What is Robotic Process Automation





 

Instead, the "robot" in robotic process automation refers to software robots that run on a physical or virtual machine.

 

“RPA is a form of business process automation in which anyone can define a set of instructions for a robot or ‘bot' to follow,” explains Aaron Bultman, Nintex's director of product. “RPA bots are capable of mimicking most human-computer interactions in order to perform a plethora of error-free tasks at high volume and speed.”


 


If that kind of automation technology sounds, well, boring – particularly compared to the Hollywood robots that are on purpose. RPA aims to automate some of the most mundane and repetitive computer-based tasks and processes in the workplace. Consider copy-paste tasks and moving files from one location to another.


RPA automates everyday processes that previously required human intervention – often in a rote, time-consuming manner. That is also how RPA promises to increase organizational efficiency.

 

 

How does RPA work?

 







Robotic process automation (RPA) mimics the way people interact with and think about software applications. RPA's ability to mimic how humans perform computer-based processes have contributed to its popularity when compared to other automation tools such as application programming interfaces (APIs) or low-code development, which is more scalable but less intuitive or requires expert knowledge to use.


 

The most basic RPA bots can be created by recording a user's clicks and keystrokes while interacting with an app. When issues arise, a user can simply observe how the bot connects with the app and identify the steps that need to be tweaked.


 

In practice, these basic recordings are frequently used as a starting point for developing more robust bots that can adapt to changes in screen size, layout, or workflow. Machine vision is used in more advanced RPA tools to interpret the icons and layout on the screen and make adjustments accordingly.


 

Some RPA tools can also use these initial recordings to create hybrid RPA bots, which begin by simply recording an existing workflow and then dynamically generate workflow automation on the back end. These hybrid bots benefit from the ease of RPA development as well as the scalability of native workflow automation.


 

Process mining and task mining tools are used in other RPA implementations to automatically capture business process workflows that serve as starting templates for RPA automation. Process mining can automatically generate a map of common enterprise processes by analyzing logs from ERP and CRM applications, for example. To capture a user's interactions across multiple apps, task mining tools use a locally running app with machine vision. These types of process mining integrations are being developed by all of the major RPA vendors.

 


RPA tools can also be linked to AI modules with capabilities such as OCR, machine vision, natural language understanding, and decision engines, resulting in intelligent process automation. These capabilities are sometimes packaged into cognitive automation modules that are intended to support best practices for a specific industry or business process.

 

 

What are the benefits of RPA?





 

Robotic process automation technology can assist organizations in their digital transformation journeys by performing the following functions:

 

1. Making it possible to provide better customer service;

 

2. Ensuring that business operations and processes are in accordance with applicable regulations and compliance standards;

 

3. Significantly reducing processing time;

 

4. Increasing efficiency through the digitization and auditing of process data

 

5. Lowering costs by eliminating manual and repetitive tasks; and allowing employees to be more productive.