Robotic Process Automation – An Overview

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This Article was Reviewed by The Chief Editor, Godfrey

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As we already know, automation is one of the finest innovations of modern times. Having the ability to assign a task to a computer program, having it do the job all on its own, and getting results almost sounds too good to be true. There is no denying that the era of manually sifting through records, ensuring that each detail was right, and then storing large physical files was tiresome.

The profound limitations of such a system include time constraints since humans can only work so much in a day, and the risk of loss and damage since physical files can be lost, stolen, or damaged by the elements. The list is extensive. However, in recent times, we have seen a new wave of change take over the industry. There has been a lot of development and advancements in the field of AI, machine learning, and cloud computing.

As a subsequent result of all this, the world has become a lot faster, and more efficient, and we can work around the clock. In the past, when the shift ended, any work that needed to be done had to wait for the next day. For example, a clothing business gets orders from social networks and through its website.

These are different channels that have directed people toward your product. Each person comes in with different expectations but at the core, they will want to get what they ordered, when it was processed. However, as many of us know, there is a lot more to the buying process than this. Using automation, we can not only streamline the order fulfillment process but can also add value to the customer experience.

When you place an order on a website, you instantly receive an email with an order confirmation. This email has all the details of your order and allows you to track its progress.

For the seller, their records are updated with a new stock count thanks to inventory on its way out, their finances are updated thanks to revenue being generated, and all concerned parties i.e. suppliers and logistics are notified. Simply by using automation, all of these processes happen on their own and they happen around the clock.

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Robotic Process Automation

One wonders, how does this happen? We’ve heard of automation but what is making all of this automated? Robotic Process Automation.

In the simplest of words, this is defined as the process of using bots to do the job for you. Bots are small digital workers that are doing all the heavy, boring, and repetitive lifting for you. Think of these as Santa’s elves – except that they are updating records, sending emails, and recording transactions, instead of building toys.

We often do not give automation the credit it deserves because if we hired a human to do these jobs for us, it would take them a long time to get everything in order. Moreover, we must factor in fatigue and subsequently human error into the fold. Furthermore, we must also consider that humans cannot work 24/7, and hiring more people would drive up costs and drive down revenue.

Using RPA, all of these problems vanish. You no longer worry about fatigue, human error, emails not going through, records not being updated, and so on. When using RPA bots, one can combine front-office bots with back-office bots. As a result, when the front office makes a transaction, the back office bots can extract the needed information and run different relevant functions on it.

Benefits of RPA

Naturally, there are many benefits to RPA that make it such an effective solution. Here are the most important of the bunch:

Data Handling

It is common knowledge that a computer system is capable of doing exponentially more work than humans. As a result, an RPA i.e. software can handle a large amount of data at any time. If a human could make 10 entries an hour, a computer can make 1000.

Learning Potential

Many RPA bots leverage the power of AI when doing the job. Coupled with machine learning and the system can now learn from past habits and triggers. It can learn to identify patterns and generate insights that can be used to improve the system or learn more about how things are going.

Execution

RPA bots can be programmed to work at intervals and do specific jobs. Once programmed, whenever all requirements are met, the bot will do its job. For example, if an RPA bot needs to maintain records for forex variations every hour and log those in a google sheet, it will do exactly that – nothing more, nothing less.

This action will go off regardless of if there is any interaction with it. When the data is needed, it will be waiting to be used. Using Spectrum’s internet will elevate this process to the upper epsilons of effectiveness. Visit their website by clicking here to learn more!

Productivity

The job of an RPA bot is to do a specific task or set of tasks. It doesn’t need to do anything but that and it needs to do it when it is instructed. It won’t call in sick, take a day off, have a decline in energy, or slump in productivity. A bot can do a task in mere seconds as opposed to a human who needs to navigate through it all to get the job done.

In the short-term and long-term, this can boost productivity exponentially which will make doing business a lot simpler. When you don’t have to worry about the mundane and repetitive, you have more time to focus on what is important.

Efficiency

Human beings for all their might, are still mortal beings of flesh and blood. Their minds and bodies can only do so much before they need to rest and recharge. On the other hand, an RPA bot is a complex set of code that does not suffer from any of these limitations.

An RPA bot does not need to stop, sleep, eat, drink, or rest. It is estimated that one singular RPA bot is capable of doing more than 2 to 5 employees can do. Furthermore, if a team of 5 can do twenty tasks in an hour, the one RPA bot can do 200 at the same time because it will consistently be doing the task instead of stopping or taking a break.

To make this performance even better, one needs to have an internet connection that can keep up. Mediacom has shown time and time again that it can be counted on as a safe, stable, and reliable internet provider. To learn more, click here to visit their website.

Accuracy

The prospect of human error will always exist. Even the brightest minds and hardest workers can make mistakes – that’s just how we are. RPA bots do not have this limitation. Through trial and error, one can devise the right set of instructions and deploy the bot.

Barring any unusual intrusion or activity, the bot will not make an error in the task. If it is programmed to open an email, copy and paste its contents, copy and paste the sender’s email address, and analyze the content of the emails, it will do exactly that – nothing more, nothing less.

Scalability

In the fast-paced world that we live in, each business must constantly be on the lookout for newer opportunities to expand into and find more ways to improve on its current position. With RPA bots, this becomes possible because you have automated mundane and repetitive tasks.

This has freed up time, people, and resources to commit to more pressing issues such as product development, business development, and other forms of growth. Nowadays, services such as Zapier have made it possible for even small businesses to get in on the action. Using said service, they can automate their processes and focus and besides minimum oversight, they can focus on the business itself.

Conclusion

The concept of automation feels like something out of science fiction however, it is a very real tool that is being used. Besides the convenience it offers, automation makes a business smarter and more competitive. It is a tool to increase short and long-term progress across the board.

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About the Chief Editor

Godfrey Ogbo, the Chief Editor and CEO of AtlanticRide, merges his environmental management expertise with extensive business experience, including in real estate. With a master's degree and a knack for engaging writing, he adeptly covers complex growth and business topics. His analytical approach and business insights enrich the blog, making it a go-to source for readers seeking thoughtful and informed content.

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