Today's DateMarch 29, 2024
What Is Robotic Process Automation

What Is Robotic Process Automation?

Also known as Software Robotics, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a form of business process automation technology based on Artificial intelligence/Digital workers, that allows you (the computer system operator) define a set of instructions for a robot or ‘bot’ to perform. These robots are not physical or mechanical, but rather software programs.

RPA bots can carry out a ton of error-free tasks at high speed. They can be taught a workflow process with multiple steps and applications. Examples are receiving documents/forms, checking it for completeness, filing it in a folder, updating a spreadsheet with the form, sending a receipt message, etc. RPA is used to automate some of the mundane, repetitive, times consuming tasks such as these, thereby reducing employees’ workload and allowing them devote more time to other higher-value or interesting aspects of their jobs.

RPA tools have strong technical similarities to Graphical User Interface testing tools. These tools also automate interactions with the graphical user interface, often by repeating a set of demonstrated actions performed by a user. RPA tools differ from such systems in that they allow data to be handled in, and between multiple applications. For instance, RPA tools can receive an invoice which contains an email, extract the data and file it into a bookkeeping system

BENEFITS OF RPA

The typical benefits of RPA centers on increased speed, efficiency, accuracy and consistency in performing tasks, improved quality and scalability of production (particularly in manufacturing). A human worker works an average of 9 hours (with periodic breaks), whereas bots can work for 24hours straight with no rest. The average productivity of human is about 60% with a margin for error, while bots can be 100% productive without errors.

Also, RPA bots are relatively low-cost and easy to install, requiring no additional custom software. This is crucial for organizations who want to pursue growth and workplace automation without adding too much of an increase in expenditure.

EXAMPLES OF RPA APPLICATIONS

  • Voice Recognition and Digital Dictation Software –  Speech recognition in simple voice commands are already used in various areas like in medical documentation process and therapeutic use, driving instructions and traffic control, etc.
  • Specialised Remote Infrastructure Management –  software featuring automated investigation and resolution of problems using robots for first line IT support.
  • Chatbots – used by Internet retailers and service providers to service customer requests for information. It is also used by companies to service employees requests for information from internal databases.
  • Interactive Voice Response (IVR) – these systems incorporate intelligent interactions with in-bound callers. For instance, in telecommunications, IVR systems ask customers to interact with the company’s host system via a phone keypad or by speech recognition, after which services can be inquired about through the IVR dialogue. IVR systems are also used for mobile purchases, banking services, retail orders, utilities, weather conditions and travel information.

EFFECTS ON EMPLOYMENT

As with any other automation technology, RPA does have the power to eliminate jobs, particularly low-skilled ones which require simple repetitive tasks. Enterprises are attempting to transition workers into new roles. According to Harvard Business Review, most organizations already using RPA tools have promised their employees that automation will not result in massive lay-offs, especially for low-skilled workers. Instead, they will be up skilled and redeployed to do more interpersonal and interesting work.

One academic study highlighted that knowledge workers did not feel threatened by automation, rather, they embraced it and viewed robots as team-mates. The same study highlighted that the technology was deployed in such a way as to achieve more work and greater productivity with the same number of people.

IMPACT ON SOCIETY

Academic studies project that RPA, among other technological trends, is expected to drive a new wave of productivity and efficiency gains in the global labor market. Although not directly attributable to RPA alone, Oxford University conjectures that up to 35% of all jobs might be automated by 2035.

In a TEDx talk hosted by UCL, entrepreneur David Moss explains that digital labor in the form of RPA is not only likely to revolutionise the cost model of the services industry by driving the price of products and services down, but that it is likely to drive up service levels, quality of outcomes, and create increased opportunity for the personalization of services.

Mr. Kochi Hasegawa, Japanese business executive, in another TEDx talk noted that digital robots can be a positive effect on society if we start using a robot with empathy to help every person. He provides a case study of the Japanese insurance companies Sompo Japan and Aioi, both of whom deployed bots to speed up the process of insurance pay-outs in part massive disaster incidents.

Also, Professor Willcocks spoke of increased job satisfaction and intellectual stimulation, characterising the technology as having the ability to ‘take the robot or of the human’, a reference to the notion that robots will take over mundane and repetitive portions of people’s daily workload, leaving them took be redeployed into more interpersonal roles or to concentrate on the remaining, more meaningful portions of their day.

Conclusively, RPA is considered to be a significant technological evolution. New software platforms are emerging which are sufficiently mature, scalable, resilient, and reliable. This helps make this approach viable for use in large enterprises, who ordinarily would be reluctant to implement the use of RPA in their businesses due to perceived risks to their product/service quality and brand reputation.

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