RPA and automation predictions for 2020

2019 was a big year for RPA, and automation in general, and 2020 promises to be even bigger. 

As the market continues to mature, the pace of adoption is only set to accelerate. Large vendors will begin to consolidate the market and RPA will go from a ‘could have’ to a ‘must have’, with automation becoming an integral part of almost every business strategy. 

At the moment there is still confusion about where the traditional ‘worker’ fits into the envisioned automated future but I believe 2020 will begin to make this clear: with new job roles, new technology and a wide-scale acceptance of the oncoming transformation of how we live and work.

Here are my three biggest predictions for the year ahead: 

1. Young workers will drive automation growth

Since the beginning of time, repetitive and monotonous work has been part and parcel of human life. Young people entering the workforce were raised to expect and accept it. Now, with the explosion of the automation market, we are at a time in our history where repetitive work does not require human intervention. 2020 will mark a transformative year in the attitudes of the workforce towards repetitive tasks and jobs. Young people starting their first jobs will not be burdened by the manual work of the past and will be aware that automation is not only possible, but an extremely feasible solution to business problems. This new generation will be the catalyst for a worldwide metamorphosis in the way we approach our work. 

2. Business strategies will become ‘automation first’

As more and more people become aware of the growing power of machines, and see the business potential of RPA initiatives, automation will become an integral part of business strategy. It will no longer be a case of ‘how can we trial automation?’, but rather, ‘how can we afford not to use it?’. The core of modern business will revolve around an intricate system of automated processes that provide the lifeblood to higher value and more creative projects, allowing human workers to focus on growth and expression.

3. Automation will begin to transform the world 

Automation, and in particular RPA, will no longer just be a tool that improves businesses. As awareness of its potential grows we will begin to see a larger discussion around the effects automation will have on society – with practical answers beginning to emerge. Regulations and policies will start to appear and a wider discussion of how we can manage automation – and how we can better integrate with it – will start to drip-feed into the public consciousness, further accelerating growth.

It’s an extremely exciting time to be part of such a flourishing industry and next year promises to be the best yet. I wish you all the best with your endeavours going into the new year and please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions regarding your RPA projects in 2020.