Low Code, Hyperautomation and Digital Transformation: The Cornerstones of Innovation

A Conversation with Swaminathan Iyer, Head Digital, Digital Transformation, ViacomCBS

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Cognitive technologies such as robotic process automation (RPA), machine learning (ML) and intelligent automation (IA), are moving from the back-office to the front lines. In addition to leveraging these tools to automate behind-the-scenes processes such as invoice validation and claims management, companies are increasingly applying these tools to high value activities that fuel digital transformation efforts.

Few industries have changed more in the past 20 years than traditional media: radio, broadcast television, cable, print, and film. As media companies such as ViacomCBS look to launch new digital products, they’re looking towards low code automation to enable and accelerate this process. 

To learn more about what this entails, we recently sat down with Swaminathan Iyer, Head Digital, Digital Transformation at ViacomCBS, to learn more about how ViacomCBS is embracing low code tools to democratize and accelerate innovation. Swami will also be joining us May 18th, 2021 at the Low Code Automation event where he’ll be presenting on “Living On The Edge: Digital Transformation To Outpace Disruption.” 

 

Understand the Platform

Gone are the days of linear TV whereby viewers watched TV programs live at their scheduled time. Now viewers consume television shows any time and any way they want to. 

For legacy television producers such as ViacomCBS, this means they have to break down every 30-60 minute television program into smaller, internet friendly bits. “You don't change your storyline dramatically, but you need to change the delivery mechanism of the storyline to cater to the platform. And if it's Tik Tok, it will be a little different storyline, it's a different way of doing it,” Swami explains, adding, “you also need to add a lot of things like meta data, subtitles, things like that.” 



Understand and Adapt the Technology Ecosystem 

“I think it's important that you, first and foremost, understand the current state of your technology ecosystem and where it needs to go in the near future,” Swami tells us. 

However, adapting enterprise technology at the same pace as externally-driven disruptive change is not always possible.  “It will not happen overnight because sometimes it requires huge investments in technology. So you need to also think about, can we make the investment today? Or can I live with this half-baked process for now?”.

Automate What You Can

Using cognitive technologies, Swami’s team is automating as many repetitive processes as possible. For example, with ML, they can transcribe hours of videos in minutes. Using IA, they can automate feature testing for larger application builds. 

Automating end-to-end processes not only increases efficiency, it also enables agility. As a result, media companies such as CBSViacom are no longer tied to the office: they can shoot, produce and edit content anytime and anywhere, even remotely. 


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