Robotic Process Automation is a set of software tools that can be configured to mimic human interactions with a computer. Bot workers sit alongside their human counterparts, taking care of all the repetitive, rules based activity. Previously these sort of functions were the domain of custom scripts, or costly system integrations. As such, only the largest volume applications justified full automation, and often such automations handcuffed the organisation to legacy technology. Now, Robotic Process Automation is available with low code software solutions, with Digital Bots residing on local machines, or cloud delivery models and capable of performing all rule base computer interactions – even those that require visual identification of screen elements and “pause – click” type functionality. With Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence deployed in conjunction with Digital Bots, hyperautomation is possible – rapid automation, with far reaching benefits throughout organisations.
Run Reports
Send emails
Interact with websites through native client browsers
Interact with core applications like SAP, Oracle, Salesforce
Interact with MSOffice Applications, like MS Excel
Match data across different applications
Communicate via chat
RPA tools can be used wherever there are rules based, repetitive actions. Some of the use cases include:
Finance functions like reconciliations, creating journals, matching payments
Accounts Payable – managing data input from digitised supplier invoices and pushing invoices through workflow processes
Accounts Receivable – matching bank statements to debtors, automatically sending debtors letters, updating debtors ledger from payments
Invoicing – automating the month end invoice generation process, compiling and emailing invoices to clients
Customer On Boarding – data entry of customer data into all required systems, sending out welcome notices to clients
Sales Processes – automating data collection / synchronisation of CRM,
Order to Cash – interpreting customer order, data entry into ERP systems, invoice generation
Any Data Entry Process- for example onboarding new customers, or processing invoices
Chat bots for communicating with clients
IT Operations – fault monitoring, auto resetting user passwords, testing processes
HR Employee onboarding – generating contracts, setting up employees in HR systems, payroll adminstration
Wherever you have a rules based activity, a bot can be trained to augment your human workforce. In some cases, bots will be able to perform work that a human worker would never be able to complete within the given timeframes, such as data entry for system migrations, large scale data matching exercises or daily reporting.
Robotic Process Automation makes dramatic improvement in operations processes. When working directly with a human worker (“Attendent Bot”) as a digital twin, a bot can be trained to perform the manual, repetitive tasks normally performed by the human worker, increasing the capacity of the human worker. Other bots work in parallel to the human workers (“Unattendent Bots”), or after hours and can be trained to carry out manual repetitive tasks based on certain conditions or triggers. “Chat Bots” can interact with your customers or staff using Natural Language Processing AI and can relieve the load on help desk / Customer Service teams.
ACCURATE
Bots operate practically error free, following the rules every time!
SPEED
A Bot runs 3-5x faster than human when performing the same functions on a PC!
Integration or APIs required
Bots are low intrusive from a technology perspective, and do not intrinsically require APIs or costly integration platforms to achieve automation
Deployment
Bots can be deployed rapidly, achieving benefits within days or weeks, rather than extensive system development
Cost of Human Resource
Bot workers cost approx. 15% of onshore workers, and 30% of offshore workers. In addition, there is no overtime, no lunch breaks or sick leave
Scalable
Bots can be rapidly cloned, and scaled up, even for temporary peak workloads
Form strategy for Automation deployment, including Change Management, High Level Business Case, Leadership Development
Investigate candidate processes for automation, including full Process Design Document for future Automation state, and business case for automation
Work with the key leaders within your business to prepare their mindset for leading teams of Bots and Humans, and how to manage internal Change with deployment of Bots within the business.
Architecture design for your RPA solution, including integration of smart capture and workflow tools
Development and roll out of your Automation projects, including Project Management, Testing, Stabilisation and handover to Business as Usual.
Daily review and management of your Bot workers, including utilisation and exception reporting, queue management, and daily support for your Human / Bot engagement.
If it’s time to add a team member, or replace someone who’s left, think about hiring a robot! You’ll find that you could save money, and improve the satisfaction of the rest of your team as well!
Data and information is the lifeblood of any business. When data is structured, it is easily organised, and sets up your business for automation.
The most important contribution of management in the 20th century was the fifty-fold increase in the productivity of the manual worker in manufacturing. The most important contribution management needs to make in the 21st century is similarly to increase the productivity of knowledge work and knowledge workers. RPA unlocks the productivity of Knowledge Workers.