AtLed Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yasuhiro Okamoto; hereinafter referred to as AtLed), a leading company in workflow systems, conducted a survey on the actual state of workflow selection criteria in the AI era. The survey targeted 111 individuals in charge of information systems, general affairs, and DX promotion who are considering implementing or switching workflow systems, or who have implemented one within the last three years.

01 | Over 90% of IT staff organize their business flows before implementation.

02 | "Faithful reproduction of paper forms" was the most important selection criterion at 47.7%.

03 | In the AI era, "robustness of approval and auditing" is the new top priority criterion at 55.0%.

Survey Overview

Survey Name: Survey on the Actual State of Workflow Selection Criteria in the AI Era

Survey Method: Internet survey conducted by IDEATECH's research marketing service "Resapy®︎"

Survey Period: June 17, 2026 - June 18, 2026

Valid Responses: 111 individuals in charge of information systems, general affairs, and DX promotion who are considering implementing or switching workflow systems, or who have implemented one within the last three years.

*Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding of the second decimal place.

Workflow Systems in Use or Under Consideration: "Groupware/Other SaaS Bundled Functions" Top at 75.7%

When asked, "Q1. Please tell us the type of workflow system your company is currently using (or considering). (Multiple answers allowed)" (n=111), the responses were: "Groupware/Other SaaS Bundled Functions (e.g., desknet's NEO, Cybozu Office, kintone, Microsoft 365, etc.)" at 75.7%, "Dedicated Workflow Systems (e.g., X-point Cloud, AgileWorks, etc.)" at 57.7%, and "ERP/Core System Bundled Functions" at 37.8%.

Q1. Please tell us the type of workflow system your company is currently using (or considering). (Multiple answers allowed)

・Groupware/Other SaaS Bundled Functions (e.g., desknet's NEO, Cybozu Office, kintone, Microsoft 365, etc.): 75.7%

・Dedicated Workflow Systems (e.g., X-point Cloud, AgileWorks, etc.): 57.7%

・ERP/Core System Bundled Functions: 37.8%

・Custom-developed original workflow system: 14.4%

・Other: 0.0%

・Don't know/Cannot answer: 0.0%

Over Half of Staff "Already Utilizing" Generative AI for Approval Processes

When asked, "Q2. Does your company utilize generative AI or AI agents for workflow tasks such as approvals and reviews?" (n=111), the responses were: "Already utilizing" at 50.5% and "Considering implementation/utilization" at 43.2%.

Q2. Does your company utilize generative AI or AI agents for workflow tasks such as approvals and reviews?

・Already utilizing: 50.5%

・Considering implementation/utilization: 43.2%

・Not utilizing but interested: 5.4%

・Not utilizing and not interested: 0.9%

・Don't know/Cannot answer: 0.0%

Most Important Criterion for Workflow Selection: "Faithful Reproduction of Existing Paper Forms" at 47.7%

When asked, "Q3. What criteria did you prioritize (or are prioritizing) when selecting a workflow system? (Up to 3 answers allowed)" (n=111), the responses were: "Ease of faithfully reproducing existing paper forms (application format/layout)" at 47.7%, "Flexible setting/modification of approval routes" at 36.9%, and "High interoperability with other systems/services" at 36.9%.

Q3. What criteria did you prioritize (or are prioritizing) when selecting a workflow system? (Up to 3 answers allowed)

・Ease of faithfully reproducing existing paper forms (application format/layout): 47.7%

・Flexible setting/modification of approval routes: 36.9%

・High interoperability with other systems/services: 36.9%

・AI integration and future AI utilization capabilities: 27.0%

・Comprehensive data aggregation and analysis functions: 23.4%

・Implementation costs and monthly usage fees within budget: 17.1%

・Scalability and customization flexibility: 16.2%

・Robust security standards and compliance measures: 12.6%

・Abundant implementation track record: 6.3%

・Vendor support system and responsiveness: 2.7%

・Ability to operate in-house with no-code: 0.9%

・Other: 0.0%

・Don't know/Cannot answer: 0.0%

91.9% of Staff Organized Business Flows Before Implementation

When asked, "Q4. Before selecting/implementing a workflow system, did you organize your company's business flows (e.g., eliminate unnecessary approval steps, simplify operations)?" (n=111), the responses were: "Sufficiently implemented" at 27.9% and "Somewhat implemented" at 64.0%.

