Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have moved well beyond being just buzzwords—they are now essential components of any organisation looking to scale efficiently, reduce operational waste, and remain competitive in an increasingly digital economy.
Whether it's streamlining manual tasks, enhancing decision-making, or enabling rapid business growth, automation and AI are helping businesses transform the way they operate. But not all automation is the same. Understanding the different types—and how they can benefit your business—is the first step in making an informed investment.
Let’s explore the key categories of automation and AI, and how each brings unique advantages to your organisation.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
RPA uses software "bots" to automate repetitive, rule-based tasks such as data entry, form completion, or information retrieval from systems.
Business Benefits:
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Reduced human error: Bots follow structured rules with precision.
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Improved speed and efficiency: Tasks that once took hours can be completed in minutes.
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Cost savings: Frees up employees for higher-value work.
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Better customer experiences: Faster responses and fewer errors in processes like customer service or sales.
Examples in action:
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Automatically responding to common customer queries
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Processing payroll or invoices
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Collecting and comparing pricing from different suppliers
Automated Invoicing
Automated invoicing eliminates manual invoice creation, approval, and reconciliation processes.
Business Benefits:
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Cost reduction: According to the ATO, manual invoicing costs $27–30 per invoice, whereas automation can reduce it to less than $10—or even $2.70.
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Improved accuracy: Automation reduces data entry errors and ensures consistency.
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Faster payments and cash flow: Invoices are sent and processed more quickly.
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Enhanced visibility: Real-time tracking of invoice status improves financial oversight.
Business Process Automation (BPA)
BPA goes beyond individual tasks and automates entire workflows across departments, often involving more complex logic and AI capabilities.
Business Benefits:
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Cross-departmental integration: Connects systems and processes across HR, finance, procurement, and more.
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Operational agility: Enables faster response to business changes and customer demands.
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Scalability: Automates processes that support business growth without increasing headcount.
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Improved compliance and auditing: Creates consistent and traceable workflows.
Typical use cases:
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Employee onboarding
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Procurement workflows
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HR data processing
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Financial approvals
Micro Automation
Micro automation refers to the automation of small, targeted tasks that can be deployed quickly to solve specific pain points.
Business Benefits:
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Quick wins: Small automations can be implemented with minimal resources.
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Cumulative impact: Many micro automations together can deliver significant efficiency gains.
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Lower barriers to adoption: Easier to implement than full-scale BPA or RPA.
Cloud Automation
Cloud automation manages cloud-based infrastructure and services automatically—handling provisioning, scaling, monitoring, and maintenance.
Business Benefits:
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Increased IT efficiency: Reduces time spent on repetitive infrastructure tasks.
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Scalability: Enables rapid scaling of resources to match demand.
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Improved uptime: Automation can detect and resolve issues before they become critical.
Hyperautomation
Hyperautomation combines AI, machine learning, RPA, and other tools to automate as many business and IT processes as possible. It not only automates tasks but also identifies what can and should be automated.
Business Benefits:
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End-to-end automation: Covers processes from start to finish, with minimal human intervention.
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Real-time insights: AI-driven analysis supports smarter decision-making.
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Future-ready: Built to scale with your business and adapt to new technologies.
Ready to Put Automation to Work?
Kyocera’s AI and automation technologies give you a clear advantage in today’s competitive market. By integrating these solutions into your portfolio, you’re not just selling devices—you’re providing tools that help your customers grow smarter and faster.
Be the go-to partner your clients rely on for innovation, performance, and growth. Start delivering more value with Kyocera today.
Implementing automation isn’t just about replacing manual tasks—it’s about reimagining your operations for speed, accuracy, and growth.
For businesses ready to explore automation at scale, Kyocera’s Intelligent Automation Platform offers a unified solution that brings together document automation, AI-enhanced workflows, and robust analytics to streamline operations from end to end. Whether you're starting small with RPA or scaling into hyperautomation, Kyocera provides the tools to future-proof your business.
Discover how Kyocera Intelligent Automation can drive transformation across your organisation.