The term “Intelligent BPM” raises an obvious question; what makes it
“intelligent” in contrast to traditional BPM? The terminology may seem
vague, but an attempt can be made to pin down a more exact
definition.
Companies are increasingly looking to optimise their business process
management by combining analytic tools, real-time data collection and
mobile UX into their working practices. With these features working
alongside and interacting with traditional elements of BPM such as
process design and workflow management, a clearer picture of what makes
intelligent BPM different emerges.
The primary aim of conventional BPM has been to reduce overheads by
cost saving through efficiency, but intelligent BPM goes a step further
by helping companies adapt to changing markets and engage more
effectively with staff and customers.
Integrating analytics
The incorporation of analytic tools into everyday business processes
differs from the traditional approach of using a separate platform to
analyse data and plan ahead. Ideally, intelligent BPM enables system
users at all levels to make more accurate and relevant judgements based
on a wide range of information.
At a glance, staff can be alerted to errors and bottlenecks before
they cause further problems, through an interface that prioritises the
most urgent information. With specific, relevant statistics at hand,
work methods can be continuously improved according to a clear
understanding of what is and isn’t working.
Extending service to mobile users
Extending the reach of your BPM to users on mobile devices such as
smartphones and tablets provides more than convenience, it can have the
potential to open new ways of working and connecting with clients
completely.
Staff can be involved with complex projects and decision making on
the move. If employees are updating information on appointments and
tasks while they work off-site, then data can be continuously gathered
in real time.
Handling complexity
While there is no black and white definition of what makes a system
“complex”, organisations increasingly require BPM platforms to be cable
of handling larger and more varied sets of data in sophisticated ways.
As your company grows, you may find keeping up the pace of change less
of a challenge with the right tools.
API technology allows for information from external sources (for
example, a client with an entirely different system) to be integrated
into your own business processes.
Rather than focus on what makes a system “intelligent”, potential
BPM adopters should really be considering what their specific business
requirements are, and how technology can fulfil them. In the end, these
decisions will hinge on a tradeoff between ease-of-use, cost and
complexity.
SwiftCase is a powerful, cloud-based business process management
platform featuring analytic tools, a mobile-ready interface, API integration and more. Get in touch today, for a free, no-obligation demonstration.