%20in%202025.jpg)
Heading into 2025, embracing automation is no longer optional—they're a necessity. These tools help streamline operations, cut costs, and boost productivity. Whether you’re automating small, repetitive tasks or overhauling how your business runs, having the right business process automation tools can make all the difference.
For small and mid-sized business owners, staying competitive with limited resources can be tough. That’s where business process automation comes in—a true game-changer. This guide covers 10 top tools, from low-code platforms to AI-powered solutions, all designed to streamline your business and boost efficiency.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how these tools function, their benefits, and how they can be integrated into your daily operations.
Business process automation (BPA) is about using technology to execute recurring tasks or processes in a business where manual effort can be replaced. This is done to achieve cost minimisation, greater efficiency, and streamlined processes. Automation tools are the catalysts that make this possible, allowing businesses to focus their human resources on more complex and creative tasks.
Business process automation tools vary widely in function and design but are unified by their ability to simplify complex operations. They can range from simple apps that automate email responses and data entry to sophisticated systems designed to handle complex business workflows and decision-making processes. These tools use a mix of software technologies, including robotic process automation (RPA), digital process automation (DPA), and AI-enhanced automation, to transform static operations into dynamic, responsive workflows.
The implementation of business process automation tools offers a myriad of benefits that can transform the operational dynamics of a business.
Automation significantly reduces the time spent on routine tasks, such as data entry and report generation, allowing employees to focus on higher-value activities. This shift not only speeds up workflows but also eliminates bottlenecks, leading to a more efficient operation overall.
Automating repetitive tasks means fewer hours spent on manual work, which translates to reduced labour costs. Moreover, automation can minimise the likelihood of errors—such as duplication or incorrect data entry—that can be costly to rectify.
Human error is a natural part of manual processes, but automation tools help eliminate these errors by standardising operations. This ensures that every task is performed consistently and to the highest standard, enhancing the overall reliability of business processes.
Many businesses operate in regulated industries where compliance with laws and regulations is critical. Automation tools can help maintain compliance by ensuring that processes are executed in accordance with established rules and regulations and automatically updating systems when these regulations change.
Automation tools are designed to handle increased loads without the need for proportional increases in labour. This makes it easier for businesses to scale operations without significant additional costs.
By speeding up processes and reducing errors, businesses can provide a smoother, more reliable experience to their customers. Automated systems can also gather insights from customer interactions and feedback, which can be used to further refine customer service strategies.
Low-code development platforms simplify the creation of applications by reducing the amount of traditional hand-coding required. These platforms utilise a visual development environment where users can drag and drop application components, connect them together, and create a functional app in a fraction of the time it would take with conventional development methods.
Benefits:
The primary purpose of low-code platforms is to enable businesses to develop applications quickly and with fewer technical resources. This approach helps companies adapt to changing market demands and internal needs without significant delays or investment in additional staff.
Examples:
Robotic process automation (RPA) is a technology that automates routine tasks that are typically performed by humans. RPA software robots can interact with digital systems and software in much the same way a human would but with greater speed and accuracy. This includes tasks like data entry, transaction processing, and even responding to simple customer inquiries.
Benefits:
The main purpose of RPA is to streamline operations and reduce the labour intensity of clerical and administrative tasks. This not only speeds up processes but also improves accuracy and consistency across business functions.
Examples:
Digital process automation (DPA) extends beyond basic automation to streamline complex business processes. DPA focuses on optimising workflow efficiency and integrating digital technologies across an organisation's operations. This approach not only automates tasks but also improves the connectivity between different systems and data sources.
Benefits:
The purpose of DPA is to create more connected and efficient operations that can adapt to the changing needs of a business. It aims to provide a holistic approach to automation that includes both front-end and back-end processes.
Examples:
AI-enhanced process automation tools incorporate artificial intelligence technologies to take automation beyond routine task execution. These tools use machine learning, natural language processing, and other AI methodologies to analyse patterns, make decisions, and predict outcomes. This enables businesses to automate more complex and decision-based tasks.
Benefits:
The purpose of AI-enhanced automation tools is not only to automate tasks but also to add intelligence to the automation process, thereby enabling businesses to tackle more complex problems and offer more sophisticated services.
