The search for better, more efficient business operations through automation is a bit like the search for the holy grail…it’s a search without an end, but what adventures one meets along the way!
In the search for better, more efficient business operations, there are multiple opportunities to meet a challenge here, defeat an obstacle there, and yes, actually improve those processes along the way.
Just as no two adventures are the same, no two business processes are the same. That means that off-the-shelf or out-of-the-box solutions may not be an optimal choice for many competitive enterprises, which is feeding a growing demand for tailored solutions that cater to specific business needs.
A cost-effective, fully customized business solution does sound a bit like a legend, but it's an achievable one…not through expensive custom development from the ground up, but through tailored solutions built on BPM platform solutions. Optimal process automation outcomes really do exist!
So how to choose wisely? Let’s have a look at process automation platforms and how they are linked to customized automation solutions.
BPM software is designed to customize process automation on 3 levels
BPM, or business process management, platforms have been around for several decades, and their use for process automation has kept up with technical advancements. They are used to build applications, and essentially they support automation at three essential levels. Solutions can be customized at each level.
Level 1 automation & customization: BPM platforms use a dedicated engine to automate a process model
BPM software provides developers with the tools to visually model an existing process - or design a new business process - end-to-end. Where there are steps that can be automated or accomplished by software, the BPM platform provides a means to connect and instruct those actions. Where there are steps that must be done by humans, there are means to connect user interfaces. The embedded BPM engine can then run the process through each of the steps in the model. This is the first level of automation - start or instantiate the process through some action and let it progress automatically step by step.
Modern BPM platforms provide a design studio with drag-and-drop tools to model a business process visually. Both the development and business teams can quickly become familiar with the widely used visual “language” of BPM, based on the BPMN 2.0 standard, which is basically a flow chart with symbols that define specific behavior of the BPM engine. BPMN models can even be exchangeable among platforms (under some conditions).
Customization at this level involves the way your business processes work within your company. Core business processes are often a source of competitive advantage, so tailoring them though automation can be a strategic objective.
Level 2 automation & customization: BPM platforms interface and interact with enterprise information systems and software
The next level of automation requires those connections for steps that are intended to be completed by software. This can include acquiring, fetching, storing, and manipulating data, interacting with external systems, sending and receiving communications, and so on. It can also include robotic process automation (RPA) which takes over repetitive tasks that could have been done previously by human actions. This level of automation requires integration so the BPM software communicates effectively with other software and systems.
A truly flexible platform that supports extensive customization needs to be extensible, that is, interoperable with other systems. Extension points, tooling, frameworks, and templates provide “low-code” support so developers can create connectors using APIs, for example. A hidden aspect of a BPM platform is that it can also be used to interface with legacy systems that don’t have dedicated APIs, using custom connectors and coding.
Customization at this level of automatization addresses the fact that every organization has its unique technical stack, which may include legacy software, external systems, other PaaS, services, microservices, and more - they can be quite complex and critical to the business. Tailoring automation solutions absolutely requires that all of your systems can be taken into account as needed.
Level 3 automation & customization: BPM platforms can assist humans in the process
And the third level of automation involves the user interfaces, for the steps that need human intervention. This includes web forms and automated help, as well as RPA to assist with some human-directed tasks.
Extension points in a full-featured BPM platform also include a means to integrate user experience that may be developed externally, so what the end user sees can be entirely customized with corporate branding, look and feel, and other consistencies that are unique to the enterprise.
At the third level of automation, flexible BPM platforms enable deep customization through the tools they provide to developers to integrate humans, systems, and workflows into smooth operations.
Clearly, customization goes beyond just configuring optimal workflows – it involves tailoring the entire automation solution to fit the unique requirements of your business. BPM platforms, which offer both speed and efficiency through low-code tools for development and customization, are an automation option worth looking into no matter what your unique requirements demand.
Addressing unique business needs through a BPM platform
The flexibility of a BPM platform for process automation customization also means that it can be used to address the diverse needs of businesses across various industries (for example, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, logistics & supply chain, energy & utilities) and for scenarios where customization is crucial (such as for complex and industry-specific processes, compliance and regulatory requirements, integration with existing systems).
Using a one-size-fits-all approach for a loan approval process, for example, is certainly possible. But if there are a number of banks using exactly the same process, where is the commercial advantage that might attract new customers? The core process for scheduling downtime for equipment maintenance might be similar across several manufacturers, but where is the efficiency in using a generic process for equipment that has unique characteristics? Even something as simple as order entry can begin with a plain vanilla process (and maybe that’s an excellent place to start!) but if the automated application based on the process can’t be tailored to your organization and your requirements for audit and control, inefficiencies can lead to noncompliance.
Customization allows your organization to address your specific pain points and capitalize on your unique strengths. For example, pulling together a proposal in response to an RFP or tender may use a standardized process, while still allowing the team to access specific elements of the business to create a competitive, tailored offer that is unique to their strengths. Or responding to an insurance claim in a way that is prompt and accurate based on internal policies and standards.
Automate and customize - an effort that pays off
Customization of business processes is a strategic approach to process automation, one that offers benefits beyond what pre-built solutions are able to deliver. Tailoring critical business processes through the use of a BPM platform supports competitive advantage and market competitiveness.
It’s worthwhile to explore the potential of customization together with process automation initiatives, when one platform offers the possibility to do both, while also offering a means to optimize for efficiency.
Unlike off-the-shelf solutions and low-code for “citizen developer” solutions, developer-friendly BPM platforms like Bonita offer interfaces and intuitive tools that make customization manageable and cost-effective.
While a perfect solution may remain out of reach like that famous grail, nevertheless the search to find it can result in neatly tailored, highly automated, and optimized business applications with an ROI that makes the effort worthwhile.
In-house development can offer businesses significant advantages concerning flexibility, customization, control, and security. At Bonitasoft, we are experts in automation and can provide you with tailored solutions to meet your specific business needs. We’ve built our BPM-based business process automation platform to accelerate business process application delivery for efficiency, continuous improvement, and innovation. Bonita’s flexibility and platform extensibility equips professional developers and DevOps teams with powerful tools to develop highly customized, fully integrated business applications faster.
Here are 3 ways to learn more:
- Build highly personalized, process-based applications today, for free, with our open-source Bonita Community Edition.
- See how you can reinvent your business processes with BPM. Watch our on-demand Bonita Platform Demo.
- Interested in full project lifecycle support and services from development to operations? Try unlocking the power of Bonita Enterprise Edition. Contact us today or explore our solutions to learn more about unlocking the full potential of process automation.
Bonitasoft knows its business. This article was not created with the use of artificial language technology.
