complex business transactions. More concretely, it refers to the combining several elements in order to produce a combined global effect.
Therefore, process orchestration refers to the ability to use technology to organize its multiple components : people, systems, data, and robots. It thus provides IT teams with global visibility into the various systems used to perform automation tasks and how they are connected.
Orchestration vs automation
Although the terms “automation” and “orchestration” are often used interchangeably, Automation is actually a subset of orchestration.
Indeed, when it comes to automating multiple business processes of varying complexity on a large scale, it is orchestration that provides visibility and control needed to achieve the optimal organization - by connecting activities across teams, sites, and time zones.
So orchestration is more complex than automation. It coordinates tasks, integrates systems, makes decisions based on results, and adapts to conditions. Its aim is to provide an overview of automation technologies in the business, including the Low-code, the RPA, AI, and existing systems.
Why is orchestration essential in your digital transformation strategy?
- Strengthened governance and security
Orchestration allows IT teams to manage centrally all automated processes in the organization. This increases transparency and governance and minimizes the risk of failure or lack of coordination. Centralizing process applications also allows IT to manage permissions in order to strengthen security.
- Coordinate IT resources
Automating processes within a single platform allows a efficient use of IT infrastructure and resources because your IT team doesn't have to monitor and patch multiple applications all the time.
- Adopting new technologies
The coordination of computer applications makes it possible toeasily integrate new systems into existing infrastructure.
- Improving productivity and employee satisfaction
Employees can complete tasks in a single interface instead of having to connect to multiple systems, saving them time. Therefore, they can focus on tasks with higher added value and unleash their potential.
About StoryShaper:
StoryShaper is an innovative start-up that supports its customers in defining their digital strategy and the development of automation solutions tailor-made.
Sources: StoryShaper, Bizagi