Q4. Before selecting/implementing a workflow system, did you organize your company's business flows (e.g., eliminate unnecessary approval steps, simplify operations)?

・Sufficiently implemented: 27.9%

・Somewhat implemented: 64.0%

・Barely implemented: 8.1%

・Not implemented at all: 0.0%

・Don't know/Cannot answer: 0.0%

84.7% of Staff "Satisfied" with Current Workflow Selection Results, While 15.3% are "Not Very Satisfied"

When asked, "Q5. Overall, are you satisfied with the results of your current workflow system selection?" (n=111), the responses were: "Very satisfied" at 27.0% and "Somewhat satisfied" at 57.7%.

Q5. Overall, are you satisfied with the results of your current workflow system selection?

・Very satisfied: 27.0%

・Somewhat satisfied: 57.7%

・Not very satisfied: 15.3%

・Not satisfied at all: 0.0%

・Don't know/Cannot answer: 0.0%

"Reproducibility of Paper Forms" Cited as Regret Criterion by 56.8%, a 9.1 Point Increase from Selection Priority

When asked, "Q6. What criteria do you regret not prioritizing more during the selection and implementation of your workflow system? (Multiple answers allowed)" (n=111), the responses were: "Ease of faithfully reproducing existing paper forms (application format/layout)" at 56.8%, "High interoperability with other systems/services" at 38.7%, and "AI integration and future AI utilization capabilities" at 32.4%.

Q6. What criteria do you regret not prioritizing more during the selection and implementation of your workflow system? (Multiple answers allowed)

・Ease of faithfully reproducing existing paper forms (application format/layout): 56.8%

・High interoperability with other systems/services: 38.7%

・AI integration and future AI utilization capabilities: 32.4%

・Comprehensive data aggregation and analysis functions: 29.7%

・Implementation costs and monthly usage fees within budget: 27.0%

・Flexible setting/modification of approval routes: 22.5%

・Robust security standards and compliance measures: 21.6%

・Scalability and customization flexibility: 18.9%

・Vendor support system and responsiveness: 11.7%

・Abundant implementation track record: 9.0%

・Other: 0.0%

・No particular regrets: 0.9%

・Don't know/Cannot answer: 0.0%

Voices Include "Insufficient Verification Period" and "High UI Barrier"

When asked, "Q7. For those who answered anything other than "Don't know/Cannot answer" or "No particular regrets" in Q6, please freely share any other regrets you have regarding the selection." (n=110), 57 responses were received.

<Excerpts from Free Responses>

・We should have allowed for a sufficient verification period.

・The interface's usability is directly linked to the user's hurdle.

・Not fully integrated with tools like payroll.

・The after-support was not as expected.

・Better products keep emerging due to the rapid pace of progress.

New Priority Criterion for the AI Era: "Robustness of Approvals/Audits Indispensable to AI" Cited by About 60% of Staff

When asked, "Q8. Looking ahead to the AI era, what new criteria do you think should be prioritized when selecting a workflow system? (Up to 3 answers allowed)" (n=111), the responses were: "Robustness of functions in areas that cannot be replaced by AI (approvals/audits)" at 55.0% and "Ability to analyze and utilize accumulated data with AI" at 40.5%.

Q8. Looking ahead to the AI era, what new criteria do you think should be prioritized when selecting a workflow system? (Up to 3 answers allowed)

・Robustness of functions in areas that cannot be replaced by AI (approvals/audits): 55.0%

・Ability to analyze and utilize accumulated data with AI: 40.5%

・Integration functions with generative AI: 28.8%

・Design that balances AI utilization with governance maintenance: 28.8%

・Vendor's product roadmap for the AI era: 21.6%

・Abundant API integrations for easy connection with AI tools: 18.0%

・Ability to handle AI integration settings and operational changes with no-code: 17.1%

・Vendor stability and reliability for long-term operation: 7.2%

・Other: 0.0%

・None in particular: 1.8%

・Don't know/Cannot answer: 0.9%

About Half Support "Groupware/Other SaaS Bundled Functions" as Optimal for AI-Era Approval Processes

When asked, "Q9. What form of workflow system do you believe is most suitable for AI-era approval and review processes?" (n=111), the response was: "Groupware/Other SaaS Bundled Workflow Functions" at 48.6%.

Q9. What form of workflow system do you believe is most suitable for AI-era approval and review processes?

