Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Robotic Process Automation or RPA is the process of programming software bots to automate business processes. High volume, manual, rule-based, and repetitive tasks are best performed by software robots. For example invoicing, or data entry.
RPA is not Artificial Intelligence or AI. It does not have a physical form and has no resemblance to humans. The RPA Bot can only do what it has been told and programmed to do.
It is not a threat to employees as the RPA Bot is not capable of making complex choices. All logical and critical thinking functions are still performed by people.
What RPA does provide businesses is more productive and profitable outcomes. The software Bot performs consistent error free output. Ensuring 24/7 continuity and improved customer service.
The tedious, repetitive tasks are performed by the Bot. The high value activities are performed by Employees.
Customer satisfaction is also improved with RPA. For example in the area of delivery, RPA can help reduce the average handling time resulting in an enhanced customer experience.
Reduced costs and a higher profitability are other key benefits. Other advantages include reduced training costs, and easier software migrations.
RPA places automation software tools at the users disposal. Paving the way toward digital transformation.
Autom8 are process automation experts. Focusing on where we can add automation technology to your business. And, on the processes and people needed to be as productive, efficient, and cost-effective as possible. We are ready to help you on your RPA Robotic Automation Journey.
Contact us today and let us get started.
What is RPA used for and what are the Benefits?
Does your business have high-volume, low-value, repetitive and mundane tasks? If the answer is yes then your business can benefit from Robotic Process Automation or RPA technology.
However, not all business processes are suited to be automated. One of the biggest mistakes that organisations make when it comes to RPA and automation in general is adding automation to complex processes that do not suit RPA. RPA is designed to automate repetitive, rule-based processes and flag exceptions for human interventions.
Try not to fall into the trap of making an intuitive decision of which processes should be automated. Instead, conduct an objective analysis. A good framework to help you determine if RPA suits a process is the following:
Can a degree of automation be achieved for a particular process? Are there system constraints and requirements? What is the volume of transactions that goes through the system?
High volume transactions that are repetitive and rule-based are particularly well suited to RPA for example. Low-volume, complex transactions are better suited to humans.
Will there be a financial and strategic value gained through the robotic automation of the process? For example, if it’s a labour intensive and repetitive process, there will be a cost benefit gained.
Rules-based software bots will perform the process faster and error free. This in turn frees up human employees to work on more high-value work that uses their skills. Other key benefits provided is process control, increased team capacity, along with streamlined and documented processes
What is the degree of risk involved in automating the process? Regulatory requirements, stakeholder buy-in, and system stability should all be appropriately considered.
What is Business Process Management (BPM), Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA)?
Business Process Management (BPM) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
Firstly, let us look at the what Business Process Management (BPM) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is.
Business Process Management (BPM) streamlines underlying processes to maximize value and efficiency of the overall process. With a BPM solution, an entire process is analysed from end-to-end to find ways to automate the entire process, improve workflows, streamline processes and improve efficiencies and value.
BPM is a discipline as it is an action that studies and analyses entire business processes for beneficial business outcomes. RPA is a technology that compliments BPM to perform repetitive and mundane tasks that have been identified. For example, BPM looks at software solutions for automating the entire Finance Process and RPA offers the automation technology to process invoices – a component of Finance.
However, the development and maintenance of software solutions can be complex and resource intensive, often requiring large investments.
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is a strategy that reduces labor costs and efforts by contracting out the process to another party. Some examples of Business Processes that are commonly outsourced as a BPO services are customer service or accounting. The bonus of BPO is that offshore vendors offer dramatic cost savings and expanded service availability by taking advantage of lower labor costs and different time zones.
RPA also complements BPO the same as it does for BPM, as it provides the technology for completing the repetitive business processes that have been outsourced, such as data entry.
However, BPO poses management challenges and security/privacy risks. In addition, loss of process control causes unforeseen costs to emerge, and human factors that negatively affect process outcomes are not addressed. Further, bored, frustrated people continue to make the same mistakes.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) complements and improves BPM and BPO, as it provides the technology to complete the repetitive tasks that are a part of the BPM or BPO end-to-end processes
RPA is an invaluable tool that utilises Bot technology to automate routine repetitive work in a lightweight, easy-to-maintain way, that can address the challenges posed by both BPM and BPO.
BPM and BPO solutions, while they can deliver positive business outcomes if implemented and managed judiciously, RPA provides the tools that aid with delivering the positive business process solutions. RPA is best suited for the high-volume, low-value repetitive tasks like generating invoices, or transferring data from one system to another.
In addition, it also provides businesses with a reliable and cost saving resource to support the day-to-day routine business tasks. Freeing up staff for the more value-add, complex business activities.
Autom8 your RPA and Automation Partner
At Autom8, we are not interested in simply adding RPA to everything. Our goal is to build a more efficient, productive, cost-effective, and higher revenue-generating business, and that means matching the right solutions to each process or system in the business. We are here to help you on you RPA Journey – contact us today and lets get started!!
