Automation Anywhere

RPA and artificial intelligence (AI) are not the same thing. However, AI technologies, such as machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP), can be used along with RPA. This takes RPA beyond simply processing data and allows it to perform identification and analysis to increase its understanding of the processes it is performing.

Areas in which RPA and AI are flourishing include the ability to:

• Understand visual images and graphics
• Understand the context of a document so it can more effectively extract information from that document
• Understand human behavior based on observation
• Analyze voice and text conversations to infer sentiment and meaning

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Because software can be scaled more easily than human workers, over the long-term, RPA will allow your organization to significantly increase its scalability. This makes it easier to adjust operations according to fluctuating process volumes, which is particularly ideal when an organization must scale quickly to meet a short-term increase in demand.

Hyperautomation is the natural evolution of automation. Automation first began with the automation of individual tasks. It then moved on to the automation of individual processes and then automation across multiple processes.
Hyperautomation is the next stage in this evolution, combining all the existing automation technologies, including RPA, AI, machine learning (ML), and intelligent business management software (iBPMS), into a powerful automation tool that can accomplish what no individual automation technology can do on its own.

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RPA stands for Robotic Process Automation. RPA is a type of software that is programmed to perform repetitive computerized tasks in much the same way a human would. In this sense, “Robotic” refers to the software program, “Process” refers to the tasks being completed and “Automation” refers to setting up the program to run on its own.

RPA is freeing human workers to perform higher-value tasks in a number of industries, including manufacturing, banking and finance, insurance, retail, oil and gas, healthcare and automobile.

RPA is best suited for processes that are consistent, repetitive, high-volume, time-consuming and do not require extensive human involvement. Thus, the tasks and processes well suited to RPA do not change over time, would take humans a long time to complete and involve a high risk of human error.

Examples of the types of tasks and processes suitable for RPA include cross-referencing data sources, pulling information from a variety of sources, and data entry and migration.

Yes, RPA is application- and server-agnostic. This means it can be used for the automation and integration of data from any application, whether that application is cloud-based or on-premises.

There are two modes in which RPA bots can operate—attended and unattended. Attended bots are software bots that work alongside a human worker to complete tasks. These bots require human input to complete the processes they are programmed to perform. In contrast to this, unattended bots do not require any human intervention.

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RPA failure is most often due to a combination of issues. The most common of these are:

• Lack of knowledge or skills in RPA
• Inadequate communication
• Ineffective change management
• Not having IT involved from the beginning
• Not properly defining the criteria for a successful RPA implementation

There are three common challenges organizations face when implementing RPA. These are:

• Resistance from employees and difficulty onboarding them
• Difficulty choosing the right processes to automate
• Defining realistic expectations for RPA implementation

RPA removes the human element from performing repetitive tasks, freeing people up to focus on high-value tasks. This results in increased efficiency and productivity, lower costs, and consistency in terms of accuracy and overall quality.

IT leaders should be involved in the RPA planning and implementation process from the very beginning. Business and IT leaders must work together to determine how RPA can provide the most benefit for your organization. This involves developing a roadmap that helps you:

• Establish a business case for RPA adoption and implementation
• Determine a timeframe for RPA implementation
• Identify the ideal model for RPA operations
• Determine an RPA governance plan
• Establish total cost of ownership
• Identify the end goal of RPA implementation

Once your roadmap is laid out, you can do a cost/benefit analysis and make your business case for the implementation of RPA. The important thing is to plan your RPA implementation well so you have a strong foundation for success.

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