Business process analysts might be eyeing the latest launch from Software AG with a mix of curiosity and caution. The newly unveiled ARIS 10 SR27, complete with an AI-enabled “Companion” feature, promises to make business process management (BPM) smoother and more efficient. The question is, will it also redefine the roles of analysts who depend on BPM tools daily?
ARIS’s latest upgrade uses AI to streamline complex tasks, potentially freeing analysts from hours of meticulous modeling and allowing them to focus on high-value work. But not everyone sees this as a purely positive development. For some, AI advancements bring concerns about job security and a need to rethink their place in the industry.
ARIS 10 SR27: A New Tool to Automate and Elevate BPM
The latest ARIS release promises a range of functionalities designed to make life easier for business process analysts. AI Companion, the standout feature, allows users to query data within ARIS without needing precise keywords, making information retrieval faster and more intuitive. In addition, it translates text-based descriptions directly into structured BPM models, cutting down on tedious manual tasks that often bog down analysts.
There’s also an added functionality allowing users to generate code and key performance indicators (KPIs) without coding expertise. This AI-driven approach provides “actionable insights” based on real-time data, helping users identify where their organization’s practices are straying from standard processes.
Vince Mirabelli, principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group, sees this tool as a welcome change. “This tool presents an opportunity to alleviate much of the grunt work associated with constructing a process model,” he says, explaining that it enables analysts to focus on bigger-picture goals. Instead of getting stuck in repetitive tasks, analysts can now concentrate on improving processes and reimagining workflow possibilities.
AI Companion: Practical Development or Industry Disruption?
Marc Vietor, chief product officer for ARIS, explains that the concept for AI Companion took root over 18 months ago. “As ChatGPT became viable, we started looking into ways to integrate AI in a meaningful way for our customers,” he shared. Following a pilot phase launched in April, the company tested the tool with close customer partners who applied it to real-world scenarios.
The feedback has been promising, Vietor says, with use cases showing that AI Companion “just works” across various industries. The new tool allows analysts to concentrate on high-value activities such as optimizing workflows and driving organizational change rather than drowning in manual efforts.
But not everyone is convinced the shift will be seamless. Gartner analyst Whit Andrews sees ARIS’s upgrade as emblematic of AI’s “long tail” effect—one that fills specific niche needs but also brings about significant change for those who rely on traditional methods. This development isn’t just about making BPM easier; it raises questions about the future role of the business process analyst in a world increasingly dominated by AI automation.
Adapting to Change: A New Approach to Employment?
For many analysts, AI-driven tools like ARIS’s new version signal an industry-wide shift. As Whit Andrews suggests, tools like AI Companion may eventually force analysts to “approach employment in a new way.” While some may embrace these changes, others could find them unsettling, especially if they take pride in the hands-on aspects of BPM.
For those uncertain about this shift, Andrews offers a word of advice: “Invest time in experimentation today to determine whether this kind of task aligns with your future ambitions.” Some may feel their skills are being replaced, while others might find AI frees them to focus on the parts of the job they enjoy most. As Andrews puts it, the difference will depend on what each person values in their work.
Andrews doesn’t downplay the impact of these shifts. “This change presents meaningful financial disruption for individuals,” he says. For some, it’s a wake-up call—an indication that the clock is ticking on traditional BPM roles. However, he also points out that for many, this will be an opportunity to specialize further or to refocus on the higher-level aspects of the work they love.
From Grunt Work to Strategy: Shifting Analyst Responsibilities
With ARIS 10 SR27, Software AG aims to let analysts focus on strategy by taking over repetitive work. According to Vietor, this is about “concentrating on the value creation part of the job, like optimizing the process and managing change.” Rather than fearing job displacement, he sees ARIS as an upgrade that “improves the quality dramatically” and allows for a more strategic focus.
Mirabelli echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that AI Companion will liberate analysts from “the inertia of ‘that’s the way we’ve always done it.’” Freed from the constraints of manual tasks, analysts can now pivot to a role where they are active collaborators in process innovation.
Yet, the question remains: Will all analysts view this shift positively? For some, the hands-on nature of process modeling has always been part of the job’s appeal. As AI automates these functions, analysts may find themselves pushed into a more advisory role—one that prioritizes creative problem-solving and strategic vision over detailed process construction.
Navigating a New Landscape of BPM
This new iteration of ARIS signals a broader trend in the AI field: a focus on niche applications that solve specific industry needs. As Andrews describes it, the emergence of AI products with such a “long tail” effect indicates that we’re moving into a phase where specialized AI tools reshape industries from within, starting with focused improvements.
For business process analysts, the task now will be to leverage these advancements to their advantage. Rather than seeing automation as a threat, many will find that it allows them to delve into the more strategic elements of BPM, creating room for innovation in an industry that can sometimes feel rigid.
At the end of the day, ARIS 10 SR27 is as much about transforming the industry as it is about enhancing BPM. For analysts open to change, the new AI-driven features offer a chance to reimagine their role, moving from operational minutiae to broader strategic contributions.
