1. Introduction
In 2025, enterprise automation has evolved from a tactical advantage to a strategic imperative. Gartner‘s latest analyses underscore this shift, highlighting how automation tools are central to digital transformation, operational efficiency, and innovation. With the proliferation of AI, machine learning, and hybrid cloud infrastructures, organizations are re-evaluating their automation strategies to remain competitive in an increasingly complex technological landscape.ItentialActiveBatch by Redwood
Gartner’s comprehensive reports, including the 2025 Market Guide for Infrastructure Automation & Orchestration Tools and the Top Strategic Technology Trends for 2025 , offer critical insights into the current state and future trajectory of enterprise automation. These resources provide valuable guidance for IT leaders aiming to navigate the rapidly evolving automation ecosystem.Decisions+4Itential+4Chef Software+4Gartner+1Gartner+1
This article delves into Gartner’s perspectives on automation tools within the enterprise, exploring key findings, vendor evaluations, strategic recommendations, and emerging trends. By synthesizing Gartner’s research, we aim to equip decision-makers with the knowledge to make informed choices about automation investments and strategies.
2. Background & Context
The enterprise automation landscape has undergone significant transformation over the past decade. Initially focused on automating repetitive tasks through Robotic Process Automation (RPA), organizations have expanded their automation efforts to encompass complex workflows, decision-making processes, and end-to-end operations.
Gartner’s 2024 revisit of IT automation trends highlighted the emergence of hyperautomation, the integration of AI and machine learning into automation processes, and the challenges associated with digital transformation . These developments have necessitated a more holistic approach to automation, moving beyond isolated tools to integrated platforms that can orchestrate diverse processes across the enterprise.ActiveBatch by Redwood+1ActiveBatch by Redwood+1
The convergence of DevOps and MLOps into unified pipelines exemplifies this shift. Traditional DevOps practices, focused on continuous integration and delivery, are being integrated with MLOps workflows that manage data preprocessing, model training, and deployment. This unification addresses inefficiencies arising from siloed operations and enhances collaboration across engineering, data science, and operations teams .TechRadar
Furthermore, Gartner’s emphasis on delivering infrastructure as a product underscores the need for platforms that can orchestrate execution, enforce policy, and support AI-driven operations . This approach aligns with the broader trend of treating infrastructure and automation as integral components of product delivery, rather than as separate, supporting functions.Itential
3. Key Highlights from the Report
Gartner’s 2025 Market Guide for Infrastructure Automation & Orchestration Tools provides several key insights into the current state of enterprise automation:Decisions+4Itential+4Chef Software+4
3.1. Automation as a Strategic Imperative
Automation is no longer a tactical initiative but a strategic necessity. Organizations are leveraging automation to enhance agility, reduce operational costs, and improve service delivery. This strategic focus requires a shift from isolated automation efforts to comprehensive, enterprise-wide strategies.Itential
3.2. Integration of AI and Machine Learning
The integration of AI and machine learning into automation platforms enables more intelligent decision-making and predictive capabilities. This integration supports the development of adaptive systems that can respond dynamically to changing business environments.
3.3. Unified DevOps and MLOps Pipelines
The unification of DevOps and MLOps pipelines addresses the challenges of deploying machine learning models into production. By integrating these workflows, organizations can streamline operations, improve collaboration, and enhance the scalability of AI applications .TechRadar
3.4. Emphasis on Infrastructure as a Product
Treating infrastructure as a product involves delivering infrastructure services with the same rigor and discipline as application development. This approach necessitates platforms that can orchestrate execution, enforce policies, and support AI-driven operations .Itential
3.5. Focus on Low-Code and No-Code Solutions
Gartner predicts a significant rise in enterprise automation using low-code and no-code platforms. These solutions empower business users to develop and deploy automation workflows without extensive coding knowledge, accelerating digital transformation initiatives .Comidor
4. Deep Dive on Top Vendors
Gartner’s evaluations highlight several leading vendors in the enterprise automation space:
4.1. SS&C Blue Prism
SS&C Blue Prism offers an intelligent automation platform that enables organizations to automate end-to-end business processes. Its digital workforce technology enhances process efficiency, reduces operating costs, and allows employees to focus on higher-value work .Gartner
4.2. IBM Business Automation Workflow
IBM’s Business Automation Workflow combines business process management and case management capabilities. It facilitates the design, execution, and monitoring of business processes, supporting digital transformation efforts across various industries .Gartner
4.3. Nintex Automation On-Prem
Nintex provides a comprehensive automation platform that includes workflow automation, document generation, and process intelligence. Its on-premises solution caters to organizations with specific compliance and data residency requirements .Gartner
4.4. UiPath
UiPath is recognized for its user-friendly RPA platform that enables the automation of repetitive tasks across various applications. Its low-code interface allows business users to develop automation workflows, accelerating the adoption of RPA in organizations .DialZara+1Gartner+1
4.5. Redwood Software
Redwood Software specializes in service orchestration and automation platforms (SOAPs). It has been ranked first in Gartner’s Critical Capabilities for SOAPs, particularly in IT workload automation, IT workflow orchestration, and citizen automation use cases .Solutions Review+2Redwood+2Gartner+2
5. Strategic Takeaways for Buyers
When selecting automation tools, organizations should consider the following strategic takeaways:
5.1. Align Automation with Business Objectives
Automation initiatives should be closely aligned with the organization’s strategic goals. This alignment ensures that automation efforts contribute directly to business value and support long-term objectives.
5.2. Prioritize Integration and Scalability
Choose automation platforms that can integrate seamlessly with existing systems and scale to meet future demands. Scalable solutions accommodate growth and evolving business needs without requiring significant reconfiguration.
5.3. Embrace Low-Code and No-Code Platforms
Adopting low-code and no-code automation platforms empowers business users to participate in automation efforts, accelerating deployment and reducing reliance on IT resources.
5.4. Focus on Governance and Compliance
Implement robust governance frameworks to manage automation initiatives effectively. Ensure that automation tools comply with relevant regulations and support auditability and transparency.
6. Future Outlook or Market Trends
Looking ahead, several trends are poised to shape the enterprise automation landscape:
6.1. Increased Adoption of AI-Driven Automation
The integration of AI and machine learning into automation platforms will enable more intelligent and adaptive systems. These capabilities will support predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and autonomous decision-making.
6.2. Expansion of Hyperautomation
Hyperautomation, which involves the combination of multiple automation tools to augment human capabilities, will continue to gain traction. Organizations will leverage hyperautomation to streamline complex processes and enhance operational efficiency.
6.3. Emphasis on Employee Experience
Automation initiatives will increasingly focus on improving the employee experience by eliminating repetitive tasks and enabling more meaningful work. This focus aligns with broader trends in employee well-being and engagement .Gartner
6.4. Growth of Automation in Network Operations
Gartner predicts that by 2026, approximately 30% of companies will automate more than half of their network activities, highlighting the growing importance of automation in network operations .blog.botcity.dev
7. Conclusion + Call to Action (CTA)
As enterprise automation continues to evolve, organizations must adopt strategic approaches to leverage its full potential. Gartner’s insights provide valuable guidance for navigating the complex automation landscape, from selecting the right tools to aligning automation initiatives with business objectives.
By embracing integrated platforms, prioritizing scalability, and focusing on employee experience, organizations can drive digital transformation and achieve operational
Sources
