Only 7.41% of Spanish companies reach an advanced level of automation

Automation and the strategic use of data have become the new battleground for business competitiveness in Spain. However, the reality is that most organizations have not yet made the definitive leap. Only 7.41% of companies have reached an advanced level of data-driven process automation, while 44.5% continues to combine manual and automated processes, according to the report Digital Pulse 2025: Digital Maturity Barometer of Excelia, a Spanish consulting, technology and professional services firm.

The study, based on the opinions of more than 400 professionals from Spanish companies, shows that digitalization is progressing steadily, with increasing adoption of technological tools. However, many organizations have not yet made the leap to more advanced models based on automation and the strategic use of data, which limits their ability to improve efficiency, anticipate market changes, and compete in increasingly demanding environments.

Automation: the great challenge that remains

Although basic digitalization in Spanish companies has progressed in recent years, the automation of key processes such as finance, human resources, and operations is still in an intermediate stage. In fact, one in four companies (24.71%) continues to operate primarily with manual processes, which limits their efficiency and scalability.

Despite these limitations, data use is already showing more advanced development within Spanish organizations. 53.11% of the professionals surveyed state that data is essential for decision-making in their company, while 35.81% regularly use it, albeit moderately. Only 11.11% acknowledge that data plays a limited or almost nonexistent role in their strategic and operational decisions.

Automation and data, the key to the competitive leap

The Excelia report highlights that progress in digitalization no longer depends solely on adopting tools, but rather on companies' ability to integrate automation and data usage into their operations. Organizations that move in this direction improve efficiency, optimize resources, and strengthen their adaptability in increasingly competitive environments.

“Spanish companies have made progress in digitalization, but the real competitive leap lies not in incorporating more technology, but in transforming the way they operate. Automating processes and using data as the basis for decision-making is no longer an option; it is a requirement to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and gain agility.”, points out Antonio Cerdán, Hyperautomation Managing Director at Excelia, which adds: “Many organizations have taken an important first step by digitizing their operations, but they have not yet evolved into truly intelligent models. The challenge now is to integrate automation and data analytics coherently, to move from operational digitization to strategic digitization that directly impacts the business.

Excelia supports organizations in their evolution towards more advanced digital maturity models through a comprehensive approach that combines automation, data analytics and implementation of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence. Through solutions tailored to each company's needs, the company helps optimize processes, improve decision-making, and transform operations into more efficient and scalable models. All of this is aimed at boosting competitiveness, accelerating growth, and facilitating adaptation to an increasingly demanding business environment.