Appian Reviews

Name: Appian
Brand: Appian
Rating: 4.2 (59 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

59 reviews
95% willing to recommend

3,102 followers

What is Appian?

Appian is a unified low-code platform and solution used by businesses to build enterprise applications and workflows. This product adapts to the needs of clients and the technologies they are already using to combine their data in a single workflow and maximize resources. The platform has four main components through which it transforms the work process for companies of various sizes. They are:

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Appian is the #4 ranked solution in top Process Automation solutions, #4 ranked solution in top Low-Code Development Platforms, #5 ranked solution in top Rapid Application Development Software, #6 ranked solution in BPM Software, and #6 ranked solution in top Process Mining solutions. PeerSpot users give Appian an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Appian is most commonly compared to Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC): Appian vs Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC). Appian is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 51% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 28% of all views.

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Featured reviews

Devashish Mishra

Client Partner at Peristent Systems

To determine whether a platform, such as Appian, is suitable for your domain industry, you must first assess whether it offers any out-of-the-box features relevant to your needs. If it does, utilizing that platform would be the best option since it already has the required functionalities. If the available features do not align with your requirements, consider choosing a platform that can easily build such services. Attempting to modify pre-existing features on a platform is a challenging task, and any upgrades to the platform could pose further issues for users. The solution has high performance but the main issue is the lack of customization after deploying it. I rate Appian an eight out of ten.

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Mason Turvey

Robotic Process Automation Engineer at a logistics company with 5,001-10,000 employees

The way Appian manages its software makes it directly scalable to new systems. Especially with the cloud distribution, Appian is going to integrate with any new hardware architecture that comes out, and you don't have to do any updates for code. If you're on the cloud, then deploying it is very easy, and scaling that outwards for capacity is also very easy. One limiter that we had for scalability was on our side. Our on-prem data had to feed through that, and there were scalability issues with the demand on the server, but that was more on our side, not on Appian's side. In terms of its usage, right now, we are exclusively looking at it from our analytics and intelligence standpoint, and we don't have anybody dedicated to Appian. We have more teams who focus on low code efforts and are playing around with it to figure out the capabilities and the standards that we want to work with it. We are building out the integrations that we need to scale it up. So, there is nobody fully dedicated to it, but there are definitely people playing around with it. There are only a handful of people right now. There are probably four to five at most at any given time. We don't have a plan in place to increase its usage because we don't know. We haven't really found an incredible use case where we can deploy it. Once we set up the infrastructure and get business buy-in with a few demos, we can talk about scaling.

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Srimanta Pandit

Senior Consultant at Protiviti consulting

The solution’s turnaround time for development is better compared to other tools. The solution enables fast development. The traceability of the processor is good. There is much more governance and regulations on the processers. The tool reduces the time of the processes by 30% to 40%. The solution’s low-code aspect has greatly impacted the development and deployment speed. One of the major reasons we are using the product is that we can reuse the modules. The developers can reuse all the modules. It enables us to make subsequent developments in less time. The prebuilt modules can be deployed within two to three weeks. The tool is very flexible. Compared to other platforms, the Appian product team was agile in quickly customizing things for us.

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Appian mindshare

Product category:

As of November 2024, the mindshare of Appian in the Business Process Management (BPM) category stands at 6.5%, up from 6.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Business Process Management (BPM)

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Sep 18, 2024

Valuable Features

Appian users highlight valuable features such as drag-and-drop functionality, easy automation, extensive integration capabilities, robust user interface, mobile app, low-code platform, workflow engines, rapid development, real-time data, seamless setup, stability, frequent updates, BPM and RPA capabilities, quick time to market, strong financial industry features, trustworthy data management, API project support, and excellent technical support.

"The valuable features include process automation, Appian Portal, and Appian RPA."
"The most productive aspect of Appian lies in its ability to develop interfaces, particularly user interfaces. Creating user interfaces is highly productive, when these interfaces are integrated with the original database. In such cases, using record types proves to be a very efficient method of handling data. The synergy between interfaces and record types enhances productivity."
"The tool is very flexible."

Room for Improvement

Appian needs more flexibility, particularly in UI and mobile app development. Users feel the platform is expensive and has a steep learning curve, requiring better tutorials and training. Integration with Microsoft products and external systems could be enhanced. There's a call for a more responsive system when handling large data. Users find certification costly and restrictive. Robotic process automation and chatbot features need improvement, along with offering more customization options and connectors for new integrations.

"From a reseller's point of view, subscription licensing could be improved to be more cost-effective, especially for new prospects and smaller investments."
"It is difficult to set up the on-premise version."
"There are some restrictions with respect to using external components within Appian. So, for example, if we do not have a particular feature available, there's a long cycle of getting approvals and all of that. That does not offer flexibility, which definitely can be improved on."

ROI

Clients have observed a positive ROI from using Appian, noting benefits like increased profits, significant process time reduction, and breakeven in the first year. There is satisfaction with returns, and the adoption of Appian continues across multiple organizations and applications. Although ROI data specifics are not always provided, clients typically see returns, particularly over time, and report achieving their objectives through Appian's use.

Pricing

Appian offers flexible pricing with both monthly subscription and annual licensing models. Costs can vary widely based on deployment type and user base, ranging from $90 per user per month to $200,000 annually for large enterprises. While many users find the pricing competitive and lower than competitors like Pega, others note it can be confusing and somewhat expensive, especially for small to mid-sized businesses or on-premises deployments.

"The tool is quite costly."
"The license is not very cheap. It's on the expensive side."
"The cost is calculated on a per-user basis. It might be expensive for small and mid-sized enterprises."

