The operations function is dominated by technological advancements. Robotics, while not yet perfected, will allow for the greater centralisation of core operations functions and the emergence of centres of excellence to transform legacy processes.

Emerging strategies include combining OCR and AI to digitise documentation at the front-end, enabling more streamlined and less manual workflows. More holistically, the question remains, whether outsourcing specialists will be able to perfect their models at scale, making in-house solutions and captives less viable, or if companies will feel they're better positioned to leverage their own technology functions to benefit operations. Lean and agile methodologies (and their alternatives) continue to gain prominence and permeate through all business operations.