Mountains of paperwork. Hundreds of customer inquiries. Your team spend hours on these repetitive yet critical tasks — work that slows them down and drains focus from more valuable priorities.
It might seem that there’s no solution to this issue, but not anymore.
Recent technological advancements, especially in artificial intelligence, have brought us AI-driven business process automation.
What is business process automation?
Business Process Automation (BPA) is all about using technology to streamline and automate repetitive tasks. It’s like using a calculator instead of solving equations manually — a faster and easier alternative that doesn’t leave room for human error.
However, a traditional, rule-based approach will help only with very simple tasks with no room for flexible outcomes. AI-powered process automation, on the other hand, is more flexible. Think chatbots or document processing tools.
According to Gartner, about 80% of companies are integrating process automation. Half of them are already on their way to automate all repetitive tasks.
Nicolas Kirchmayr, Head of Business Transformation at Marquardt Group, has recently shared his insights into BPA in a TEDx.
BPA is widely used across all industries, but does it really have a positive impact on businesses? Take a look at the real-world examples.
See also: From legacy to learning: Modernising systems with AI integration
Big impact: 5 business process automation examples
AI-powered BPA leaves a lasting impact on businesses by enabling them to move from drowning in millions of tedious tasks to streamlining workflows.
This claim is supported by real-world examples of productivity improvement and cost savings from implementing business process automation. Here are some of them.
Telefónica brings automation to customer service
Telefónica Tech, a specialist provider of integrated technology solutions, has launched a new generative AI platform to improve customer service operations.
The platform enables businesses to add customised virtual assistants into their workflow. These assistants can automate tasks, such as resolving customer queries and supporting internal processes.
The platform integrates with multiple communication tools, business software, and information repositories. It also allows users to monitor virtual assistants in real-time to ensure their efficient work.
Despite the initial focus on customer service, Telefónica Tech aims to expand the platform for broader applications to provide even more customers with efficient AI-powered solutions.
Automating supply chain operations: DHL’s success story
DHL brings automation and sustainability to their operations with a new strategic initiative. In a recent interview, the President of Packaging, Alicemarie Geoffrion, talked about the goals DHL has.
Our goal is to provide end-to-end packaging services, mostly inside a distribution centre, to save on transportation and costs and make it a more sustainable solution for the customer. We’re talking materials management through production and fulfilment.
This approach involves materials management, demand planning, sourcing, purchasing, and packaging processes.
With the direct integration of packaging solutions into their 549 distribution centres, DHL can customise packaging on-site, improving efficiency and streamlining workflow.
AI-powered ice cream supply chain: Unilever’s success story
Unilever is using AI to streamline its ice cream supply chain to improve forecasting accuracy, reduce waste, and boost sales. Currently, Unilever uses AI to improve operations, such as:
Weather-responsive forecasting: Since ice cream demand is influenced by weather, AI analyses weather data to adjust sales forecasts and distribution plans.
AI-powered freezers: Unilever has used AI technology to monitor stock levels in real time. Using AI in this way has led to sales growth of up to 30% in certain markets, such as Denmark, since popular products are consistently available to customers.
Optimised production efficiency: AI systems monitor and adjust production variables to minimise waste and enhance production efficiency. This approach has resulted in up to 10% savings on key raw materials, contributing to more sustainable manufacturing processes.
Agile inventory management: AI integration empowers dynamic inventory reallocation to address unexpected demand surges and ensure product availability.
Coca-Cola’s automated marketing and sales operations
Coca-Cola has integrated AI in multiple operational processes to understand customer behaviour and enhance engagement. At the moment, there are two main applications.
AI analysis of customer preferences
Coca-Cola is using AI analysis of customer preferences and behaviour through their Freestyle vending machines. These machines collect data on the combination of drinks a customer prefers and use this data to generate insights for the development of new products.
Additionally, AI analyses social media content to collect data on how, when, and where Coca-Cola’s products are consumed.
Based on the collected data, the enterprise business can create targeted marketing and new product offerings.
AI-powered loyalty programs
Coca-Cola has implemented optical character recognition (OCR) technology to improve its loyalty programs.
The technology allows customers to scan product codes from bottle caps using their smartphones, simplifying reward earnings.
Mayo Clinic’s AI-driven tools to streamline medical operations
Mayo Clinic, a private American medical centre, is developing AI-powered tools, such as Ophthalmology Parametric Universal Search (OPUS), to streamline retrospective research and find patients for prospective clinical trials.
OPUS uses 25 different databases of medical records, making it one of the most accurate systems applicable to a wide range of patients.
This system is a result of the Mayo Clinic’s efforts to improve patient outcomes and make the work of medical professionals easier.
Tips to implement your business processes automation
Seeing the success stories of other companies, a lot of businesses are interested in AI-powered BPA implementation. To make your implementation journey easier, here are a couple of tips that will help you avoid common pitfalls.
Access automation needs
The first step of BPA implementation is assessing whether your processes, teams, and tools are ready for automation. Think of how this change will affect employees and which tasks take up their work time.
When implementing automation, prioritise time-consuming, tedious tasks with high risks of human error. BPA changes how employees handle routine work, which is why, in some cases, they will need additional upskilling to use the new tool efficiently.
Involve key stakeholders
Stakeholders should be involved in the BPA implementation process since they can provide their own perspective on business needs. A clear communication will help you define automation goals.
Clearly define each step
Every process you want to automate must be clearly documented with defined tasks, timelines, and owners. An in-depth understanding of how your current workflow runs will help you see which tasks can be improved with automation.
See also: How can customers reduce risks when implementing AI
Conclusion
The impact of AI-driven business process automation cannot be overstated. BPA systems make a measurable impact by automating tedious tasks and freeing up your employees to focus on more meaningful objectives.
However, implementing such systems within your operations requires a full, nuanced understanding of each employee’s responsibilities. A successful AI-powered BPA integration is based on planning, clear communication, and a meticulous step-by-step approach.
How Altamira can help
Whether you are looking to add AI-powered BPA tools to your business, assess your current tech stack, or prototype your new ideas, our approach is guaranteed to reduce your stress.
Zero-headache software partner. With a proven track record of pushing the boundaries of AI technologies, you get the most value from your investment.
Tangible value in days. To demonstrate our commitment, we start building clickable prototypes even before a contract begins, allowing you to visualise and test your AI concept quickly.
Transparent development. We build trust through transparency in the way that we communicate.
Get in touch and start building AI-powered business automation tools today.
FAQ
Business Process Automation (BPA) is about using software to handle repetitive, rules-based tasks. Think of it as delegating routine work—like data entry, approvals, or notifications—to systems that can do it faster and with fewer errors. The goal is to free up time for work that actually needs human judgment.
Business processes typically fall into one of these categories:
Core processes – Activities directly tied to delivering value to customers.
Support processes – Help core processes run smoothly. These are tasks such as HR, IT support, or accounting.
Management processes – Guide how the business is run. Strategy planning, budgeting, and compliance fall into this group.
Operational processes – Day-to-day processes, such as scheduling shifts, maintaining equipment, or processing invoices.
Both terms are related but not the same.
RPA (Robotic Process Automation) is about automating individual, often very specific tasks. Think of it as teaching a bot to copy-paste data between spreadsheets or systems.
BPA (Business Process Automation) looks at the bigger picture. It focuses on improving and automating entire workflows—not just tasks—often across departments or functions.
These terms are often mixed up, despite their very different meanings.
BPA (Business Process Automation) uses technology to automate tasks inside your company.
BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) relies on another company to handle some business processes, such as customer support or payroll.
BPA is about using tools to improve your workflow. The other is about hiring someone else to do it for you.