Agentic Automation: The Competitive Edge for IT Management
n the ever-evolving world of technology, buzzwords come and go. Some are vague, some inspiring, and others obscure the true value of the technology they represent.
Agentic Automation is a new term, relevant for Mid-Market companies, whether they are already using automation or considering its adoption.
Agentic Automation – What does it mean
The new term “Agentic Automation” has emerged in the last year, but what does it mean?
“Acting like an agent – doing work when authorised to achieve a goal” is one definition.
The distinguished Andrew Ng has led the thinking on Agentic Automation earlier this year with 4 design patterns that he describes as:
- Reflection – Combining a “Do” action and a “Review / Critic” action
- Tool Use – Utilising specific capability
- Planning – Break a task into elements and stages
- Multi-agent – Initiation, parallel process, assembly and consolidation
Andrew’s work has been concentrated on the usage of GenAI software however the designs can be applied to all Automation technologies.
As a result, the phrase “Agentic Process Automation” (APA) has started to appear and is a variation on Robotic Process Automation, as the process could be “Robotic” or using “AI”.
The logic promoted by the “Process Experts” is that a process should be optimised to reduce waste and once efficient, it can be automated / augmented by the use of RPA or AI technology.
Why Mid-Market businesses?
There are some characteristics which are common to Mid-Market businesses, such as:
- Possess the Agility to make changes in short timescale
- Able to deploy Resource to invest and then reap benefits
- The Volume of activity is sufficient to gain benefits from Automation
This flexibility which separates them from the rigidity of large businesses and the lack of structure in micro businesses.
Common Business Challenges
Mid-Market businesses have grown and matured to have a diverse set of requirements for the usage of technology.
The scale of such businesses is that they are operationally focussed, with lean overheads so that are limited members of the workforce that can be assigned to new initiatives.
Recruiting new staff is difficult for any business and it is particularly a challenge for Mid-Market businesses as they cannot offer the flexibility of micro businesses nor the highly focussed specialist roles of large enterprises.
Business growth is achieved through growing market share which means winning opportunities against competitors.
Avoiding risk is important for any business. For Mid-Market companies, the damage to customer service and finance from poor selection of technology can be significant.
Impact on Business Options
The high competition for business both from other Mid-Market businesses and at the margin from nimble specialist micro businesses can mean it is difficult to differentiate.
With limited resources to discover or experiment, initiatives must succeed. This creates a need for proven technology rather than any taking risks with “Bleeding Edge” solutions.
Opportunity from Automation
Automation with RPA is a proven solution that is widely used across FTSE businesses. The practical work to discover effective usage for GenAI technology has been completed by businesses around the globe.
With entry costs comparable to an extra worker and good ROI being delivered rom small implementations, the financial case for automation can be clear.
Agentic Automation can best be though of as a Service Orientated Architecture (SOA).
Looking at Agentic Automation as a collection of RPA Robots and Prompts for GenAI, the possibilities and benefits can be visualised.
Thinking at the business level, the services or functions can be considered as an assembly of modular units of work undertaken by people, robots and AI.
With a “Lego” building block type architecture, it is apparent that an incremental implementation can start, expand and evolve. As new more powerful technology becomes available it can be plugged into the appropriate block.
People are released from the routine work by automation, so they can focus on higher value work dealing with exceptions, the unusual and applying their valuable business knowledge.
The benefits from Agentic Automation are at a scale which can be relevant to Mid-Market businesses to achieve a cost differentiator, a level of efficiency and productivity that will enable competitive positions to be adopted.
Create Business Architecture
The scope for any business will vary, but the approach of “Break it Down, Build it Up” can be followed. Whether the naming convention starts with “Service”, “Process” or “Business Function” is a choice. By using granular modules for “Tasks” that are assembled to achieve the activities required in the business architecture, a practical solution can be created.
For more information on Robotic Process Automation (RPA) as well as Agentic Automation and the journey to implement automation please see our website: https://www.ether-solutions.co.uk/.
Manager’s Guide to Automation: https://www.ether-solutions.co.uk/managers-guide-to-automation-using-software-robots/
#businessbeyondautomation
Article Author
David Martin
Managing Director, Ether Solutions
https://www.ether-solutions.co.uk/
