Hyperautomation – A Potato vs. Potatoe Situation Is Developing, But It Really Comes Down to Loving French Fries.

Physical automation has been around for a century, automation in its digital form for multiple decades, and automation in the guise of RPA for ten years.

We’ve discussed the evolution of RPA to Hyperautomation several times. That is not the intent of this, so please read on.

So why the Potato vs. Potatoe?

Every industry has its vocabulary, and technology definitions are no different – they are often intertwined and defined by multiple governing boards that prefer to operate in silos. These technology governing bodies focus on narrowing the definition of what particular technology is and is not. However, they present a broadening set of use cases instead of applying a similar narrowing to this technology’s intended use and best practices. One such proclamation is: Hyperautomation should be used in every process across your organization.

Let’s get silly…

One way I think of this is like McDonald’s introducing the commercial deep fryer to make french fry preparation easier. The commercial deep fryer was far from innovative technology, but Mcdonald’s unleashed its power by establishing a better way to cook fries versus conventional means (i.e., pan-fry and bake). But it would not have found its identity without accompanying best practices around cooking fries (5 minutes, lard ratio, refrying time, shelf life, etc.).

Across the industry, a deep fryer became a best practice. It was great at making french fries, and then someone had the brilliant idea that it can also make onion rings and chicken nuggets. Okay, that’s fine. Now we are using it to fry Snickers bars and Twinkies, things that are inappropriate for frying and taste worse than the original. As a result, we are getting unhealthier as a society.

So what’s the rub? Overusing technology beyond its intended purpose will add fat to an organization.

How do we solve the Potato vs. Potatoe Debate?

1. Use technology for its intended purpose

2. Stop fitting a square peg in a round hole

3. Maximize the potential of what you have (Think curly fries, waffle fries, cheese fries, and POUTINE instead of deep-fried Oreos)

4. Think about an organization from a physical fitness standpoint – don’t over-consume.

And most importantly, look to invent the next air fryer — that’s modernization, and now we are talking the same language!