Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Tools and Examples

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a type of business automation technology that enables organizations to automate repetitive, manual tasks, freeing up staff to focus on more strategic activities. In this article we simply explain RPA and why enterprise leaders should consider using it.

What is robotic process automation?

Robotic process automation is a form of business process automation where software robots are used to emulate humans actions interacting with digital systems and software. ‍

RPA is based on metaphorical idea of a digital workforce where software robots or artificial intelligence replaces some of the manual and repetitive tasks previously done by humans.

In summary, RPA:

• is a type of intelligent automation technology that uses software robots to automate routine tasks, manual work and standard processes in businesses.

• can be programmed to carry out basic activities like data entry, customer service, and other high-volume process-oriented tasks.

• typically work by mimicking human behavior, enabling them to perform tasks quickly and accurately based on some pre-programmed guidelines.

In summary, RPA is not:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) that fully replaces humans in the workplace.

• Mechanical robots or devices used in the physical workplace or within manufacturing.

• Fully autonomous systems or software that can operate without human involvement or supervision.

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Benefits of RPA

Robotic process automation is already broadly used in enterprise business. Later in this article we look through a few examples from healthcare, insurance and business process outsourcing. A few key benefits to robotic process automation include:

• Improved Efficiency. One of the most significant advantages of RPA is the ability to increase efficiency. By automating repetitive tasks, businesses can save time and resources, enabling employees to focus on more value-added tasks. This, in turn, leads to higher productivity and faster processing times.

• Reduced costs: Automating manual processes with RPA can result in substantial cost savings. Businesses can reduce labor costs associated with repetitive tasks, lower operational costs, and even decrease the need for overtime.

• Improved accuracy: RPA bots are programmed to follow specific rules and procedures, resulting in increased accuracy and reduced error rates. This ensures that tasks are completed correctly the first time, minimizing the need for rework and increasing overall quality.

• Better reliability. As businesses grow, RPA can easily be scaled to accommodate new processes and tasks working 24/7 without interruptions. This flexibility allows companies to adapt quickly to changing business needs and stay ahead of the competition.

• Increased employee and customer satisfaction: RPA bots can improve customer or employee satisfaction by providing more time for strategic 1-1 interactions and relationships. Organizations that adopt RPA for manual and repetitive tasks free up time and resources of their employees for more meaningful work.

Why Enterprise Leaders Should Consider RPA

It is estimated that 1 in 4 enterprise businesses have already adopted robotic process automation, while many other enterprise leaders have RPA projects in the roadmap.

The key reasons for adopting RPA can be summarized by the easy to remember abbreviation QACE:

• Quality. RPA can reduce the risk of human error, leading to fewer mistakes and better results.

• Accuracy. RPA can improve accuracy and customer service, leading to increased customer satisfaction.

• Cost. RPA can significantly reduce the time and cost of operations, enabling businesses to become more efficient and competitive.

• Efficiency. RPA can automate repetitive tasks, freeing up staff to focus on more strategic activities.

While RPA can be utilized across any industries - a few notable early adopters include the healthcare, insurance and BPO industries.

Example: Robotic Process Automation in Healthcare

RPA can be used to automate administrative tasks such as billing, patient registration, and scheduling. By automating these tasks, healthcare providers can reduce costs and free up resources to focus on patient care. RPA can also be used to automate data entry and data analysis. This can improve accuracy and reduce the risk of human error, leading to better outcomes.

RPA can also be used to streamline clinical processes. By automating tasks such as image recognition and diagnosis, healthcare providers can reduce the time required to complete these tasks and improve accuracy. This can lead to better patient outcomes and improved customer satisfaction.

RPA can also be used to automate the delivery of healthcare services. By automating the delivery of care, healthcare providers can reduce costs, improve accuracy, and ensure timely delivery of services. RPA can also be used to automate communication between healthcare providers and patients, leading to improved customer service and patient satisfaction.

In summary, RPA is a powerful technology that can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of healthcare operations. It can reduce costs, improve accuracy, and streamline clinical and administrative processes. Healthcare providers should consider using RPA to reduce costs, improve accuracy, and improve patient outcomes.

Example: Robotic Process Automation in Insurance

RPA can be used to automate administrative tasks such as policy underwriting, customer service, and claims processing. By automating these tasks, insurance companies can reduce costs and free up resources to focus on core activities.

