RPA – Is it Hype or Reality?

Robotic process automation (RPA), also known as software robots, uses automation technologies to mimic tasks of human workers, such as extracting data, filling in forms, moving files, etc. There are many benefits of RPA which can be described below:

Less coding: RPA does not necessarily require a developer to configure instead drag-and-drop features in user interfaces make it easier to onboard non-technical staff.

Rapid cost savings: Since RPA reduces the workload of teams, staff can be reallocated towards other priority work that does require human input, leading to increases in productivity and ROI.

Higher customer satisfaction: Since bots can work around the clock, they can reduce wait times for customers, leading to higher rates of customer satisfaction.

Improved employee morale: By lifting repetitive, high-volume workload off your team, RPA allows people to focus on more thoughtful and strategic decision-making. This shift in work has a positive effect on employee happiness.

Better accuracy and compliance: Since you can program RPA robots to follow specific workflows and rules, you can reduce human error, particularly around work that requires accuracy and compliance, like regulatory standards. RPA can also provide an audit trail, making it easy to monitor progress and resolve issues more quickly.

Existing systems remain in place: Robotic process automation software does not cause any disruption to underlying systems because bots work on the presentation layer of existing applications. So, you can implement bots in situations where you don’t have an application programming interface (API) or the resources to develop deep integrations.

Further, there are many challenges too which can be described below.

Organizational culture

While RPA will reduce the need for certain job roles, it will also drive growth in new roles to tackle more complex tasks, enabling employees to focus on higher-level strategy and creative problem-solving. Organizations will need to promote a culture of learning and innovation as responsibilities within job roles shift. The adaptability of a workforce will be important for successful outcomes in automation and digital transformation projects. By educating your staff and investing in training programs, you can prepare teams for ongoing shifts in priorities.

Difficulty in scaling

While RPA can perform multiple simultaneous operations, it can prove difficult to scale in an enterprise due to regulatory updates or internal changes. According to a Forrester report, 52% of customers claim they struggle with scaling their RPA program. A company must have 100 or more active working robots to qualify as an advanced program, but few RPA initiatives progress beyond the first 10 bots.

Human Intelligence:

The process which requires human Intelligence is not a good choice for automation

Well, the above-mentioned things must be taken into account before proceeding with Automation.