Digital process automation (DPA) is a technology that helps businesses optimize, automate, and transform their processes using low-code or no-code tools. DPA can improve operational efficiency, customer experience, and innovation across various use cases and industries.

But how do you select the right DPA software for your needs? There are many vendors and products on the market, each with different strengths and weaknesses. To help you make an informed decision, Forrester has published a comprehensive report that evaluates 15 of the most significant DPA providers based on 26 criteria.

You can download the detailed report from here.

Forrester WaveTM: Digital Process Automation Software, Q4 2023

The report, titled “The Forrester WaveTM: Digital Process Automation Software, Q4 2023,” shows how each provider measures up and helps tech professionals select the right one for their needs. The report also provides insights into the current trends and challenges in the DPA market, such as:

• The shift toward the deep end of the DPA pool, where AI-led potential and complex use cases require professional developers and more sophisticated tools,
• The need for DPA governance to manage the processes under construction, active licenses, access permissions, and audit features
• The emergence of automation fabric, a next-generation architecture that centrally views and manages a hybrid workforce of both autonomous workplace assistants (AWAs) and humans, allocating tasks among them with data from running processes,

The report ranks the 15 DPA providers into four categories: leaders, strong performers, contenders, and challengers. The leaders are IBM, Appian, ServiceNow, and Microsoft. The strong performers are Camunda, Newgen Software, Axon Ivy, Bizagi, Nintex, Pegasystems, Salesforce, Hyland, and Kofax. The contenders are Bonitasoft and OpenText.

Digital Process Automation Software Vendors:

Here is a list of all digital process automation software vendors:

• IBM: A leader in DPA with a strong AI portfolio and a wide range of DPA functionality and industry expertise.
  • Benefits: stable and reliable product, robust case management, and customization options
• Appian: A leader in DPA with a focus on AI-led and deep end-to-end automation
  • Benefits: complete process automation platform, data fabric architecture, and customer success staff
• ServiceNow: A leader in DPA with a strong presence in service management and a DevOps style for managing automation apps. 
  • Benefits: large system integrator partner network, strong integration, security, and AI capabilities, and enterprise scalability.
• Microsoft: A leader in DPA with a low-code approach and wide adoption of Power Apps and Power Automate. 
  • Benefits: extensive connectors, data-driven automation, and flexible licensing
• Camunda: A strong performer in DPA with an open-source approach and a focus on professional developer efficiency. 
  • Benefits: standards and open architecture, process optimization, and competitive pricing
• Newgen Software: A strong performer in DPA with a balanced global business and a content-driven process automation platform. 
  • Benefits: content management and intelligence, document automation, and well-priced direct resources
• Axon Ivy: A strong performer in DPA with a focus on highly regulated use cases and scalability. 
  • Benefits: UX design tools, rules management, and embedded GenAI
• Bizagi: A strong performer in DPA with a strong foothold in Latin America and a focus on core workflow needs. 
  • Benefits: process optimization, document generation, and quick prototyping
• Nintex: A strong performer in DPA with a dedication to citizen development and a strong partnership channel. 
  • Benefits: document generation, RPA, e-signature, and production-level service and support
• Pegasystems: A strong performer in DPA with a blue-chip customer base and a market share leader. 
  • Benefits: AI, case management, governance, end-to-end orchestration, and business rules
• Salesforce: A strong performer in DPA with a low-code approach and a strong foothold in LOB domains. 
  • Benefits: Flow’s DPA strengths, Anypoint integration, and AI development tools
• Hyland: A strong performer in DPA with a content-driven process automation platform and deep industry expertise. 
  • Benefits: content management and intelligence, capture, and blockchain
• Kofax: A contender in DPA with a focus on complex document processing and document intelligence. 
  • Benefits: IDP, RPA, case management frameworks, and invoice management
• Bonitasoft: A contender in DPA with an open-source approach and a focus on professional developers. 
  • Benefits: BPMN definitions, self-contained app architecture, and modular approach
• penText: A contender in DPA with a pioneer in content management and a content-driven process automation platform. 
  • Benefits: AppWorks, content management and intelligence, and e-signature

The report also provides detailed product evaluations and customizable rankings based on an Excel-based vendor comparison tool. If you are looking for Digital Process Automation (DPA) software that can help you automate and transform your processes, you should read this report and use the tool to find the best fit for your business. You can also contact Forrester for further guidance and advice.