Firms to Boost Spending on Smart Automation

Yet many are already taking a "bottom-up approach" by applying these tools to legacy systems and processes in a way that is unlikely to change their core operating models and compete with digital-first rivals, the report said. The results are based in part on online surveys and brainstorming sessions with senior technology and service delivery decision makers at 80 companies in a range of industries across North America, Europe and Asia, along with interviews with IT industry experts. Most have annual incomes over $5 billion. It found that 37% are currently looking into the potential of smart automation, with 24% running real-time tests in proof-of-concept or pilot projects. Within three years, 49% said they plan to be operating the tools at scale, while 29% will have deployed them selectively across operations and production processes.