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How Hyperautomation Became the Centerpiece of Digital Transformation in 2022

· 3 min read
enterprises embracing hyperautomation

In just a few years, automation has moved from simple back-office bots to sophisticated organization-wide initiatives. In 2022, the term "hyperautomation" hit the mainstream, re-shaping how business leaders think about end-to-end process improvement and the pace of digital transformation.

What is Hyperautomation?​

Hyperautomation isn't just automation—but automation at scale, orchestrated across people, systems, and AI-driven analytics. The term was first popularized by Gartner to describe the integration of multiple tools and technologies—Robotic Process Automation (RPA), artificial intelligence, process mining, and more—to automate complex business workflows.

Key aspects of hyperautomation:

  • Going beyond manual scripting or isolated bots
  • Connecting multiple automation and AI tools into seamless workflows
  • Continuously discovering, analyzing, and optimizing processes

Why Did Hyperautomation Go Mainstream in 2022?​

Several mega-trends converged, making hyperautomation not just a buzzword but a business priority:

  • Remote work and distributed teams: The pandemic drove demand for touchless, digitally streamlined operations.
  • Talent shortages and labor cost pressures: Companies turned to automation to fill gaps, boost productivity, and reduce costs.
  • Better technologies: Mature RPA platforms, smarter AI chatbots, and accessible process mining tools made broader automation possible.
  • Executive buy-in: More boardrooms recognized automation as a strategic lever for enterprise agility and cost control.

Real-World Impact: Examples from 2022​

Numerous Fortune 500 companies and agile startups embraced hyperautomation in 2022. Key examples include:

  • Insurance: Global insurers automated claims processing by combining OCR (Optical Character Recognition), AI-based fraud detection, and RPA for document handling, reducing cycle times from weeks to hours.
  • Banking: Major banks leveraged process mining to map their digital workflows, then used RPA and low-code tools to streamline customer onboarding.
  • Healthcare: Hospitals automated appointment scheduling, patient intake documentation, and claims submission, enabling clinicians to focus on patient care.

Choosing the Right Hyperautomation Stack​

With several technology options on the market, decision-makers in 2022 compared platforms such as UiPath, Automation Anywhere, Blue Prism, and Microsoft Power Automate. Leaders considered:

  • Integration with existing IT infrastructure
  • Ease of scaling and governance
  • Ability to incorporate AI/ML for intelligent decision-making
  • Enterprise-grade security and compliance

Challenges and Lessons Learned​

While the benefits are significant, companies reported key challenges:

  • Aligning IT, business, and compliance stakeholders
  • Managing rapid change and "automation sprawl"
  • Securing talent with process and AI expertise

Leading organizations focused on strong change management, automation Centers of Excellence (CoEs), and investing in upskilling teams to drive sustainable outcomes.

The Road Ahead: What Comes Next?​

2022 was the year when hyperautomation moved from pilot projects to enterprise-wide strategy. Looking forward, the most successful organizations will be those that treat automation as a journey—not a one-off tool deployment—constantly scanning for new opportunities and building a culture of innovation.

Curious how hyperautomation can reshape your business? Start assessing your mission-critical processes and assemble a cross-functional team to pilot next-generation automation.

year: 2022