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Chemicals industry highlights role of process management in cloud plans

Staff, Appian
November 17, 2014

A recent Accenture study found that the entire chemicals industry has begun a large-scale shift toward digitization. This move is headed by plans to implement cloud computing and big data strategies, but uneven strategies across departmental boundaries and a variety of challenges in transitioning to a digital environment are emerging.

These difficulties highlight the importance of sophisticatedbusiness processesas a way to help organizations deal with a change to digital work methodologies. Cloud computing and similar technologies offer considerable potential for innovation, but taking advantage of those possibilities hinges on being able to effectively align business operations with technological change.

Cloud computing and the chemicals sector

Approximately 94 percent of those polled by Accenture said that C-level executives are aggressively pursuing a move toward digitization. This figure is even greater than the 91 percent of respondents that said their business is being driven by a digital agenda. The problem is that there are some gaps in how different departments are going digital. In general, the majority of respondents in each area of operations said they are embracing digital operations, with IT topping out at 86 percent. However, only 44 percent of human resources workers polled said they are experiencing a large move toward digitization.

When asked which technologies are expected to have the largest impact on chemicals organizations generating a return on investment while moving toward digital operations, approximately 80 percent of respondents pointed to the cloud, while 72 percent cited big data. The expectation is that digital technologies are poised to change the entire chemicals industry, and 87 percent of respondents said that organizations that fail to innovate will fall behind.

Responding to a move toward digitalization

With sectors like the chemical industry embracing digital tools as a way to get the job done more effectively, there is a subsequent need to adjust processes to ensure those technologies have the desired effect. Business process management software provides a prime starting point in this area because it enables organizations to take a close look at their processes, standardize operations when possible and implement automation. Cloud BPM solutions, in particular, are helpful as they deliver BPM functionality through the cloud, making process management hubs accessible through a wide array of devices and through more accessible deployment methods.

BPM solutions are equipping organizations with the tools they need to adapt and become flexible as they enact technological change, something that is increasingly important as more organizations implement cloud computing and similarly disruptiveIT strategies.