What is RPA (Robotic Process Automation)?

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is the use of innovative software technology to automate any structured business process, in order to cut operation costs and increase productivity. Automation involves the use of software robots to do repetitive manual tasks.

One of RPA’s greatest strengths is that you can implement it on existing IT systems, without modifying them. The RPA Software is installed on end-user devices such as PCs and mobile phones, which creates a smooth transition from the use of a human workforce to RPA robots. Read on to learn all about RPA.

1. What Is Robotic Process Automation
2. RPA Meaning
3. How Does Robotic Automation Work?
4. Who are the Leading Users of RPA Software
5. What is Process Automation
6. What is RPA Technology
7. Examples of Structured Business Processes
8. The Future of RPA

What is Robotic Process Automation

RPA Meaning

The first thought that comes to mind when you hear of RPA is what it means. The RPA definition is a technology that uses software robots, to automate a systematic and repetitive business process. RPA is therefore different from the use of physical robots to automate manufacturing processes.

How Does Robotic Automation Work?

RPA software emulates the specific actions of a human executing a business task or process. It, therefore, has to run from the same device, which a human uses to perform the actions it is emulating.

To execute tasks using their robots, the RPA tools rely on a set of rules, which humans use to perform those operations.

Some of the actions the RPA software can execute through the use of its robots include clicking, typing, opening applications, copying and pasting, using keyboard shortcuts, sorting lists among other repetitive tasks.

Make Your Robots – Try RPA Tools

Who are the Leading Users of RPA Software

Most organizations with legacy infrastructure lead in the use of RPA software to lower operation costs, and increase productivity. They include:

• Banks
• Insurance companies
• Telecommunication companies
• Utility companies

What is Process Automation

Process automation is a generic term used to refer to the action of automating any structured business activity. All structured business activities that can make software less time to execute without human intervention, qualify for process automation.

What is RPA Technology

RPA technology is the methodology and skills used to develop and implement RPA software. Like other technologies, RPA technology may vary slightly from one RPA supplier to another. However, the goal of any RPA Technology is emulating humans when executing certain business processes.

Examples of Structured Business Processes

Checking Invoices

One of the most common tasks in any finance department is opening an email to check for new invoices, and if there are any, you print them.  The same applies to use information from an LPO to retrieve invoices from the inbox, then printing them. Such processes are systematic and repetitive, and can, therefore, be automated using RPA Technology.

Features of a Business Process That Can Be Automated

• The process has to be manual and repetitive.
• It has to follow the rules.
• All inputs must be in electronic form and machine-readable.
• The system running the process must support RPA automation.

The Future of RPA

According to Gartner, RPA is one of the fastest-growing software industries, with a 63.1% growth reported in 2018. While the current RPA market value is less than $1.3 billion, a modest figure by software industry standards, we expect that figure to soar by 2022.

With all the benefits of implementing RPA, it is a sure way to take your business operations to the next level.

   

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