WHat is RPA?
RPA Explained: Benefits and Challenges of RPA
How does RPA work?
RPA is a technology that automates human tasks with RPA software and works on both the front-end and back-end.
The front-end refers to the part of an application that interacts with the user, the interface that is focused on a user-friendly experience. It includes the user interface, such as visual elements, buttons, and menus. RPA simulates human actions by using mouse clicks and keyboard input, seamlessly integrating with existing interfaces.
The back-end refers to the part of an application that runs behind the scenes, focusing on stability, scalability, and security. It includes databases, servers, and APIs for data storage and processing. RPA leverages existing APIs to communicate directly with various systems, leading to faster and more efficient processes.
The combined approach ensures optimal automation of everyday and time-consuming tasks, allowing employees to focus on more complex and strategic activities.
Benefits of RPA
Optimized use of staff:
RPA reduces the need for human involvement in repetitive tasks, allowing businesses to allocate their staff to processes that stimulate business growth. Employees are freed from repetitive tasks and can focus on actions that add value. This is particularly beneficial in today's competitive labor market, where skilled workers are difficult to find and retain.
Reduced human error:
By repeating many repetitive and different actions, sometimes in different systems, a human can make a mistake faster. A virtual robot does not have this problem, resulting in increased accuracy and less time wasted correcting errors.
Flexibility:
RPA robots offer businesses the ability to change their processes without the need to replace outdated digital systems or expand existing systems. They can be quickly implemented and seamlessly integrate with various other systems, providing a high degree of adaptability.
INCREASED OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY:
RPA strengthens the ability to manage and monitor automated processes, providing insight into any issues. This facilitates the analysis, identification, implementation, and resolution of such issues, leading to greater operational flexibility and efficiency within the organization. Examples of meaningful processes that RPA can manage
EXAMPLES OF MEANINGFUL PROCESSES RPA CAN MANAGE
Invoice processing:
RPA can extract relevant information from invoices, validate data, and enter it into financial systems for payment processing.
Supplier management:
RPA can smoothly promote supplier management and better collaboration by automatically keeping supplier data, such as VAT numbers, Chamber of Commerce numbers, and bank data, up to date and verifying it, resulting in accurate and well-organized information.
Customer support:
RPA can handle routine questions, administrative tasks, and customer requests, freeing human employees to handle more complex issues.
Data extraction from documents:
RPA can quickly and accurately extract data from various document formats such as PDFs, Word documents, or scanned images.
Onboarding of new employees:
RPA can streamline the onboarding process by automating tasks such as creating and configuring user accounts, granting access rights, and enrolling employees in training programs.
Order processing:
RPA can automate the process of capturing, validating, and processing orders coming in through various channels.
Inventory management:
RPA can track inventory levels, automate replenishment processes, and generate reports to support decision-making.
Report:
RPA can collect data from multiple sources and generate reports on key performance indicators, financial performance, or other critical business data. RPA can easily handle meaningful tasks like these and more.
Partial automation with RPA to support employees
Although RPA is effective in automating mundane tasks, not all tasks are suitable for automation. RPA works best on rule-based processes, while tasks that involve many exceptions are better performed by humans. However, RPA can still partially contribute to such processes by automating certain aspects to prepare for the employee. For example, the software robot can identify and filter some exceptions, allowing the employee to focus on other complex aspects. If a process mainly consists of exceptions, it is important to weigh the options between full automation and using personnel to find an optimal balance.
Challenges of Robotic Process Automation
What is RPA? Process selection:
Integration with existing systems:
RPA must seamlessly integrate with the current IT infrastructure. This can be challenging, especially with outdated systems that may not be compatible with modern automation technologies.