For organizations searching for ways to improve the efficiency of core processes and maximize profitability, business automation is the clear solution.
This once meant implementing robotic process automation (RPA) technology. While this technology still has its place in the digital landscape, an innovative automation tool focused on integration has taken the market by storm.
Over the last 18-24 months, iPaaS or “integration Platform as a Service” has experienced exponential growth because it offers several advantages as a standalone integration solution and a supplemental technology to existing RPA architecture.
What Is iPaaS?
Generally speaking, an iPaaS tool is an automation platform capable of standardizing how various applications are integrated into an organization’s overall business model. This allows IT staff to implement automation more quickly, especially at scale. An iPaaS will also facilitate the sharing of data across multiple applications.
The goal of iPaaS is similar to that of RPAs. Both solutions seek to eliminate redundant manual processes and minimize an organization’s dependence on spreadsheets.
Simultaneously, iPaaS is geared towards increasing accuracy, speed, and visibility across an organization.
RPA to iPaaS: Evolution, Not Extinction
Integration Platform as a Service is a truly innovative business process automation technology. However, it is not going to mark the extinction of RPAs.
Instead, iPaaS should be viewed as the natural evolution of the long-standing RPA technology.
For some businesses, RPA systems still present the most viable solution for their integration needs. Specifically, RPAs are beneficial for organizations that only need to replicate a few very specific tasks and have the technical resources available to do so.
However, iPaaS is a much more elegant solution. As many iPaaS vendors have expanded their platform’s capabilities to include workflow and basic process automation functionality, it helps shorten the flow of non-duplication.
An iPaaS also provides organizations with superior scalability, which is valuable for large companies and growing businesses. It offers a versatile and user-friendly experience, which means that a variety of industries can successfully integrate iPaaS solutions.
True No-Code Integration Solutions
iPaaS is an excellent solution for organizations that are integrating new applications and those that want to upgrade from an RPA system. For businesses that choose to, moving from RPA to iPaaS is a seamless process that can be completed efficiently.
In addition, integration Platform as a Service offers a true no-code experience, which is perhaps the most appealing aspect of the solution.
While many RPA companies refer to their technology as “low code” solutions, building out bots often requires a relatively high level of coding competency. RPA solutions are more developer-friendly, but they might not provide the most streamlined experience for the average user.
iPaaS applications have a much simpler interface. Average end-users with basic digital competency can eliminate redundancies and integrate applications that would otherwise not communicate.
Data Behind iPaaS: Intelligent Document Processing
Any type of application, whether it is iPaaS, RPA or another workflow tool, needs structured data to make it work. When users implement an intelligent document processing (IDP) system, it transforms process-dependent documents into machine-readable and actionable data which different systems can use for that business process or task. It knows which software to call on to get the job done. Having a way to onboard document-centric information in the right format using IDP is how companies can get the best results from iPaaS and drive hyperautomation enterprise-wide.
Measurable Benefits of Modern Business Automation Technologies
While automation technology has been in existence for decades, many industries still do not leverage these solutions to their maximum potential.
For instance, a 2021 Ephesoft survey revealed that only 15% of accounting departments are entirely paperless. Two-thirds still rely on manual invoice processing. This overreliance on manual processing drastically hinders the productivity of an organization.
Conversely, both IDP and iPaaS can boost efficiency across various facets of a company’s operations. Organizations can leverage cloud business process automation to improve multiple departments, including finance, compliance and HR. The leading benefits are productivity, efficiency, accuracy and cost-savings.
IDP technology customers reported all of these benefits and more:
Innovative Automation Solutions from Ephesoft
Ephesoft is committed to providing our customers with valuable IDP solutions that transform work productivity and wrap it in a great experience. Our team is constantly challenging the status quo to provide maximum value to our clients. With those goals in mind, we are also among the first organizations to embrace iPaaS as a leader in intelligent document processing as we embrace the synergies and powerful automations IDP + iPaaS can deliver. Whether you want to increase your platform’s performance by 10X, reduce validation time of invoices or need to reduce customer onboarding times from days to hours, we can help. Ephesoft will provide you with tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of your organization. Get your free trial today.
