Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is one of the most exciting developments in Business Process Management (BPM) in recent history. Some industry experts believe that it can be even more transformative than cloud computing.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is one of the most exciting developments in Business Process Management (BPM) in recent history. Some industry experts believe that it can be even more transformative than cloud computing.

However, is this revolutionary technology so new? Any BPM practitioner with a sense of history knows that RPA has existed for a long, long time. For example, incoming call centers have been using Interactive Voice Response Systems (IVRS) for years. These systems use robots to guide customers, accept key tones or voice responses, and send instructions to the underlying application to complete a transaction. Similarly, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, also classified as software robots, has been used for some time to ensure high self-extraction efficiency. Moreover, since the advent of Web solutions, the industry has always used Internet robots (abbreviation for robots) for automatic data transmission. 

The software testing industry has for many years used the same kind of automation to publish data into applications to manage functional, integration, user and more meaningful regression tests.

What is different from the last wave of APR is the maturity of the technology and business processes to which it applies. The RPA market is growing rapidly and the widespread adoption of robotic automation can dramatically change the BPM market. In my opinion, this transformation will be motivated by the search for five results:

Cost savings: Software robots typically cost at least a third of the price of an extra-territorial ETP.

Efficiency: RPA can operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without interruption, as long as key underlying applications are available.

Accuracy: Human FTEs make typing mistakes, while robots do the same job every time an evaluation is not needed to process transactions.

Improved auditing and regulatory compliance: Robots can provide detailed audit records, enabling advanced business analysis and improved compliance.