Popular Use Cases

Appian is utilized for business process management, case management, automating workflows, office automation, real-time data integration, and agile projects. It supports exam result management, financial processes, content and contract management, endpoint authentication, procurement, risk applications, and custom application development. Organizations employ it for client onboarding, tracking information, and follow-up processes. Various industries such as banking, insurance, telecom, and retail leverage Appian for diverse applications including agent onboarding, incident management, automating internal operations, and car motor-related tasks.

Service and Support

Appian's customer service and support are highly regarded. Many users find technical support responsive, helpful, and knowledgeable. The team often resolves issues promptly and sticks to SLAs. Feedback ranges from outstanding support, rated ten out of ten, to adequate, with some suggestions for quicker response times. Multiple communication channels, such as forums and telephone, enhance accessibility. While some users have limited personal experience, their teams generally report positive interactions.

Deployment

Users generally found Appian's initial setup straightforward, with deployment times ranging from an hour to several weeks depending on complexity. While cloud deployment is easier, on-premise requires more effort. Installation was often described as quick and manageable with clear instructions and minimal maintenance needs. Organizations noted that deployment effectiveness varied with the environment and application's complexity. Some highlighted the need for specialized personnel, especially for on-premise setups, whereas the cloud setup was user-friendly.

Scalability

Appian's scalability is praised for its flexibility and adaptability across systems, being highly scalable, especially for medium to large enterprises. Users highlight its capabilities in horizontal and vertical scaling, noting enterprise-grade features like high availability and cloud support. Effective scalability depends on well-designed applications and expertise. While some users have faced issues with data scalability and SQL limitations, others report successful scaling operations with large user bases.

Stability

Appian offers high stability with minimal downtime and no significant disruptions. Users report reliable performance, rapid adaptation to updates, and robust architecture. Some experience occasional connectivity issues, but these are rare. Many rate Appian's stability highly, noting its consistent uptime and lack of bugs or glitches. Its cloud-based infrastructure and Kubernetes system enhance scalability and maintenance. Following good practices ensures it remains stable, supporting seamless operations and user satisfaction.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

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Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

28%

Financial Services Firm

17%

Computer Software Company

11%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Insurance Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Healthcare Company

University

Retailer

Media Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Comms Service Provider

Non Profit

Pharma/Biotech Company

Outsourcing Company

Legal Firm

Construction Company

Hospitality Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Transportation Company

Logistics Company

Consumer Goods Company

Compare Appian with alternative products

Learn more about Appian

Complete automation: Through complete automation, companies are able to coordinate and manage employees, existing systems, bots, data, and artificial intelligence (AI) in a single workflow. The solution offers a way to centrally manage all third-party automation vendors as well.
Low-code applications: Appian offers the ability to build applications faster with visual development and low-code tools. All applications are ready-made to be suitable for mobile.
Low-code data: Appian lets companies source data from multiple types of sources, eliminating the need for data migration. Through no-code and low-code solutions and industry-standard connectors, the platform also eliminates the need for data silos.
Enterprise ready: The platform offers options for companies to scale their businesses to an enterprise level without complications.

Appian is utilized across a diverse set of industries, including automotive and manufacturing, energy and utilities, education, financial services, telecom and media, transportation, retail, insurance, healthcare, and life sciences. The most frequent use cases of Appian are customer journey, governance, risk and compliance, operational efficiency, supply chain, distributed order management, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management.

Appian Features

Appian has various features that allow users to create solutions for their businesses. These features can be separated into a few groups according to function, including automation, low-code application development, and integrations and data. Some of the most frequently used features of Appian include:

Robotic process automation (RPA): Users of Appian can assign software bots to perform rules-based tasks that need to be repeated over a set course of time. This can improve efficiency and performance within an organization while saving human resources.
Intelligent document processing: The tool offers a feature for quick and accurate extraction and structuring of data. This can reduce time and costs for organizations because it eliminates the need for outsourcing such services.
AI: Appian utilizes artificial intelligence to enhance applications, workflows, and automation. AI is also used to address complex processes and unique situations.
Business rules: Organizations can automate and simplify work processes while adhering to their operating procedures.
Application development: Appian provides a low-code development feature that allows users to deploy applications over ten times faster than through conventional approaches. This feature not only allows for quick application building, but also applications that run on multiple types of platforms, seamless data integration, and business scalability.
Integrations and data: Appian allows for data integration from a wide array of sources without the need for migration. This contributes to easy access to data across systems, real-time data insights, improved user experience, and accelerated development.

Appian Benefits

The benefits of using Appian include:

The solution ensures seamless organization growth, as it supports various UX patterns, common data schemes, and upgrades, used to facilitate application development on a bigger scale.
Appian can increase process speed and deliver applications considerably faster compared to conventional development.
The platform is easy to use and suitable for complete beginners to build applications and workflows.
Appian offers a variety of design tools that facilitate development and deployment.
Appian offers detailed real-time data insight which allows organizations to access relevant information about their processes as they are developing.
The solution offers clients the ability to move data between the cloud, on-premise, and hybrid configurations.
The platform is easy to optimize, which allows businesses to utilize it according to their personal needs.
Appian offers connectivity across web, mobile, email, voice, and chat, providing a multi-channel experience for companies and their clients.

Reviews from Real Users

A practice leader - digital process automation at a computer software company values Appian highly because the product is easy to develop, low-code, and has a good user interface.

Alan G., an advisory board member at Codecon VR, Appian offers a clear application life cycle, easy to learn documentation, and comes with a fundamentals course.

Appian was previously known as Appian BPM, Appian AnyWhere, Appian Enterprise BPMS.

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Appian customers

Hansard Global plc, Punch Taverns, Pirelli, Crawford & Company, EDP Renewables, Queensland Government Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (, Bank of Tennessee