Beyond Efficiency: Technology for Transformative Change

Photo by Osman Talha Dikyar on Unsplash  

When it comes to technological progress, efficiency often takes centre stage. Businesses and industries celebrate and prioritise technologies that streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance productivity. However, this focus on efficiency risks overlooking the opportunity for transformative change. Emerging technologies such as 3D printing (additive manufacturing) and robotic process automation (RPA) are optimising existing systems and reshaping industries, redefining supply chains, and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future.  

Traditional technological improvements tend to refine existing processes, making them faster, cheaper, or more precise. But true transformation happens when technology facilitates entirely new ways of operating. 3D printing is a good example of a technology that transcends efficiency. Unlike conventional subtractive manufacturing which carves material away, 3D printing builds objects layer by layer, drastically reducing waste. Its transformative potential goes even further. Instead of relying on global supply chains, companies use decentralised production, manufacturing products on-demand, locally, reducing carbon emissions from transportation. 3D printing also allows for the use of recycled materials and facilitates product designs that are easier to repair, remanufacture, or recycle. Lastly, moving away from one-size-fits-all models, 3D printing allows for personalised products, reducing overproduction and excess inventory.

Industries from aerospace to healthcare are already leveraging these shifts. For instance, companies like Adidas collaborated with 3D printing companies like Carbon to create customised, waste-minimised sneakers, while medical firms produce patient-specific implants on demand.  

Robotic Process Automation is another technology hailed for cutting costs by automating repetitive tasks. Its deeper impact lies in freeing human workers from mundane labour, creating more time to focus on creative, strategic, and value-driven work. By automating data entry, logistics tracking, and compliance reporting, RPA minimises errors and inefficiencies that lead to resource waste. AI-powered RPA can also analyse vast datasets to optimise energy use in buildings, reduce excess inventory, and improve supply chain sustainability. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can now access automation tools that were once exclusive to large corporations, allowing them to implement sustainable practices at scale. 

Automation Anywhere specialises in RPA. Deploying a combination of hybrid, unattended and attended bots, Automation Anywhere reduces human errors, speeds up processes, and cuts operational costs. It works across a range of industries including finance, healthcare, retail and manufacturing. 

3D printing and RPA exemplify how technology can drive systemic change and improve optimisation. By embracing these innovations with a sustainability-first approach, industries can move towards a future where economic growth aligns with ecological balance. As proud investors in both Carbon and Automation Anywhere, we will continue to support and invest in innovative technologies that change the world for the better.