The state of workflow automation in 2025

In the evolving landscape of workflow automation in 2025, companies are increasingly adopting a layered and modular approach to streamline operations and improve efficiency. The primary methods include buying specialized SaaS tools for reliability and structured tasks, building in-house solutions for maximum control and customization, utilizing integrations platforms like Zapier for simple, event-driven automations, and deploying AI agents for flexible, context-rich workflows. Embedded integrations also play a role by allowing seamless communication between SaaS tools. Each of these approaches offers distinct advantages and trade-offs, with SaaS providing speed and reliability, in-house builds offering flexibility, integrations platforms ensuring accessibility, and agents adding adaptability. As organizations continue to navigate these options, they are not necessarily replacing SaaS but rather augmenting it with additional layers of automation, creating a more cohesive and efficient operational environment.