Building Smarter Automation: Inside the UnO Agent Builder

As enterprises evolve beyond rule-based automation, intelligent agents are becoming central to modern orchestration. HCLSoftware’s Universal Orchestrator (UnO) introduces a game-changing capability with its Agent Builder. It is a low/no-code, AI-native environment for designing agents that can reason, act, and adapt in real-time.

In this exclusive Q&A, Fabio Barillari (Director, Senior Solution, Cloud Architect and DevOps at HCLSoftware) and Marco Cardelli (Director of Product Management & Client Advocacy for the HCL Automation Orchestration), two of the minds behind the platform, share their perspectives on what makes the UnO Agent Builder different, how it empowers both business and technical teams, and why agent-based systems represent the future of enterprise automation.

Q1. What is the HCL UnO Agent Builder?

Fabio Barillari:
For several years, we’ve interacted with bots to get information about orders, flights, bank accounts, etc. These bots were based on a field of AI called natural language processing. While they worked to some extent, they often failed when questions fell outside the narrow scope defined by their developers.

More recently, large language models have emerged, bringing a new generation of AI agents. These agents support more natural conversation, can answer a wider range of questions, and handle use cases more effectively. Even more important, they have started to incorporate reasoning capabilities. Thanks to this evolution, we can now imagine building knowledgeable agents capable of solving more complex problems and adapting to real-world situations in a more flexible, human-like way.

The UnO Agent Builder is a no-code playground where anyone can create AI agents without writing a single line of code. It is part of the broader Universal Orchestrator platform, allowing users to visually construct autonomous AI systems that can think, decide, and act independently. It supports a multi-agent system so users can design intelligent agents that collaborate across tasks or domains.

Each agent leverages the REACT framework, which stands for Reasoning and Acting. This framework combines decision-making with execution in a continuous loop. Agents can operate use internal tools or trigger deterministic workflows in the UnO ecosystem. This creates a bridge between the predictable, rule-based world of traditional automation and the adaptive, intelligent world of AI. You can build anything from customer service agents to operational assistants, all without coding.

Q2. How Does UnO Enable Cross-functional Collaboration Between Business Leaders and Developers Through Its Agent Builder?

Marco Cardelli:
The UnO Agentic AI Builder bridges business agility and technical precision. Business users use a no-code, prompt-based interface to describe agent goals in natural language. These prompts are translated into agents capable of automating tasks, monitoring systems, or interacting with users.
It allows deep customization for technical teams: integration with APIs, logic definition, embedding in orchestration pipelines, connecting with cloud and on-prem systems, and controlling observability and security.

The result is a collaborative space where business teams innovate quickly while IT ensures reliability, compliance, and scale. This enables the deployment of event-driven, context-aware AI agents across business domains.

Q3. What Differentiates UnO’s Agent Builder in an Increasingly Crowded Automation and AI Landscape?

Fabio Barillari:
UnO’s standout feature is its hybrid model, bridging deterministic and probabilistic systems. While most tools force a trade-off between strict rule-based automation and flexible AI, UnO delivers both. Agents can use AI for adaptability and still trigger deterministic processes when precision matters.

Another key differentiator is the multi-agent architecture. Instead of one large agent, UnO encourages specialized agents that work together, like a team of experts, making the system more scalable and manageable. Finally, its no-code approach democratizes AI creation, enabling business analysts and domain experts, not just developers, to build agents aligned with real-world problems.

Q4. What Advantages Does the UnO Agent Builder Offer Over Legacy Automation Platforms?

Marco Cardelli:
UnO offers a smart, adaptive alternative to BPM. While BPM relies on fixed rules, UnO agents understand the context and act in real-time. They can be triggered by events, failures, anomalies, or user input, and act instantly without human help.

Business users build them via prompts; developers enhance them with scripts and APIs, enabling seamless collaboration. Unlike BPM tools that demand specialized skills, UnO is usable by all. It supports full-stack orchestration across IT, cloud, mainframe, and AI, with built-in governance and SLA tracking.

Q5. What Role Does the Agent Builder Play in Driving Tangible Value Across Enterprise Functions?

Fabio Barillari:
The Agent Builder accelerates intelligent automation, unlocking agility, efficiency, and innovation. It helps teams automate complex tasks and frees people to focus on higher-value work. When combined with deterministic flows, it improves customer experience, enables faster prototyping, and ensures consistency when combined with deterministic flows.

Organizations become more adaptive, proactive, and responsive. In a fast-changing environment, this isn’t optional; it’s essential.

Q6. What Makes Agent-based Systems the Next Evolution in Enterprise Automation?

Marco Cardelli:
Agent-based systems represent a shift in automation, introducing intelligent actors that operate with adaptability and initiative. Unlike rigid RPA scripts, agents reason, learn, and act on dynamic inputs, perfect for today’s complex hybrid setups.

They enable real-time, event-driven operations, escalating issues, and acting autonomously without needing scripts for every case. Their responsiveness enhances resolution speed and resilience.

Agents also collaborate across systems, APIs, and teams. Multi-agent orchestration builds distributed, adaptive automation networks. As demand for agility rises, agentic platforms like UnO will lead, turning automation into enterprise-wide intelligence.

Empower Your Teams with AI-driven Agents that Act, Learn, and Deliver

Start exploring how the UnO Agent Builder can transform your automation strategy. Whether you're a business leader looking to move faster or a technical team aiming to scale smarter, UnO gives you the tools to create agents that don’t just follow — they lead.

Request a demo today.