Robotic Process Automation

ROBOTIC PROCESS
AUTOMATION
(An Introduction)
Venkatesh Bandi

RPA (part of Cognitive Technology abilities)
RPA is software with artificial intelligence (AI) and
machine learning capabilities that automates tasks
traditionally done by humans by using advanced
macro-like capabilities which can be deployed at
enterprise or business unit level and can run on web-
based applications, ERP Packages, and
mainframe System.

RPA (part of Cognitive Technology abilities)
• The tasks performed by RPA may include queries resolution,
calculations and maintenance of records and transactions.
• They interpret, trigger responses and communicate with other
systems in order to perform on a vast variety of repetitive tasks with
zero error tolerance.

Early References
• Screen Scraping:
screen scraping was practice of reading and copying text data from a
computer display screen.
Predecessors of RPA
Screen Scraping
Work Flow Automation and
Management Tools

Early References
Work Flow Automation and Management Tools:
• Workflow automation software can aid in order processing by
capturing data like customer contact information, invoice amount,
and item ordered and translates them into a company’s information
database.
• Traditional workflow automation abilities were coded in application
programming interfaces (API’s) later available in Graphical user
interface (GUI) for ease of usage.

Successor of RPA Abilities
• Artificial intelligence (AI) replicates the human intelligence in
decision making, AI can be called as successor of RPA
• AI refers to the capability of computer systems based on predefined
set of rules and algorithms to perform tasks that normally require
human intelligence and Judgement.
• AI enabled systems performs tasks which were previously highly
dependent on humans for their judgement and decision-making
ability like Budget Analysis, financial planning.

Understanding RPA
• RPA performs tasks as per the code whereas AI understand and
analyze based on code.
• Although both RPA and AI are based on Predefined set of rules and
algorithms it can be identified by the process it carries out.

RPA VS AI (Real life Example)*
A real time example to understand the difference,
• RPA : Speech to text conversion in mobiles/laptop can be called as
RPA processing ability, the sounds are converted to text. The sounds
are detected based on pre-coded pronunciations identifying abilities
and converted into text.
• AI: Scene recognition technology may be called as part of AI where
based on the image captured through Camera the mobile operating
system understands and detects the situation taking into account the
time, light sensing ability. Also self-driven cars may be an ideal
example of AI system.

How RPA works?
User can rectify the
error, review and
resolve exceptions
or escalations
Robots are like a
machine for
example can be
Computer desktop
or other automated
machine which
perform the tasks.
Jobs are assigned to
the robots from
central operation
units regarding the
job to be performed
Architects
Specify Detailed
instructions to
robots how to
perform a task and
publish to central
operation units.

RPA Work flow Architecture:
Gather and collate Validate and analyze
Record - Data entry,
Interface and Archival.
Calculate & decide -
processing
Task allocation, task
workflow assignment
Data Integration over
Applications : Data
migration and testing
(one-to-one; one-many;
many-one; many-many)
Automated reporting on
robotic activity and
performance.
Communicate:
Automated notifications
to staff, suppliers, and
customers

Typical tasks performed by RPA
Opening Mail and attachments and reading the content, Logging into
web, copying and moving file, order capturing, Data calculation,
collecting Data statistics
Example 1
Processing and verifying travel vouchers, performing variance analysis
and pushing results to dashboard and emailing reports to Managers.

Typical tasks performed by RPA
Example 2
Open invoice email
from the supplier
print for records
Checks vendor
details with Master
Database
Key in Invoice Data
and Amount
performs 3 way
matching between
Invoice - GRN -
Purchase Order
Completes Invoice
processing
Report on errors
and exceptions

Myths of RPA
RPA will replace humans:
• Yes, RPA performs the high volume tasks, and reduces the repetitive
human efforts and need of Human worker but for a process to
operate who starts the process?
At least we are allowed to press the power button right?
• RPA will not replace the Human but replaces the tasks performed by
human.

Myths of RPA
Coding shall be known to use RPA’s
Work flow automation capabilities predecessor to RPA developed to
work on Graphical user Interface (GUI). The technology has advance to
GUI interface and to use RPA tools, one needs to understand how the
software works on the front-end.

Myths of RPA
RPA works perfectly:
• RPA systems are programmed to execute the formulas and follow the
rules published, if there are errors in the logic fed into their making,
they will continue to replicate those errors indefinitely.
• After all RPA’s don’t possess common sense.

Key Attributes & Benefits
Benefits of RPA implementation can vary greatly depending on the processes
affected and their complexity. Below are some of the main benefits of RPA.
1. Improved quality in processing
2. Multitasking abilities
3. Speed
4. 24*7 processing capabilities
5. Audit logs & Documentation
6. Credentials management
7. Scalability ( Level of automation based on Demand and complexity of
process)

Industry Level Usage
Health Care - patient scheduling, claims processing, data entry and
billing.
Utilities - Meter-reading exceptions, handling customer service and
resolving queries, Bill recovery requests automation.
Bank - Transaction processing, Cards activation and customer service
Recruitment - Employee joining formalities and payroll processing.

Industry Level Usage
Retail Industry - update orders and process shipping notifications,
eliminating manually tracking of shipped goods, Delivery
Notifications.
Telecommunications - Improved data communication, Customer data
updates and notifications for balance utilization.
Insurance - Recording the Premium collections, processing claims
Consignment Logistics - Order booking, Item details, accounting

Future of RPA
Despite rapid growth in RPA tools and abilities, it may not sustain in long run
as it is unintelligent, lacks common sense and does predictable routine tasks
with no understanding of context.
RPA tools are made with imagination of current Hardware capabilities and
Operating System features and hence its growth is depends on longevity of
legacy systems.
With modernization of systems, RPA will have a smaller niche.
Integration of RPA abilities with AI to understand process goals and
handle more decisions will help RPA to take the next leap.

Impact on Employment*
As per Studies on RPA Implementation, knowledge workers did not feel
threatened by automation they embraced it and viewed the robots as
team-mates. However few other studies represents threat to the
Business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

vicious circle of RPA to Human labour **
RPA
With RPA,
Labour will
lose the job
Production will
be more with
Quality and
speed of RPA
performance
There increases supply
but demand will be less
as the income sources
of labour comes downLack of
demand
leads to
lower
production
For Lower production it
is not justifiable to use
high cost RPA system
and Labour will be
employed.
The cycle
begins.

RPA - Hurdles
1. Challenges in integration.
2. Lack of understanding of cognitive technologies.
3. Shortage of technical talent (In house talent).
4. Change management challenges.
5. Difficulty in Estimation of expected benefits.
6. Fragmentation of processes, Integration issue over application
systems.

Risks
Operational risks:
A small error in code may lead to multiplicity of processing errors, lack of
vendor support.
Regulatory Risks:
Change in law or regulation can materially impact early adopters of RPA and CI
technologies as the RPA algorithm may have to recreate.
Incomplete regulatory reports generated may create regulatory issues.

Risks
Financial Risks:
Financial misstatements due to misalignment or misconfiguration of
RPA can result in financial and reputational losses to the organization.
Technology Risk:
Collecting the sensitive information by the bots (RPA machines), Cyber-
attacks.
Organizational Risks:
Change Management and resistance from employees.

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