By Georgina Watkins, Writer

In today’s climate of economic uncertainty, many firms are looking to reposition and adapt through automation. Investing in robotic process automation (RPA) can help SAP customers reduce bottlenecks and improve workplace efficiency. Bots can automatically perform manual and repetitive tasks, reducing the need for human intervention. However, firms need data scientists to oversee these systems and analyze data. In fact, the demand for data science skills is predicted to increase by up to 27.9% by 2026. More and more employers are acknowledging the value of technology to drive growth and expansion, and the increasing number of specialists studying data science at degree level online is feeding this demand. The rise in data science graduates led to Glassdoor naming it the best job in America in 2018, with the average job growth for research analysts alone at 27%. By hiring from this wide pool of expert data scientists, businesses can obtain fresh and actionable insights that will help them succeed in the future.

It can help increase the adoption rate of AI and SAP

Data science experts can help boost the adoption of artificial intelligence and SAP by deciding which applications best suit the needs of your business. In addition to RPA, SAP Analytics Cloud offers useful business intelligence for predictive analysis. SAP Smart Predict applications use historical data to determine certain trends, such as the best time to offer discounts. In addition, SAP Conversational AI enables the creation of chatbots so that they can be trained, developed, and connected to improve customer service.

It can help identify customer preferences

In this day and age, customer preferences can shift quickly without warning. Before developing new products, big data can give companies valuable recommendations and deliver specialized content. Data science can help refine customer targeting by analyzing data sets and uncovering insights. Conducting an in-depth study into their motivations, behavior, and purchasing habits will help attract and engage potential consumers while improving customer retention. Taking a strategic approach to pricing, forecasting, and customer satisfaction is key to business success.

It can improve future decision-making processes

When it comes down to it, data science can help businesses prepare for the future. Choosing which direction to go can be a complex task, especially when leaders have varying opinions. Basing major decisions on solid data can speed up this process. However, statistics show that around 80% of all data is unstructured, and requires predictive analytics to make sense of it. Based on certain metrics and models, data scientists can run predictive models and decide which choices ultimately yield higher revenue and boost engagement.

It can provide aid throughout the recruitment process

The human resource department of any business is often overwhelmed with the amount of paperwork that they receive. The process of interviewing, selecting, and training candidates who are right for the role can be extremely lengthy and costly for organizations. Data science can help simplify this process by creating automated systems that reduce much of the manual labor required. Centralized candidate profiles can combine social media, corporate profiles, and job search databases to help businesses research and recruit the most suitable talent.

It can help businesses innovate and stay competitive

Big data can help companies update their current products to create new offerings. By analyzing data from customer feedback, their competition, and previous product performance, businesses can tailor their marketing campaigns so that they are completely backed by research. Instead of operating on instinct, monitoring online sales, as well as point-of-sale transactions, can identify gaps in their system and make key changes that build greater brand loyalty.

By providing greater intelligence and support to businesses right where they need it most, data scientists have become an invaluable company asset. They provide the in-house expertise necessary to create workable solutions and achieve business objectives. Whether its customer service, pricing, marketing, or recruitment, applying data science to historical data can help businesses leverage AI and SAP technology as industries continue to evolve.