Most people do not feel intimately connected with scientific inventions and emerging technologies like Robotic Process Automation. Such individuals have a notion that AI can eliminate manual errors through exception handling. However, what they fail to understand is that automated products are designed with human hands.
Hence, we cannot overlook even a manual error in the design. Any manual error will negatively impact other parts of the design, and this occurs much faster. This is one of the main reasons that Robotic Process Automation (RPA) products find less room in terms of optimum business returns. Again, it is crucial to understand that this is not the sole reason things don’t work when it comes to business for RPA products.
What is RPA?
Human beings find great charm in exercising control over things, and for that, what they do is work. However, there are cases where certain tasks have to be repeated. Let us consider the example of multiplication. Now, multiplication stands for repeated addition.
We all have tables for certain numbers, and then we have calculators for complex computations. We need to instruct the calculator on what to multiply and then specify by how many times. The rest of the task is completed in the blink of an eye. What if, in life, we had more devices that could solve such repetitive tasks? It would make work easier and less time-consuming for us.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are the bridges that simulate the gap between human intelligence and robotic efficiency. These concepts bring about the idea of Robotic Process Automation. From a scientific point of view, RPA is a boon to humanity. However, it fails to raise the bars of return on investment when it comes to business.
There are several causes that directly or indirectly affect the commercialization of RPA products. So, first, let us make a note of where the fault begins and then delve deeper into the details of how RPA products fail in the market.
Treating RPA as an “Extra” Feature or Added Advantage
Most of us are quite fond of pizzas. When it comes to pizza, what attracts us the most is the quantity of cheese along with the topping. We always crave extra cheese on our pizzas. But when are the pizzas fluffier and tastier? It’s only when the crust of the pizza has a layer of cheese sandwiched between layers of flour. Then, the pizza becomes tastier.
The same thing happens in the case of Robotic Process Automation products. While designing RPA products, everyone views it as an “add-on” – in other words, an extra feature or additional characteristic. But what if we look at the same as an enterprise? Then there is more scope for development and better design.
Lack of Proper Supervising Process
The most significant problem concerning RPA products is the lack of regular checking and measuring operations. In the majority of cases, first, we design and then develop the product with the desired functional property.
However, people soon tend to forget about the product and focus on new projects. This might give rise to dangerous situations for humanity. This is because a bad employee can cause harm to an organization, but a malfunctioning robot can be a serious threat to society.
Designing RPA products is a challenging job, but monitoring and maintaining them is a tougher task. However, carrying out this process in a responsible way can improve things. In that case, the market scenario for RPA products boosts by a noticeable percentage.
Robotic Process Automation Follows Commands
When talking about RPA products, keep in mind that RPA blindly follows any instruction given to it. So, if any individual or the project administrator provides incorrect instructions to the Robotic Process Automation product, it will follow them meticulously.
We cannot expect RPA products to exercise any reflex and pick up things from the external environment. However, we mostly think it is obvious enough. So, every condition must be specified clearly.
The handling of exceptions should receive the most attention possible. Additionally, one must initially focus on multi-layer testing of RPA products before declaring them “ready” for the market.
RPA v/s Traditional Process Automation
Always keep in mind that traditional process automation is an integral part of Business Process Management. Hence, we also call it Business Process Automation (BPA). BPA centrally concentrates on the improvements of processes and methodologies. It does so by screening out the inefficiencies post-streamlining the processes that are already in existence.
RPA, on the other hand, focuses mostly on making the virtual workforce complete all repetitive tasks. It handles tedious work and makes them fall into the loop of computer programs. Instead of relying on human operators and manual labor, RPA increases the velocity of the process by introducing software robots.
One can treat BPA as “a strategic information system transformation movement.” However, Robotic Process Automation implementation doesn’t require the skills of a professional programmer. This is because one can directly deploy RPA on the server or the user’s device. From there, the actions of the RPA get automated at the UI level.
Conclusion
As a trend, in using RPA, many companies noticed several benefits mentioned above. Relatively low prices of the licenses and a potentially significant cost reduction make RPA a good option. It is apt for companies aiming to lower operational costs and risks. The process of RPA implementation consists of phases, assessment, and approval of the concept. It also involves fine-tuning the robots and the process.
The last stage is the final acceptance of RPA by the end-user. The main goal of the RPA application is to improve the efficiency of business processes. So, one must select the candidates carefully.
