This week in process excellence

It was the first full working week of the year for many of us and a lively one in the world of process excellence.

On Monday, our Research & Reports bulletin highlighted 英伟达 ’s 2024 AI, automation and robotics research milestones. Most focused on generative AI – including “StormCast” and “MaskedMimic” which enable more advanced weather forecasts and motion inpainting for robotics. There was also “GluFormer,” which uses AI to predict future blood sugar levels and help determine the impact of dietary changes as well as “ConsiStory,” which allows for multiple AI image prompts with a consistent subject. “Of course, we continue to develop new models and methods for AI, and expect even more exciting results next year,” Nvidia wrote.

Meanwhile, new research analyzed how business process model and notation (BPMN) diagrams optimize business process management (BPM) and help improve team dynamics. BPMN is a graphical representation for specifying business processes in a business process model. “The structured use of BPMN has been shown to foster a shared understanding among different project teams, which is crucial for the synchronized execution of complex IT projects,” the researchers wrote. The application of BPMN diagrams can enhance process transparency, increase the efficiency of interdepartmental communication and optimize resource utilization, they added.

Elsewhere, researchers explored the use of a simulation-based digital twin approach to assess and quantify operational improvements in emergency medical communication centers (EMCCs), a new report assessed the current mobile BPM industry examining the market’s overall growth, trends, developments and challenges and academics introduced a framework for data-driven reliability assessment of manufacturing systems using process mining.

On Wednesday, we covered the latest updates from industry Vendors and service providers. Tech giant and process mining provider IBM announced a lawsuit settlement with semiconductor firm GlobalFoundries , resolving all litigation matters inclusive of breach of contract, trade secrets and intellectual property claims between the two companies. The settlement marked the end of an ongoing legal dispute and allows the companies to “explore new opportunities for collaboration” in areas of mutual interest.

In other news, A2MAC1 - Decode the future partnered with 微软 to transform automotive engineering processes. A2MAC1’s new cost and sustainability suite (CSS), now available on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, enables customers to accelerate vehicle development cycles, save cost and optimize carbon footprint through an integrated experience. Furthermore, intelligent automation solutions firm Naviant signed an agreement to acquire LBMC Technology Solutions ’ OnBase software practice, Aptean added intelligent automation capabilities with the acquisition of JobRouter AG and automation vendor OPEX Corporation marked 50 years of developing innovative technology solutions for customers.

There were a few new appointments too, with Geoffrey Gabelle becoming head of partnerships at process mining and process intelligence provider Celonis , Daniel Reeve joining the executive committee of automation solutions firm Esker and Antti Karjalainen departing Robocorp /Sema4.ai for Digital Workforce Services Plc .

On Friday, our Community news featured 麦当劳 prioritization of operational excellence (OPEX) while scaling back certain diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals. The fast-food giant is running internal competitions designed to improve operational efficiency by encouraging traffic growth, speed of service and digital execution but will no longer set “aspirational representation goals,” instead focusing on embedding inclusion practices that grow the business into its everyday process and operations.

Meanwhile, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang declared that AI agents are a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity and claimed the agentic AI age is well and truly here. Speaking at the CES 2025 technology event in Las Vegas, he unveiled the company’s next generation of graphics processing units (GPUs) and said that AI is advancing at an “incredible pace.”

Elsewhere, Formula E announced plans to use generative AI to revolutionize driver performance analysis, delivering personalized insights and real-time feedback to empower drivers. Formula E is collaborating with Google Cloud in a new multi-year AI and technology partnership. “New technology and solutions developed alongside Google Cloud will further enhance the performance and potential of our race cars, providing even faster, closer and more action-packed racing for our fans,” commented Jeff Dodds , CEO of Formula E.

In other news, 德国亚琛工业大学 announced the launch of a new online course on object-centric process mining. Led by Professor Wil van der Aalst , the course explores the evolution of process mining, tackling complex, multi-object processes and equipping learners with cutting-edge tools and insights to solve real-world challenges. Meanwhile, American sportswear company Under Armour positioned itself for growth and market differentiation by focusing on operational efficiency and a raft of business process experts discussed the biggest BPM topics of 2025 in the latest episode of the New Process Podcast .

Wishing you all a great end to the week and we’ll be back on Monday with more of the latest headlines in process excellence!