An Intelligent Enterprise Workflow Automation Framework for SAP ECC Standard Business Processes through the Integration of Robotic Process Automation and Machine Learning Techniques

Abstract

Enterprise resource planning systems have become fundamental to organisational operations, yet many SAP ECC business processes continue to depend on repetitive manual activities that reduce operational efficiency, increase processing time, and introduce inconsistencies in decision making. This study investigates the development of an intelligent enterprise workflow automation framework that integrates Robotic Process Automation and Machine Learning techniques to improve the execution of standard SAP ECC business processes. The research addresses the challenge of balancing process standardisation with adaptive decision support while maintaining operational reliability across core business functions. A mixed research approach is adopted by combining qualitative analysis of enterprise workflow requirements with quantitative evaluation of process performance indicators obtained from representative business scenarios. The proposed framework employs software robots to automate rule based transactional activities and incorporates machine learning models to support classification, prediction, and exception handling within selected workflows. The framework establishes a coordinated interaction between automation components, business rules, and enterprise data to enhance workflow continuity and resource utilisation. Evaluation demonstrates improvements in processing efficiency, transaction accuracy, response time, and operational consistency while reducing manual intervention and administrative workload. The findings indicate that the integration of intelligent automation technologies strengthens organisational productivity, supports informed decision making, and promotes sustainable process improvement without disrupting established SAP ECC environments. The study contributes a structured automation framework that extends existing knowledge on enterprise workflow optimization and offers practical guidance for organisations seeking scalable and reliable automation strategies. The proposed approach provides both academic value and industrial relevance by presenting a systematic foundation for future research and enterprise automation initiatives.