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7 Compelling Reasons to Choose Cloud BPM (Business Process Management)

Roland Alston, Appian
March 4, 2024

As business leaders cautiously navigate the uncertainties of 2024, marked by the mainstreaming of AI,  heightened regulatory oversight, cost pressures, and supply chain disruptions, the need for agile and efficient business processes has never been more pressing. Amidst this backdrop of uncertainty, cloud BPM shines as a beacon of opportunity, offering organizations a transformative approach to streamline operations, drive innovation, and achieve better business outcomes.

Understanding cloud BPM.

Cloud BPM uses cloud computing technology to manage and streamline business processes. While BPM involves the design, modeling, execution, monitoring, and optimization of business processes to drive efficiency and achieve better business outcomes, cloud BPM, or digital process automation software, leverages cloud computing—servers, storage, and applications—that allow organizations to access BPM tools and services on-demand without investing in and maintaining on-premises infrastructure. That kind of flexibility and accessibility is crucial in today's fast-paced business landscape, where opportunities for process improvements abound.

Process modeling is a specific aspect of BPM that focuses on visually representing business processes using diagrams or models.

Learn how BPM software helps you automate workflows with ease and scale them with confidence. Get The BPM Guide: The Key to Workflow Automation.

Why cloud BPM matters.

In the age of hyperautomation, cloud BPM serves as a digital "force multiplier," leveraging cloud investments to enhance digital strategies and overall business performance. Unlike traditional on-premise BPM software, cloud BPM offers flexibility, scalability, and resilience to dynamic business conditions, enabling organizations to quickly adapt to evolving needs and innovate effectively in response to digital change. It’s a strategy that enhances business resiliency, productivity, reliability, availability, performance, and cost-effectiveness across tasks and workflows, making it a critical success factor for organizations navigating the complexities of the digital economy. Now, let's delve into the specific benefits of cloud BPM software that organizations can leverage to optimize their operations and drive efficiency and growth.

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7 benefits of cloud BPM software.

According to Gartner®, "enterprise architecture and technology innovation leaders lack a defined strategy to scale automation with tactical and strategic goals. They must deliver end-to-end automation beyond RPA by combining complementary technologies to optimize business processes.” Gartner calls this “hyperautomation.” Let’s explore seven reasons to choose cloud BPM as the preferred solution for navigating the complexities of digital transformation in the age of hyperautomation.

See how hyperautomation will impact your organization. Get the Gartner® Hyperautomation Report: Emerging Tech Impact Radar.

1. Scalability.

Scale resources up or down quickly based on demand. This scalability enables businesses to handle fluctuations in workload efficiently, whether due to seasonal variations, sudden spikes in demand, or growth.

2. Cost savings.

Cloud BPM services eliminate the need for upfront infrastructure investments and reduce ongoing maintenance costs associated with on-premises solutions. Organizations can pay for cloud BPM services on a subscription or pay-as-you-go basis, making it a cost-effective option for many businesses.

3. Rapid deployment.

Cloud BPM platforms typically have faster deployment times compared to on-premises solutions. This rapid deployment allows organizations to implement BPM initiatives more quickly, enabling them to respond faster to emerging opportunities or challenges.

4. Anytime, anywhere access.

Cloud BPM solutions can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, making them well-suited for remote work and collaboration among distributed teams. This flexibility in access enables organizations to streamline processes across different locations and time zones, fostering collaboration and improving efficiency.

5. Innovation and low maintenance.

Cloud BPM vendors often release updates and new features regularly, enabling organizations to benefit from the latest advancements in process management technology without the need for manual updates or upgrades. This continuous improvement cycle allows companies to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to evolving business requirements without high maintenance costs.

6. Fast system integration.

Fast, easy integration with other cloud-based applications and services, enabling seamless data exchange and process automation across different systems. This integration capability allows organizations to streamline their BPM processes and leverage data from various sources.

7. Secure data.

Through encrypted transmissions, stringent access controls, and regular audits, cloud BPM safeguards your data against cyber threats, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of critical business information.

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4 signs your organization should level up to cloud BPM.

While cloud BPM offers several benefits, organizations must carefully consider whether adopting this approach aligns with their operational needs and strategic objectives. Evaluating how transitioning to cloud BPM would impact existing processes and workflows is crucial to determining its suitability for your specific requirements. Let's explore key factors organizations like yours should consider when assessing if cloud BPM is the right fit for their business.

Consider the following questions about your organization's business process management system: 

  1. Do you still rely on physical paper trails? 
  2. Are employees spending more time searching for information than completing tasks efficiently?
  3. Do system users repeatedly input the same data across various platforms? 
  4. Are islands of automation hindering efficiency and complicating interactions? 

These problems are clear indications that your organization could benefit from upgrading to a cloud BPM strategy.

Cloud BPM gives digital strategy a reboot.

Ninety percent of organizations agree or completely agree that the cloud combined with other technologies like AI, IoT, and analytics serve as “force multipliers” for digital strategy and 88% view the cloud as the foundation of their digital strategy, according to a recent report by Deloitte.

These insights underscore the pivotal role that cloud BPM plays in driving better business outcomes for companies across industries. The research underscores cloud BPM’s value proposition for enhancing organizational agility, innovation, and competitiveness in today's dynamic business environment. As your organization grapples with the complexities of digital transformation, consider cloud BPM a strategic imperative for unlocking operational resilience and sustainable growth.

Check out the Forrester Total Economic Impact™ of Appian report and  see how Appian delivers 95% faster processes.