Automation Technologies that witnessed unanticipated growth during the lockdown
The pandemic of 2020 had a considerable impact on businesses and the economy around the world. One key trend from the pandemic is the increased use of automation to reduce costs and maintain service levels. There was a rapid increase in the demand for automation technologies to help companies become more efficient, cost-effective, and resilient.
How did automation help businesses during the lockdown?
Automation technologies saw unanticipated growth during the lockdown period. Their ability to reduce human contact and help maintain business operations drove this drastic change. Companies can quickly adapt to new conditions by automating customer service, supply chain management, and data analysis processes. Automation can also automate more complex tasks, like customer segmentation, predictive analytics, and Natural Language Processing (NLP).
Automation technologies saw unanticipated growth during the pandemic due to their ability to help companies remain operational and reduce costs. These technologies will continue to help companies stay competitive and efficient. Automation tools have been instrumental in assisting organizations to remain productive and connected during the pandemic. They have enabled companies to continue their operations without disruption while ensuring that employees remain productive and engage with the team.
Automation Technologies that witnessed growth during the lockdown
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
One key automation technology that saw an increase in usage is Robotic Process Automation (RPA). RPA is a software program that automates repetitive tasks like data entry, email management, and form filling. This technology helps to reduce human workload, improve accuracy, and speed up processes. During the pandemic, companies used RPA to help them respond quickly to changing market conditions.
According to a report from Forrester, the RPA market grew significantly in 2020, with year-over-year growth of almost 30%. This growth has been attributed to increased demand for automation since companies around the world looked for cost-effective ways to remain productive during the pandemic.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Another technology that saw an unexpected growth in usage is Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI allows machines to work and make decisions without human input. It can be used for customer service, marketing, and data analysis. During the pandemic, companies used AI to automate customer service and identify customer trends.
Cloud Computing
In addition, Cloud Computing technologies saw an increase in usage during the pandemic. Companies adopted cloud computing to store and access data remotely and facilitate collaboration and communication. Cloud computing also allowed companies to scale up their services and operations quickly.
Businesses sought to increase their agility and scalability in order to manage remote workforces and ensure business continuity. This led to a surge in demand for cloud-based solutions in response to the pandemic. According to a report by Deloitte, the global public cloud services market increased by 29% in 2020. The estimated total spending was $257.9 billion.
Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) also saw an increase in usage during the pandemic. IoT is a connected device network that can collect and exchange data. Companies use IoT to monitor and control equipment, as well as to automate processes and reduce costs.
According to an analysis of over 750 million connected devices, IoT devices and services increased by 74% during the lockdown. This growth was driven by the increasing demand for remote monitoring and control, remote work, and increased automation. The pandemic also caused an increase in demand for connected healthcare solutions, smart home products, and other connected devices and services.
As the world emerges from the pandemic, companies will likely continue to rely on automation to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Automation is here to stay and is likely to become an even more integral part of business operations in the future.
