Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has been on a tear over the past two years, gaining interest and A LOT of funding. Two leading RPA platforms, UiPath and Automation Anywhere, attracted almost $1billion alone from investors last year. That’s a great sign for the amount of research and development, growth, and technological advancements in these platforms. Couple that with the ease of use and speed to market RPA platforms promise to bring to the table for process automation and acceleration; it’s understandable that organizations across all industries want a taste of what Robotics can do for them.
Too good to be true?
Jet fuel accelerant for Digital Transformation
Unlike traditional process automaton technologies leveraging system-to-system communication, api’s, and other service bus connections; RPA solutions provide workflow automation by leveraging the same application user interfaces our human workers use. Web pages, customs app screens, Windows Office applications, etc.; automating mouse clicks, keyboard strokes, file management, and more. This type of automation provides several advantages:
- Minimally invasive
- Leverage existing applications and assets
- Increased speed and accuracy
Digital Transformation efforts are by definition, transformative. We are looking at business processes across all functions of the organization with great impact. Seeking to improve operations for better business outcomes. These efforts often involve major technological and procedural changes that do not happen overnight. While technology improves and operational functions change, RPA solutions provide a very real opportunity to improve operations now, not just a distant point on your transformation roadmap.
RPA solutions can be a strong accelerant to your digital transformation projects by eliminating repetitive, mundane, structured process steps your staff are burdened with today.
Is that legacy system slowing down your transformation efforts?
Leverage an RPA solution to reduce that impact while investing in your people and processes in other areas.
Caution to avoid the hype
While RPA does offer a relatively low barrier to entry and speed-to-market for process automation; beware of the hammer looking for a nail. Not all process problems are applicable to RPA solutions.
Successful transformative efforts require a disciplined approach to process discovery and improvement. Deep knowledge in the full spectrum of process technology available and how best to apply these technologies is critical in mapping a successful digital transformation roadmap.
Are the right employees involved in process improvement?
Are the goals of your Digital Transformation initiative clear and socialized across the organization?
Do you know employee and customer pain-points that would most benefit from automation solutions today?
Constructing a proper Process Automation Roadmap that supports short-term AND long-term goals will reap the greatest rewards and keep your transformation progress on track. Filling a room with bots is not Digital Transformation, but it’s a start and can accelerate progress.
I am going to just say that it depends on the RPA development team. Like any automation, if you don’t architect the robotics flexibile, you pigeon-hole maintenance that has to keep the legacy system running and meeting corporate financial and regulatory requirements.