Accenture Ranked #1 in 2016 HfS RPA Premier League Table for Transformation Enablers

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is gaining traction as a solution that enables digital speed to market and reduces costs, but enterprises often need help to effectively select and deploy solutions at scale for maximum impact. Research firm HfS is tracking the progression of RPA and recently ranked Accenture #1 in its 2016 HfS RPA Premier League Table for Transformation Enablers. Accenture captured the #1 position based on a holistic strategy for intelligent automation with strong innovation.

According to the report, “Accenture is pushing the envelope on innovation while leveraging the transformational capabilities of its consulting division. Crucially, it is driving a holistic approach Intelligent Automation by defining a spectrum of technologies that span RPA, virtual agents, natural language processing, machine learning, advanced analytics and other areas of artificial intelligence. A broad set of proprietary tools is complementing the plethora of third party tools. A strong example is the Accenture Robotics Solution, which has added proprietary RPA capabilities to its portfolio. The solution is modular and able to integrate optional technologies for each client.

“As the lines blur between technologies such as RPA, intelligent automation and artificial intelligence, companies need a holistic approach that builds on what we call RPA 2.0 – a combination of first generation RPA tools combines and more advanced AI skills that give additional contextual information in order to automate an IT or business process,” said Paul Daugherty, chief technology & innovation officer, Accenture. “We see our #1 ranking in this HfS report as the result of our strong innovation around RPA. This includes applied research, cognitive computing capabilities and functionality around the Internet of Things, combined to build concrete solutions that provide the agility and efficiency needed to transform business operations.”

"Accenture has quickly grabbed the bull by the horns with Intelligent Automation to drive a holistic strategy focused on all key aspects of the HFS Intelligent Automation Continuum, with strong proven capabilities with RPA (Robotics Process Automation) and an impressive technology agnostic approach to deploying multiple RPA solutions across several clients,” said Phil Fersht, Chief Analyst and CEO of HfS Research. “In addition, Accenture is quickly advancing its capabilities with cognitive analytics, integration with Google and Facebook, and the enablement of virtual agents, which is where the future of intelligent, self-learning value-based services lies."

The RPA Premier League Table builds on the HfS Intelligent Automation Blueprint, which strongly positioned Accenture in the Winner’s Circle as the overall leader in Innovation. According to HfS, RPA should be seen as a subset of the broader service delivery capabilities of the service providers.  While the Intelligent Automation Blueprint has outlined the way in which service delivery at large is being innovated and disrupted by automation, the Premier League Table is analyzing details of RPA centric strategies and deployments—focusing on implementations not just broader advisory services or tool selection projects. 

“RPA is becoming an essential co-worker for companies in the digital age,” said Bhaskar Ghosh, group chief executive, Accenture Technology Services. “It’s a constellation of technologies that can drive improved productivity and quality of services. Accenture’s proprietary RPA 2.0 tools and capabilities are just the start of our strategy to help companies unlock the trapped value of data and truly automate processes from end-to-end.”

“For years, Accenture has invested in RPA technology to transform the way we deliver business process and infrastructure services to drive new levels of productivity, compliance, quality and user experience while freeing up talent to focus on higher-value analysis, decision-making and innovation,” said Debbie Polishook, group chief executive, Accenture Operations. “By smartly integrating these technologies, we are able transform entire processes, creating new business opportunities and delivering business outcomes for our clients at a scale and pace otherwise unimaginable.”