AUTOMATION & RPA

Workflow Automation

Automation & RPA

Definition

Workflow automation is the design and automatic execution of sequences of business activities. For example: when an order arrives, the system checks customer credit, verifies availability, generates the order confirmation, and notifies the warehouse. Tools like n8n, Zapier, and Make allow building complex workflows without writing code.

Related terms

Tools & Platforms

n8n

n8n is an open source automation platform that allows connecting hundreds of services and creating automated workflows with a visual interface. Unlike Zapier and Make, n8n can be self-hosted (installed on your own servers), offering total control over data. It is the preferred tool for complex business automations involving AI.

Tools & Platforms

Zapier

Zapier is the most popular no-code platform for automating workflows between web applications. It connects over 6,000 apps with 'if X happens, do Y' logic. For SMEs, Zapier allows quickly automating tasks such as: syncing contacts between forms and CRM, notifying the team on Slack when an order arrives, generating automatic reports.

Tools & Platforms

Make (formerly Integromat)

Make is a visual automation platform that allows building complex workflows with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. It offers more flexibility than Zapier for complex scenarios such as loops, multiple conditions, and error handling. For SMEs needing more sophisticated automations without writing code, Make is an excellent choice.

EXPLORE

More terms in Automation & RPA

RPA (Robotic Process Automation)

RPA is the technology that uses 'software robots' to automate repetitive tasks normally performed by people: copying data between systems, filling out forms, generating reports. It does not require changes to existing systems because it interacts with interfaces as a user would. For SMEs, it is the fastest way to automate processes without changing the management software.

Process Mining

Process mining is the technique that analyzes information system logs to reconstruct and visualize business processes as they actually occur, not as they should occur. It reveals bottlenecks, deviations, and hidden inefficiencies. It is the ideal starting point before automating: it shows where automation would bring the greatest benefit.

Task Mining

Task mining observes how users interact with the computer (clicks, typing, navigating between applications) to identify repetitive tasks that can be automated. Unlike process mining which analyzes system logs, task mining captures employees' daily work. It reveals automations that no manager would see by analyzing only official processes.

Intelligent Automation

Intelligent automation combines RPA with AI to automate not just repetitive tasks but also those requiring comprehension and decision-making. A 'classic' RPA bot copies data; an intelligent automation reads an invoice, understands its content, decides how to classify it, and registers it in the management system. It is the natural evolution of RPA for mature companies.

Hyperautomation

Hyperautomation is the strategy of automating as many business processes as possible by combining AI, RPA, process mining, and low-code tools. It is not about automating a single task but rethinking entire end-to-end workflows. Gartner identifies it as a mega technology trend. For SMEs, it is a medium-term goal after the first pilot automations.

Bot

A bot is a software program that performs automated tasks. In the RPA context, a bot replicates user actions on desktop or web applications. In the chatbot context, a bot manages conversations with users. Bots can operate 24/7 without breaks, process volumes that would be impossible manually, and reduce human errors.

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