Many companies have automated individual tasks within their core functions – finance, HR, procurement and IT operations. These siloed solutions provide initial experience, but quickly reach their limits: every automation process comes to an end at the next manual interface. Tangible value is only created when the four areas work together via a shared platform and data, documents and decisions flow seamlessly throughout the organisation. Our white paper “KPMG leading in Scaled Digital Transformation” sets out the path from piecemeal automation to an integrated architecture combining artificial intelligence, big data and the cloud
Why individual automation processes reach their limits
Standalone automation carries out a routine task, but merely shifts the workload elsewhere. As a result, complexity increases rather than delivering benefits. The key lies in an end-to-end process and data chain spanning all four areas.
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The ABC as a technological foundation
Three technologies underpin the platform – Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and the Cloud, or the ABC of digitalisation for short. Artificial Intelligence processes unstructured documents and makes predictive decisions. Big Data brings together data from ERP, CRM and other systems into a single repository. The cloud provides the scalable infrastructure and eliminates local silos.
Five milestones on the road to an autonomous back office
The process follows a step-by-step approach: from the automation of individual tasks, through interconnected process chains and a central database, to AI agents that handle more complex processes independently. The end result is a largely autonomous back office that processes standard tasks without the need for manual intervention.
Governance is key to success
Automating poor processes multiplies the errors they contain. Simplification – based on the ‘fit-to-standard’ principle – must therefore take precedence over technology. Clearly defined decision-making authority determines what the AI handles autonomously and where human involvement remains necessary – as measured by turnaround time, unit costs and first-pass resolution rates.
Our white paper describes all five horizons in detail, maps them to the four back-office areas and explains our consultancy approach in detail.
FAQs
The transition from individual, isolated automation systems to a networked platform on which Finance, HR, Procurement and IT Operations work together.
For the three technological building blocks: Artificial Intelligence (A), Big Data (B) and Cloud (C).
A development path comprising five successive stages, ranging from task automation to an autonomous back office.
Common causes include fragmented data, a lack of governance and over-engineering rather than simplified processes.
Your contact
Gernot Gutjahr
Partner, Consulting - Intelligent Enterprise Technology
KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft