Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is an effective tool that can change the direction of the business. The main strength of RPA is that it improves efficiency of operations at a lower cost when compared with other automation approaches.
Define RPA
In simple words, RPA uses software known as robot to interpret the existing IT applications which enable easy transaction, data manipulation and strong communication across multiple IT systems.
A normal employee has many repetitive tasks that after a point becomes uninteresting, RPA is an extremely useful software that copies all the activities and tasks that a human can perform. With repetitive task the robots get better at their job by giving timely and accurate results. This, indeed, helps the humans to focus on other important tasks that involve reasoning, interaction with the customers and basic judgements in a workplace.
Stages/ Process of RPA
Every application comes with various stages and so does RPA:
First stage – It is a highly customized software that works only with a certain type of process. One needs to stream out the information in a process and collect data, synthesize it and put it together into a desktop. The automation begins at this stage.
Second stage – The second stage is in terms of power where a template is introduced and a specialist is appointed to design the robot to do the automation.
Third stage – The robot will carry the data from PDF document to excel and all the information will be placed batchwise in a row. After the conversion, the robot will authenticate its credentials and enter each row as an invoice carried in the web form.
Fourth stage – Once the process is in motion, an email file containing attachments are scanned. The master excel sheet attachments are then extracted and moved to the new folder.
Final stage – The robot logs into the enterprise system and generate invoices reports. Once the invoices have been generated the robot sends an email to inform about task completion
RPA and Cognitive intelligence comparison
The difference between RPA and cognitive intelligence is that the former deals with simpler types of task, whereas the latter deals with reasoning and judgement with an already established context. RPA carries out the physical task of codifying rules and instructing the software to act. On the contrary, cognitive automation invades the knowledge base of a human’s attributes beyond physical ability to act.
Thus RPA is widely used in companies when compared to cognitive intelligence.
Best suitable process for RPA
The best and suitable process for RPA is where predictability and repeatable actions with IT applications take place more often. RPA helps to improve efficiency and effectiveness of services without changing the systems. RPA can help to automate processes that are:
Repetitive
Prone to error
Involve digital data
Time management
Repetitive
Prone to error
Involve digital data
Time management
Importance of RPA
Flexibility and Scalability
Business innovation and profitability
Improved accuracy and time management
High employee morale
Data captured effortlessly
Better customer satisfaction
Cost efficient
A strong strategic tool
By deploying RPA, people will have more innovative work which keep their morale high. Humans will be able to improve their skill set while the robot does its job. Change in the relation between technology and humans will make the future better for all. Introducing this software will bring in more advantages for the organisation as well as the employees.
