For the last two years the focus has been on AI, block chain and Internet of Things (IoT). Those technologies remain important, but there are other three other critical technologies that are answering potentially more urgent needs. Currently, companies are looking to smaller and more efficient workforces. More workers will be working remotely - either from satellite offices or from home. Thus the current ‘ask’ is for technology that can reduce the time spent on mundane, repetitive tasks and for systems that can be easily implemented and readily customised - without having to pay for expensive development costs. The top three critical technologies to watch now are <strong>RPA</strong> (robotic process automation) often referred to as ‘bots’, <strong>configurable workflow</strong> systems, and <strong>no-code</strong> automation. Process automation is riding its second wave, this time with more software integration options and greater flexibility. Most importantly, the new systems will be easier to set up and require less time to train staff. <h3><strong>Why Bots Could Be Your New Best Friend</strong></h3> Even before RPA bots, companies were automating simple processes through macros and various hacks on Excel sheets. RPA amplifies this to be able to do more complex tasks. Bots will do the brunt of the most monotonous, technical work, leaving all creative and people-oriented activities for human employees. Unlike physical robots, RPA are software ‘robots’ that are programmed to capture and interpret data for processing a transaction, manipulating data, triggering a response or communicating with other systems. They can complete specific automatable activities and work autonomously. <h3><strong>Configurable Workflows Make It Easier to Be Agile</strong></h3> Configurable workflows is another important technology to watch. This is a business management system that standardises the processes and activities associated with each transaction. There are four standout benefits. <strong>Workflow is Universal.</strong> There is one central repository for the way the company does business. This replaces multiple manuals, notebooks and knowledge residing in someone’s head. The company defines what needs to be done and the system automatically initiates workflows and alerts staff members who need to carry it out. <strong>Reduces Training Time.</strong> All staff are able to have the same knowledge, regardless of how long they’ve worked with the company. <strong>Greater Reduction in Mistakes.</strong> The system ensures that everything that must done gets done - without skipping a step. This can play a key role in ‘right the first time’ - and staying right throughout the entire product lifecycle. <strong>Ease to Adapt. </strong>Custom software development can provide a more suitable system for your company's business, but then there is the issue of tech support and upgrades. Configurable software has the benefit of being customizable, without the burden of costly support. <h3><strong>No Developer? No Problem</strong></h3> No-code is could be another game changer, reducing the load on IT departments and allowing systems to be constumizeable on the fly. It's also playing a critical role in helping companies to be more agile, without having to shoulder heavy development costs. A no-code platform is for IT development what the graphic interface is for users. Back in the day, to use a computer you needed to be able to type in lines of code. This was a big barrier for most users. Apple developed the graphic interface where clicking on an icon would trigger an action that used to require inputting code. For industry, no-code platforms are visual development environments that allow anyone to create apps through methods like drag-and-drop to add application components. The advantage is greater agility and lower development costs. Talented developers are expensive. No-code or low-code platforms will enable companies to benefit from better automation, without the burden of high costs. <h3><strong>Forging the Way Forward</strong></h3> For many companies technology is a new and unknow realm. Unlike machinery, which is much more hands-on, the benefits from automating systems and behind the scenes tasks can be less obvious. Over time though the benefits become more apparent. Costs are driven down, staff becomes more productive and the company is able to react faster and in a more targeted way.