GigaOm Key Criteria for Evaluating Enterprise Process Automation (EPA) Solutionsv1.0

An Evaluation Guide for Technology Decision-Makers

Table of Contents

  1. Executive Summary
  2. EPA Sector Brief
  3. Decision Criteria Analysis
  4. Analyst’s Outlook
  5. About Dana Hernandez

1. Executive Summary

Intelligent automation and hyperautomation have become technology buzzwords over the last few years—they represent the next evolutionary step following previous digital transformation efforts that were often piecemeal, proprietary, and brittle.

Enterprise process automation (EPA) solutions turn these buzzwords into reality, combining multiple automation technologies that have historically been purchased as separate tools—intelligent document processing (IDP), robotic process automation (RPA), and business process management (BPM)—into one solution infused with the additional powers of artificial intelligence.

EPA can revolutionize business processes and operations by taking on repetitive tasks like document processing and data entry as well as more complex scenarios with natural language processing (NLP) or AI/ML algorithms to handle customer interactions with no human intervention. EPA solutions enable the full end-to-end automation of both routine and non-routine tasks that previously required human intervention. In doing so, these tools improve efficiency, increase accuracy, and reduce costs.

Business Imperative
EPA solutions simplify and standardize processes, free up resources, and improve operational efficiencies across many parts of the business. Use cases vary across industries, but a common thread is that EPA tools enable companies to identify and prioritize business-critical processes, then implement automation on those processes using a consistent set of tools. This can speed business response times, reduce costs, and enable teams to focus on new opportunities.

Sector Adoption Score
To help executives and decision-makers assess the potential impact and value of an EPA solution deployment to the business, this GigaOm Key Criteria report provides a structured assessment of the EPA sector across five factors: benefit, maturity, urgency, impact, and effort. By scoring each factor based on how strongly it compels or deters adoption of EPA solutions, we provide an overall Sector Adoption Score (Figure 1) for EPA solutions of 4.4 out of 5, with 5 indicating the strongest possible recommendation to adopt. This indicates that an EPA solution is a credible candidate for deployment and worthy of thoughtful consideration.

The factors contributing to the Sector Adoption Score for EPA solutions are explained in more detail in the Sector Brief section that follows.

Key Criteria for Evaluating Enterprise Process Automation (EPA) Solutions

Sector Adoption Score

1.0

Deters
Adoption

Discourages
Adoption

Merits
Consideration

Encourages
Adoption

Compels
Adoption

Figure 1. Sector Adoption Score for EAP Solutions

This is the first year that GigaOm has reported on the EPA solution space in the context of our Key Criteria and Radar reports. This GigaOm Key Criteria report highlights the capabilities (table stakes, key features, and emerging features) and non-functional requirements (business criteria) for selecting an effective EPA solution. The companion GigaOm Radar report identifies vendors and products that excel in those capabilities and business criteria. Together, these reports provide an overview of the category and its underlying technology, identify leading EPA offerings, and help decision-makers evaluate these solutions so they can make a more informed investment decision.

GIGAOM KEY CRITERIA AND RADAR REPORTS

The GigaOm Key Criteria report provides a detailed decision framework for IT and executive leadership assessing enterprise technologies. Each report defines relevant functional and non-functional aspects of solutions in a sector. The Key Criteria report informs the GigaOm Radar report, which provides a forward-looking assessment of vendor solutions in the sector.

Full content available to GigaOm Subscribers.

Sign Up For Free