RPA can also be used to automate data entry and data analysis. This can improve accuracy and reduce the risk of human error, leading to better outcomes.RPA can also be used to streamline risk management processes. By automating tasks such as customer segmentation and risk scoring, insurance companies can reduce the time required to complete these tasks and improve accuracy. This can lead to better risk management and improved customer satisfaction.RPA can also be used to automate the delivery of insurance services. By automating the delivery of services, insurance companies can reduce costs, improve accuracy, and ensure timely delivery of services.

RPA can also be used to automate communication between insurance companies and customers, leading to improved customer service and customer satisfaction.In summary, RPA is a powerful technology that can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of insurance operations. It can reduce costs, improve accuracy, and streamline administrative and risk management processes. Insurance companies should consider using RPA to reduce costs, improve accuracy, and improve customer outcomes.

Example: Robotic Process Automation in BPO

RPA is being used in business process outsourcing (BPO) to reduce costs, improve accuracy, and increase efficiency.

RPA can be used to automate administrative tasks such as data entry, customer service, and process-oriented tasks. By automating these tasks, BPO companies can reduce costs and free up resources to focus on core activities. RPA can also be used to automate data entry and data analysis. This can improve accuracy and reduce the risk of human error, leading to better outcomes.

RPA can also be used to streamline operational processes. By automating tasks such as order processing and customer segmentation, BPO companies can reduce the time required to complete these tasks and improve accuracy. This can lead to better operational efficiency and improved customer satisfaction.

RPA can also be used to automate the delivery of BPO services. By automating the delivery of services, BPO companies can reduce costs, improve accuracy, and ensure timely delivery of services. RPA can also be used to automate communication between BPO companies and customers, leading to improved customer service and customer satisfaction.

Robotic Process Mining Tools and Software

Here is a list of 10 popular Robotic Process Automation (RPA) tools available in the market, based on their popularity, features, and user reviews on Gartner Peer Insights and G2:

1. UiPath: UiPath is a leading RPA platform that provides a user-friendly interface, extensive automation capabilities, and a wide range of pre-built activities. It is suitable for both small businesses and large enterprises.
2. Automation Anywhere: Automation Anywhere is a powerful and scalable RPA solution that combines AI, machine learning, and analytics to automate complex processes. It offers an easy-to-use interface and a robust set of features for businesses of all sizes.
3. Blue Prism: Blue Prism is an enterprise-grade RPA platform that focuses on security, compliance, and scalability. It provides a wide range of pre-built integrations and a centralized control room for managing and monitoring bots.
4. WorkFusion: WorkFusion is an AI-driven RPA platform that automates complex processes and provides advanced analytics capabilities. It offers a range of pre-built automation components and an intuitive interface for building custom workflows.
5. Pega: Pega's RPA solution, part of the Pega Infinity platform, focuses on automating end-to-end business processes. It offers robust AI capabilities, easy integration with existing systems, and a no-code development environment.
6. Kofax: Kofax RPA provides a comprehensive set of tools for automating data extraction, processing, and integration tasks. It offers a visual design environment, pre-built connectors, and advanced analytics features.
7. NICE: NICE's RPA solution, NEVA (NICE Employee Virtual Attendant), focuses on automating both front-office and back-office tasks. It provides AI-driven decision-making capabilities, real-time analytics, and seamless integration with other NICE solutions.
8. Microsoft Power Automate: Formerly known as Microsoft Flow, Power Automate is a cloud-based RPA solution that integrates with various Microsoft applications and services. It offers a wide range of pre-built connectors, a user-friendly interface, and AI-driven capabilities.
9. Appian: Appian's RPA solution is part of its low-code automation platform, which allows businesses to quickly build and deploy custom applications. It offers an intuitive interface, AI capabilities, and a wide range of pre-built components.
10. EdgeVerve (AssistEdge): EdgeVerve's AssistEdge is an RPA platform that provides end-to-end automation capabilities for businesses. It offers a wide range of pre-built integrations, an easy-to-use interface, and advanced analytics features.

These RPA tools have their unique strengths and capabilities. When choosing the right RPA tool for your business, it's essential to consider factors such as ease of use, scalability, integration capabilities, and support for different platforms and technologies.

Bottom line

In conclusion, RPA is a powerful technology that can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of enterprise operations. Enterprise leaders should consider it as a viable option for automating routine tasks and processes.