Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is using a robotic software program (or bots) to imitate the processing that a human person would do on their desktop. In effect, the bot is replacing the human person.
RPA bots are developed by typically a third-party RPA platform recording the actions that an end-user would normally follow to complete a process. This would cover recording clicks, drop-down selections, entering text, pressing return, opening folders, copying files, and so on. Once the recordings are made they can be tested to ensure they cover all scenarios and perfected as required. Once they are working they can be promoted into the production environment for live running
However, RPA often has a bad perception and is sometimes seen as ‘workflow on the cheap’ but it does have some real benefits; namely:
- RPA does have a number of benefits
- Bots can be written on top of existing applications without any enhancement
- Bots allow processes and operating models to be streamlined
- Bots can run full-time or 24 hours for 7 days a week
- Bots will follow the same rules every day with no divergence
- Bots can scaled up or down if processing volumes change
- Bots are cheap to run (although there is an implementation cost to set them up).
- Bots allow staff to move away from tedious work and put on value-add tasks
- Bots have improved Business Continuity Processing
Although to be completely fair, RPA does have its challenges, such as:
- Implementing RPA fully can be a complex and costly project
- RPA needs a clear business reason to be implemented
- RPA should be implemented in a gradual fashion to reduce risk.
- RPA needs a robust ecosystem to underpin it covering technology platforms, governance, oversight and skilled staff.
Therefore RPA does offer some real benefits, but it needs to be implemented with the relevant level of care and prudence.
The subject of RPA, its benefits and how to implement it successfully, is covered in my latest book
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