It’s no secret to anyone that we’re facing an invasion of robots. Bots or software robots have been taking over our companies discreetly and quietly, automating repetitive low-value processes for the business. Which until recently had to be done over and over again as part of their tense.
This use of the technology to which more and more companies are added is called robotic process automation and offers them great benefits. Today we will focus on explaining what it is.
What is RPA (Robotic Process Automation)?
Robotic process automation or RPA is a technology that allows you to configure computer or robot software to emulate and execute in an integrated and autonomous way (or semi-autonomously). The actions or steps of human interaction with certain digital systems so that it can execute a business process.
In other words, it’s programming a virtual robot to do what a person would do on their computer. This in a more expeditious, safer and uninterrupted way activities such as data entry, standard transaction processing, or answering simple customer service questions.
How does robotic automation of RPA processes work?
The RPA works by replicating the actions of a human being interacting with applications or systems to perform different tasks, using a script that is executed by the bot under a defined set of business rules.
How process automation software works vary depending on the tool being used and the type of process being automated, however, there are some basic principles for everyone: programming interfaces and system integration.
Integrations are required for your bot to work with your business applications. Some bots scratch the screen and still perform tasks. however, integration is more reliable than scraping, because the screen is more likely to cause errors.
Programming interfaces are required because bots must be programmed. However, it is relatively simple compared to other types of programming and there are ways to program RPA bots without code.
What are the benefits of implementing RPA?
A robot doesn’t have the needs of a worker, it doesn’t have to rest, go to the bathroom, or get sick. What’s more, you can work 24 hours a day performing tasks from different areas of the organization and in general. The robot can reduce the execution time of those tasks significantly. Further decreasing the number of mistakes that humans who used to do the process can make. Thus, there are several benefits that come from a successful implementation of RPA in your company:
- Hours of work saved: RPA handles repetitive tasks by saving valuable time and resources and costs less than a full-time employee.
- Error reduction: Tiredness or lack of knowledge that generates human error does not happen with bots, so the rate is reduced.
- Agility and increased productivity: Robots do more in less time and don’t forget to consider any wasting time correcting bugs.
- Improves response and compliance times: Automation reduces the risk of arrears by introducing accuracy into your operations.
- Leveraging employee time: Automating repetitive administrative processes allows human workers to focus on complex value-added tasks for the business.
Why is RPA fashionable?
Just as 12 years ago we started talking about Business Intelligence and Big Data, now the fashion term in the business sector is RPA. Why? Simply because we’ve reached a time when tools can perform a significant variety of activities, that they previously couldn’t and didn’t allow processes to actually be automated.
Today, thanks to technological advances, a robot may open an email, extract an attachment, open it, read it, and recognize certain information contained in that document, and take action based on it.
Today it is possible for a robot to enter a web page, authenticate and perform tasks within that site without the server where it is hosted knowing that it is a machine.
Today, even a robot that only exists inside your phone, makes a call and interacts with a person. For example, to make a hairdressing appointment, without requiring your human to be involved or without the other person knowing you are talking to a robot.
RPA more than a fad is a new way to leverage technology to increase productivity free up valuable employee time and automate tasks. While adding little value (and satisfaction) to your employees and your business, take a long time.
