At the AI Summit NY, Manish Godha introduced Peripheral Automation, a novel approach to innovation that integrates cutting-edge technologies like AI and cloud computing into businesses without disrupting core operations. In a dialogue with Romi Mahajan-CEO Exofusion, they explored how Peripheral Automation enables targeted, low-risk experimentation, balancing the need for innovation with business continuity. This human-centric framework emphasizes enhancing customer experiences and operational efficiency while maintaining stability, making it a practical and scalable model for enterprises navigating AI adoption. The launch of PeripheralAutomation.org and the Peripheral Automation consortium further highlights its potential to drive collaboration and refine this transformative approach. Here are some of the interview highlights:
Romi Mahajan:
Peripheral automation as an entry point to AI—let’s start there. The goal of this discussion is to create a dialogue, so people can better understand how to think about this approach and its applications.Manish, let’s begin with the basics. Tell us about Peripheral Automation and what it means to you as a business innovator.
Manish Godha:
Peripheral Automation is a concept that integrates contemporary technologies—like AI, cloud computing, and highly specialized SaaS applications—into business operations in a way that aligns with existing business models.
Our approach considers the core elements of a business model: what you do, how you do it, and who your stakeholders are—customers, employees, suppliers, and partners. From an enterprise systems perspective, we think of this in layers:
- Experience and interaction – The front-line touchpoints with people that define the business.
- Business processes – Information flow, workflow automation, and operational efficiencies.
- Data and integrity – The foundational layer that ensures security, logic, and stability.
These layers help businesses innovate while maintaining operational continuity. Enterprises today use various technologies simultaneously, and they want to innovate quickly. The challenge is doing so without disrupting their existing systems. That’s where Peripheral Automation fits in—it allows targeted innovation without breaking the core.
Romi Mahajan:
That makes sense. Let’s dig into the dualism you mentioned—disruption versus continuity. While disruption fuels innovation, businesses still need to run efficiently. It’s not about stopping the plane to redesign it mid-flight. How does Peripheral Automation navigate this balance?
Manish Godha:
Peripheral Automation is rooted in what I call “differential innovation.” Businesses can’t overhaul everything at once—it’s neither practical nor necessary. Instead, you focus on specific areas where innovation will have the most impact.
By thinking of the organization in terms of its various units and layers, it becomes easier to identify high-impact opportunities. You innovate within a controlled scope, ensuring the surrounding systems remain stable. This way, you disrupt only what needs to change while the rest of the business continues seamlessly.
Romi Mahajan:
When it comes to AI and technology adoption, many people think of it as purely a technical issue—“a silicon problem.” But the truth is, it’s often about people and processes. How does Peripheral Automation address these softer, human aspects of AI adoption?
Manish Godha:
It starts with the business model itself, which revolves around people—customers, employees, suppliers, and partners. A business is most innovative at its interfaces with these people.
That’s why the experience layer is so crucial—it’s where differentiation happens. Two businesses might share the same core systems or processes, like invoicing or procurement, but their customer experiences could be worlds apart.
By focusing on the experience layer and aligning it with people’s needs, Peripheral Automation fosters innovation that is both meaningful and practical.
Romi Mahajan:
We’ve seen many headlines about companies that struggle with AI adoption. Some dive straight into large-scale implementations, only to face backlash—whether from customers receiving poor responses or from employees dealing with ineffective tools. Are these failures examples of businesses bypassing the Peripheral Automation approach?
Manish Godha:
Absolutely. Many of these failures stem from deploying AI wholesale, disrupting core operations in the quest for rapid innovation. Peripheral Automation takes the opposite approach.
Instead of automating entire verticals, it identifies smaller, low-risk opportunities for experimentation. These are areas where innovation can be tested incrementally, with backup systems in place to de-risk the process.
This method is not only safer but also more cost-effective. You don’t need to build entirely new models from scratch—you refine and scale improvements as they prove successful.
Romi Mahajan:
That incremental, stepwise process resonates. In a world where AI is often overhyped, real adoption in enterprises is usually much more sober and methodical. That brings us to an exciting announcement you wanted to share. Can you tell us more?
Manish Godha:
Yes, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of PeripheralAutomation.org. This initiative brings together leading companies—like Advaiya, Exofusion, Nexus Technology, and others—that have extensive experience in innovation and technology implementation.
These organizations are pooling their expertise to develop a comprehensive Peripheral Automation framework. PeripheralAutomation.org is live now. The goal is to create a robust, open-source model that benefits businesses across industries.
Romi Mahajan:
That’s fantastic. So, to anyone listening, head over to PeripheralAutomation.org to learn more about this innovative approach. If you’re interested in contributing or getting your organization involved, be sure to reach out.
