What Is Robotic Process Automation
Automation
technology is taking the world by storm, and for good reason. It involves
delegating tasks to machines and software that have been typically done by
humans. What mechanisation did to manual labour, automation aims to do for
intellectual labour.
Robotic process automation involves using computer software programs call
‘bots’ that can be designed to perform useful work. These little programs
involve extensive work and can be put in to two major categories: ‘dumb’ bots
can be designed to perform mundane and repetitive tasks, for e.g. data entry and
scheduling; work that does not require much decision making and is subject to
pretty straightforward rules and criteria. On the other hand, ‘smart’ bots are
also there which can often perform work that has involved ‘intelligence’. These
programs can actually learn from observing past inputs and their outcomes and
over time, tailor their work to more suit a desired goal or outcome. They are
the manifestation of various cutting edge technologies and breakthroughs in the
fields of machine learning, artificial intelligence, data mining and neural
networks.
Robotic process automation is not some technology dreamed up by science fiction
writers; it is the here and now. Automation bots have been developed that can
write and compose music, manage traffic, even write software programs
themselves. Widespread adoption of such robotic process automation can indeed
render many human based services obsolete.
Businesses are just beginning to understand the scope and utility of robotic
process automation technology. Replacing human workers by software programs
saves a large amount of costs and increases efficiency and productivity. These
programs can work continuously and do not need salaries or benefits or life
insurance. Also being investigated are the possibilities of automating entire
business processes. Traditionally, businesses have always looked towards
outsourcing as a means of reduction of costs and availing of quality work and
services. But robotic process automation opens up an entirely new avenue that
offers all the benefits of outsourcing with none of its disadvantages, viz.
inefficiency, communication delays, time issues and integration of services.
When products can be developed in house and with minimal cost, it is always a
more prudent decision to go for it instead of opting for outsourcing.
For the longest period of time, automation technology was in the domain of
academia and educational interest. Now, it has proven to be of commercial
value. This is one of the reasons why companies are increasingly choosing to
opt for robotic process automation. Adopting such disruptive technology,
however, does require some upfront costs (which definitely pay off in the long
run) and needs the businesses to modify their existing workflow and
organisation to best integrate this new avenue in the overall venture.
With the grossly rising costs of outsourcing work and automation software
getting better and better, robotic process automation is now a viable
enterprise of immense industrial and commercial value. Most businesses that
employ some amount of human talent stand to benefit immensely from the adoption
of automation technology, and all because of the benefits that it brings with
it.