Examples:
Workflow management systems (WMS) are designed to help organisations optimise and manage their workflows more effectively. These systems provide tools to design, execute, and monitor business processes, ensuring that tasks are carried out in the most efficient order. WMS can handle complex sequences of work activities and integrate with various databases and applications to streamline operations across multiple departments.
Benefits:
The main purpose of workflow management systems is to enhance efficiency and accountability by automating and tracking complex processes across an organisation.
Examples:
Business process management (BPM) Software helps organisations design, model, execute, monitor, and optimise their business processes. It focuses on improving corporate performance by managing and optimising a company's business processes. BPM software integrates all aspects of process management, offering comprehensive tools to manage the full lifecycle of processes.
Benefits:
The purpose of BPM software is to provide a systematic approach to making an organisation's workflow more effective, more efficient, and more capable of adapting to an ever-changing environment.
Examples:
Document management automation involves the use of software to manage the creation, storage, security, and retrieval of documents electronically. This technology helps businesses reduce the reliance on paper documents, streamline document handling, and ensure that information is organized and easily accessible.
Benefits:
The primary purpose of document management automation is to enhance efficiency and security in handling business documents and records. It aims to simplify document-related workflows and ensure compliance with data management regulations.
Examples:
Integration Platforms as a Service (iPaaS) provide cloud-based solutions that enable various applications, systems, and technologies within an enterprise to communicate and work together seamlessly. iPaaS is designed to simplify complex integration challenges, offering tools for building, deploying, and managing integrations across the cloud and on-premises environments.
Benefits:
The purpose of iPaaS is to create a more fluid IT environment that can quickly adapt to new business requirements and technologies. It serves as the backbone for digital transformation by connecting disparate systems and enabling them to function as a cohesive unit.
Examples:
Enterprise content management (ECM) systems are comprehensive platforms that manage an organisation's documents, emails, web pages, and other forms of content. ECM systems help streamline the capture, storage, preservation, and delivery of content across an enterprise, making it accessible and useful for business operations.
Benefits:
The purpose of ECM systems is to provide a structured environment where information can be securely stored and easily accessed, supporting decision-making and business efficiency.
Examples:
Decision management systems (DMS) are advanced platforms that automate and manage the decision-making processes within an organization. These systems utilise rules engines, predictive analytics, and AI technologies to make automated decisions based on real-time data.
Benefits:
The primary purpose of DMS is to optimise business decisions that are too complex or too numerous to be made efficiently by humans alone. By automating these decisions, organisations can improve both speed and quality, leading to better business outcomes.
Examples:
Looking at the top business process automation tools of 2025, it’s clear that the way we run businesses is changing fast. From low-code development platforms that democratize the creation of applications to AI-enhanced tools that predict and improve business outcomes, the capabilities of these tools are shaping a new era of efficiency and innovation.
For small to mid-sized businesses, adopting the right tools is key to growth, competitiveness, and thriving in a digital marketplace. Digital transformation is an ongoing journey, and each tool can enhance your business processes.
Need help with selecting the right tools for your business? OxygenIT is here to assist you. Our team of experts can guide you through the process of choosing and implementing the best business process automation tools for your organisation's unique needs. Let us give you the space to breathe and the power to succeed with our efficient, automation-driven solutions.
Business process automation (BPA) refers to the use of technology to execute repetitive tasks or processes in a business where manual effort can be replaced. This approach is designed to automate significant parts of company operations, improving efficiency and reducing costs.
Automating your business with automation software and workflow automation tools can significantly increase efficiency by eliminating time-consuming manual tasks. This allows staff to focus on more strategic activities, thus speeding up operations and reducing human errors.
Workflow automation software helps streamline business processes, ensuring that all actions are completed sequentially and without oversight. The main advantages include improved process consistency, faster completion times, and lower operational costs.
A process automation specialist designs and implements automation solutions to enhance efficiency and accuracy in business processes. They identify improvement areas, align automation tools with strategic goals, and adjust solutions to ensure optimal performance and cost-effectiveness.
In 2025, look for business process automation software that offers advanced AI capabilities, scalability, and easy integration with existing systems. Ensure the software supports end-to-end business automation and offers tools for intelligent automation, as recommended by Gartner peer insights.
BPA (Business Process Automation) and RPA (Robotic Process Automation) both aim to automate tasks, but they differ in scope and application. BPA provides a holistic approach to automating a wide range of business processes, while RPA focuses on automating specific tasks. Both can be integral parts of a broader automation strategy.