・Groupware/Other SaaS Bundled Workflow Functions: 48.6%

・Dedicated Workflow Systems: 18.9%

・Self-developed using no-code/low-code tools: 18.9%

・Scratch development (in-house custom development): 8.1%

・Workflow systems will become unnecessary as AI agents take over: 3.6%

・Other: 0.0%

・Don't know/Cannot answer: 1.8%

92.8% Feel the Need to "Review Workflows" in Light of the AI Era

When asked, "Q10. Considering the advent of the AI era, do you believe your company's workflows (approval and review mechanisms and systems) need to be reviewed?" (n=111), the responses were: "Strongly agree" at 35.1% and "Somewhat agree" at 57.7%.

Q10. Considering the advent of the AI era, do you believe your company's workflows (approval and review mechanisms and systems) need to be reviewed?

・Strongly agree: 35.1%

・Somewhat agree: 57.7%

・Somewhat disagree: 6.3%

・Strongly disagree: 0.9%

・Don't know/Cannot answer: 0.0%

Summary

This survey was conducted among 111 individuals in charge of information systems, general affairs, and DX promotion who are considering implementing or switching workflow systems, or who have implemented one within the last three years, to investigate workflow selection criteria in the AI era.

The results revealed a clear gap between the criteria prioritized during selection and those felt to be more important after implementation. Furthermore, with the spread of AI utilization, "robustness of approval and auditing" is emerging as a new, important selection criterion.

First, among the workflow systems currently in use or under consideration, "Groupware/Other SaaS Bundled Functions" was the most common at 75.7%.

Regarding the utilization of generative AI and AI agents in approval and review processes, 50.5% "already utilize" them, and 43.2% are "considering implementation/utilization," indicating a forward-looking attitude towards AI utilization by a total of 93.7%.

On the other hand, while "faithful reproduction of paper forms" was the most prioritized item during selection (47.7%), it also ranked highest among items regretted as "should have prioritized more" after implementation (56.8%), an increase of 9.1 percentage points from the selection stage. This suggests a trend where elements not fully evaluated during the implementation phase gain importance through actual operation.

Furthermore, "robustness of approval and auditing" was the top new selection criterion for the AI era (55.0%), and 92.8% of companies felt the need to "review workflows to adapt to the AI era." This survey also highlighted that many companies feel the need to revise their existing workflows.

This survey indicates that workflow system selection criteria are beginning to shift from traditional evaluations like "reproducibility of paper forms" and "ease of use" at the time of implementation, towards "post-implementation scalability" and "governance" in anticipation of the AI era. With the response to the Electronic Books Preservation Act and the increasing use of generative AI and AI agents in business operations, workflows are now expected not only to improve efficiency but also to maintain appropriate approval processes, support audits, and uphold internal controls more than ever before. In the future, it can be said that we have entered an era where, while assuming AI utilization, the ability to ensure governance alongside efficiency will be the new selection criterion.

AI-Connected Workflows Balance Operational "Efficiency" and "Control"

AtLed's data-utilizing workflow system reliably supports governance tasks such as approvals and decisions, while also enabling flexible integration with AI and external services. For example, even non-engineers can use generative AI to link X-point Cloud with Google Sheets & Drive, building mechanisms for automatic data transfer and automatic saving of PDFs and attached files. Without specialized knowledge, users can create integrations tailored to their business operations simply by conversing with AI as a "partner." This is an indispensable workflow system for the AI era, capable of promoting operational efficiency through AI while maintaining governance.

Supported Products: "AgileWorks (Package Version, Cloud Version)"

Learn more here: https://www.atled.jp/agileworks/

About AtLed Inc.

AtLed Inc., a leading company in workflow systems, develops and provides the workflow systems "AgileWorks" and "X-point," as well as the cloud-based workflow systems "AgileWorks Cloud Version" and "X-point Cloud." These systems digitize internal application and approval processes, including request forms. To date, over 5,000 companies and public institutions (special corporations, government agencies, schools, etc.) across various company sizes and industries have adopted our systems, contributing to paperless operations and improved efficiency.

Company Name: AtLed Inc. (TSE Standard: 3969)

Location: Shibuya Cross Tower, 2-15-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Yasuhiro Okamoto, President and CEO

Established: April 2007

Business Activities: Sales, development, and cloud service provision of workflow systems

URL: https://www.atled.jp/

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Survey結果
  • Organizations: IDEATECH / desknet / kintone