Recent months have brought rapid development in the automation market. In 2024, SAIO recorded a twofold increase in interest in business robot implementations using Robotic Process Automation (RPA) technology to streamline processes and computer-based tasks. This demand is confirmed by global statistics showing that the industry is growing by around 25 percent year-on-year*.

RPA is now evolving as an integral part of the larger Intelligent Automation (IA) ecosystem. According to SAIO specialists, customers today expect more advanced, multifunctional platforms that combine robotics with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies.

“We are seeing a significant increase in interest in integrating artificial intelligence with process automation. Companies, increasingly from the SME sector, are looking for effective solutions that will allow them to optimize working time and thus save on rising business costs. At the same time, they are looking for technologies that quickly deliver a return on investment while improving customer service quality and employee satisfaction,” says Przemysław Lewicki, CEO of SAIO.

Key sectors for automation growth

The greatest demand for robotics, according to SAIO, comes from industries such as finance, automotive, logistics, retail, and manufacturing. Process automation in these sectors focuses mainly on areas such as document analysis, data entry, invoice management, and customer service. For example, in the automotive industry, SAIO robots support automated used-car valuation, automatic creation of service reports, and B2B process management, reducing operational time and eliminating human error.

Automation can also help improve business security by easily gathering data about contractors and preparing periodic analyses. The use of AI in analyzing large datasets shortens the time needed for assessments (e.g., ESG risks) and increases accuracy—crucial for companies struggling with strict regulatory requirements.

“The pressure on margins and the growing need for process optimization mean that automation is becoming an indispensable element of business strategies across many sectors of the economy,” adds Lewicki.

Automation as the key to success – implementation examples

Examples of implementations show how RPA and AI together can streamline key business processes:

1. HR process automation: robots automate tasks related to personnel management, including importing data from ZUS systems, creating digital employee files, and generating reports on absences.
2. Optimization of accounting processes: in the financial sector, robots supported by AI automate accounting tasks such as invoice processing, cost analysis, and preparation of tax summaries.
3. Operational automation in logistics: supports companies in automating logistics processes, from freight calculation to inventory management, significantly speeding up order fulfillment and reducing costs.

Trends and challenges in the RPA market

Over the past 12 months, the robotics market has seen growing demand for visual recognition technologies, such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for invoice processing, as well as predefined connectors for ERP applications. Companies are becoming increasingly tech-aware, and automation is becoming a key element of their strategies. According to SAIO experts, for a growing group of entrepreneurs, implementing robots that can be quickly and easily scaled is becoming essential in the face of changing economic conditions and rising competition.

However, despite these positive trends, companies still face barriers to automation adoption. These include low process maturity, concerns about job reductions, and the changing nature of applications subject to automation. In response, support services are available in the form of consulting, robot development and monitoring, as well as integration with modern technologies such as generative AI.

The future of robotics: comprehensive automation platforms

Today, RPA companies are developing their solutions toward full integration of AI with business process automation. The latest platform functionalities, such as those offered by SAIO, include integration with Large Language Models (LLMs) and creating agents capable of processing unstructured data. They also provide platforms that allow users with limited technical skills to create and deploy robots, significantly lowering the entry barrier for small and medium-sized businesses.

“Our solutions, such as SAIO Chat and SAIO Forms, enable companies to easily create robots that not only automate repetitive tasks but also integrate with existing IT systems without the need for modifications. We are proud that our tools support not only large corporations but also small and medium-sized businesses in their digital transformation, helping them manage resources efficiently,” concludes Przemysław Lewicki, CEO of SAIO.

* Everest Group report: “Robotic Process Automation (RPA) State of the Market Report 2023”