As automation becomes mainstream, more businesses are looking beyond simple bots to intelligent systems that can adapt, learn, and work independently. In this post, we break down the 3 levels of business automation: RPA, Intelligent Automation, and Agentic Automation.
1. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) RPA uses rule-based software bots to automate repetitive, structured tasks — think data entry, file transfers, or invoice processing. It mimics human actions across applications without needing deep integration. Ideal for fast wins in operational efficiency.
2. Intelligent Automation This builds on RPA by incorporating AI and ML (machine learning). These bots can understand data patterns, classify documents, and make logic-based decisions. Examples include invoice matching, email triage, and fraud detection. Intelligent automation closes the gap between structured tasks and dynamic decision-making.
3. Agentic Automation The frontier of automation. These are autonomous agents — AI-powered systems that can operate independently, make decisions, and learn from context. Think of an AI that not only classifies support tickets but also handles them end-to-end, including follow-ups. Powered by LLMs (like GPT-4), these agents represent the future of business operations.
When to Use What
- Use RPA for structured, rules-based tasks.
- Use Intelligent Automation when decision-making is needed.
- Use Agentic Automation (or AI Agents) when autonomy, learning, and adaptability are key.
Want to know which level of automation fits your business best? Let’s explore your workflows in a discovery session.
✓ Streamlined integration
✓ Scalable Impact