OpenSpan

About OpenSpan

OpenSpan, Inc. operated as a key player in the enterprise software sector, specializing in robotic process automation (RPA) and workforce analytics. The company was founded in 2005 by Francis Carden and Damon Lockwood, with Eric Musser later joining as CEO. Francis Carden's journey in technology began at age 17, and his extensive experience in software optimization and automation was foundational to OpenSpan's development. The company's core mission was to enhance the productivity of both front and back-office employees by automating repetitive, rule-based desktop tasks.

OpenSpan's business model revolved around providing software that allowed enterprises to analyze, manage, and automate user processes across various applications without altering the existing IT infrastructure. Its client base primarily consisted of large global enterprises in sectors such as financial services, insurance, and telecommunications. Revenue was generated through subscription pricing for run-time licenses deployed across multiple desktops.

The company's product suite centered on desktop automation and analytics. A key offering was OpenSpan Studio, a visual development environment that worked within Microsoft Visual Studio, allowing developers to create automations by integrating with application user interfaces. This technology did not require access to APIs, instead injecting code to interact directly with application objects, a method Carden referred to as "Deep Robotics". The software could identify workflow inefficiencies, automate data transfer between applications, and consolidate tasks to reduce 'app overload' for employees, particularly in call center environments. Before its acquisition, OpenSpan's solutions were deployed on over 200,000 desktops.

A significant milestone in the company's history was its acquisition by Pegasystems Inc. (NASDAQ: PEGA) on April 12, 2016, for approximately $52.3 million. This strategic acquisition was aimed at unifying OpenSpan's robotic automation and workforce analytics with Pegasystems' Business Process Management (BPM) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms. The integration of these technologies enabled a comprehensive solution, combining case management and real-time analytics with desktop automation to improve customer service and operational efficiency. Following the acquisition, OpenSpan's technology was integrated into the Pega platform and is now known as Pega Robotic Process Automation.