1Please could you define intelligent automation , and what it can provide organisations ? AD : Intelligent automation can enhance operations and provide supply chain efficiency , helping to predict problems before they arise and increase the ability to navigate disruptions even months in advance . This puts organisations in a much better position to meet demands than ever before , with the long-term goal being to build a fully autonomous supply chain that is capable of identifying and resolving problems without any human intervention .

MF : Intelligent Automation is a relatively new term , and as such , it ' s often framed in very different ways , sometimes called ‘ cognitive automation ’. It ' s used to describe the intersection of automation and AI-powered decision-making technologies .

MATT WELLS VICE PRESIDENT , DIGITAL PRODUCT MANAGEMENT GE DIGITAL

The main benefit offered by intelligent automation is the ability to actually perform actions based on data-driven recommendations , as opposed to just reporting a problem .

MW : From proactive analysis to guiding operator response , modern intelligent automation technologies use the IoT ’ s connected systems , layered with new apps to help companies create and maintain revenue streams and improve operations . Companies around the world are blending combinations of digital capabilities and industrial assets to drive productivity and efficiency across an organisation or environment . In addition , intelligent automation technologies can

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Business Chief US+CAN Magazine April 2021 | Page 145

“Machine learning and analytics technologies are at the forefront of current technologies that are facilitating intelligent automation ”