In this article on Understanding the Concept of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), I will explain how this concept brings automation in repetitive, high-volume tasks that human beings perform earlier.
While the term “robotic” being used to describe Robotic Process Automation, it is not about physical robots. In fact, RPA is a software solution comprised of many software programs that aim to automate repetitive, high-volume, routine tasks such as labor-intensive back-office processes.
Although, RPA can be a simpler concept as compared to processes involving AI and Machine Learning and can create automation in routine office tasks. However, Smart Robotic Process Automation (RPA) makes use of AI and Machine Learning techniques for automating repetitive tasks. Therefore, RPA uses Software Bots which are nothing but programs that automatically perform tasks. A ChatBot is also an example of software bots. On the other hand, we can have crawler bots, schedulers, help-desk bots, digital assistants, financial advisor bots, and so on.
Benefits of Robotic Process Automation
The concept of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) provides several benefits. Some of these benefits are listed below.
- Firstly, the use of RPA saves time, money, and wastage of the organization’s resources.
- In fact, the business processes can become more accurate since RPA reduces the chances of human errors.
- Additionally, the use of RPA makes processes more profitable since employees can be free of repetitive tasks and concentrate on the more creative ones.
- It makes service delivery to customers faster.
- The configuration of RPA is quite easy and it doesn’t necessarily need programming skills.
- In order to implement RPA, you don’t need to develop a new software platform. It already exists within the current system.
- Change management is easier with RPA.
- Since a specific task can be represented by a software process, the RPA is auditable.
- Also, it is more secure, reliable, and robust.
Scope of Robotic Process Automation
As can be seen, not all processes are fit for automation. Therefore, companies should select those processes which require mundane repetitive tasks. Some examples of such processes are order processing, payroll processing, employee management, CRM operations, report generation, and order tracking.
In contrast, those tasks which require high cognitive thinking, brainstorming, judgment, and human intervention are not suitable for Robotic Process Automation. Often these tasks are unstructured and comprise of taking input in non-digital format.
Summary
This article has described the Concept of Robotic Process Automation and its scope in automating business processes. Basically, RPA is for repetitive routine tasks that can be automated and thereby free employees to focus on other tasks that require critical thinking. As discussed here, there are many benefits of adopting RPA. Also, RPA can be implemented in any kind of industry. Still many organizations are yet to adopt RPA.