Robotics Process Automation

Robotic process automation bots have the same digital skillset as people—and then some. Think of RPA bots as a Digital Workforce that can interact with any system or application. For example, bots are able to copy-paste, scrape web data, make calculations, open and move files, parse emails, log into programs, connect to APIs, and extract unstructured data. And because bots can adapt to any interface or workflow, there’s no need to change business systems, applications, or existing processes in order to automate.

Benefits of RPA

Robotic process automation streamlines workflows, which makes organizations more profitable, flexible, and responsive. It also increases employee satisfaction, engagement, and productivity by removing mundane tasks from their workdays.
RPA is noninvasive and can be rapidly implemented to accelerate digital transformation. And it’s ideal for automating workflows that involve legacy systems that lack APIs, virtual desktop infrastructures (VDIs), or database access.

Transformative

Software robots—instead of people—do repetitive and lower-value work, like logging into applications and systems, moving files and folders, extracting, copying, and inserting data, filling in forms, and completing routine analyses and reports. Advanced robots can even perform cognitive processes, like interpreting text, engaging in chats and conversations, understanding unstructured data, and applying advanced machine learning models to make complex decisions.

Capabilities

To build and manage an enterprise-wide RPA program, you need technology that can go far beyond simply helping you automate a single process. You require a platform that can help you create and manage a new enterprise-wide capability and help you become a fully automated enterprise.

Fastest-growing enterprise software

Leaders of functional areas from finance to customer service to marketing to human resources and beyond find that RPA improves many processes, yielding higher capacity, faster throughput, and fewer errors for key processes
From a CFO’s perspective, an investment in RPA technology delivers rapid ROI and requires minimal upfront spending compared to other enterprise technology.

Artificial intelligence in RPA

RPA is not AI; AI is not RPA. But the combination of RPA and AI unlocks massive new possibilities for enterprises everywhere. For one thing, RPA technology now makes it possible to insert advanced AI skills in the form of machine learning models, natural language processing (NLP), character and image recognition, and more into RPA robots

Drawback

RPA is limited in handling tasks that require cognitive abilities or decision-making beyond predefined rules. RPA may struggle with unstructured or semi-structured data. Implementing RPA at scale can become complex and resource-intensive. Initial costs and implementation time can be significant.

Solution

Augment RPA with cognitive technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning for handling unstructured data and making more complex decisions. Combine RPA with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) or Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools to handle and process unstructured data. Develop a scalable RPA strategy with proper governance, centralized management, and well-defined processes. Consider cloud-based RPA solutions for flexibility. Conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis, prioritize processes with high ROI, and consider phased implementations to manage costs and realize quick wins.