Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is the application of technology that allows engineers to write a set of code that could configure a software or a “virtual robot” to take care of basic and repetitive tasks without human intervention.
RPA’s Impact on Business Process Outsourcing
In Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) scenarios, a company enters into a contract with a third-party service provider, handing over responsibility, obligation and operation of a particular business process.
With the proliferation of computers and other now-commonplace technology, administrative tasks such as generating reports, calculating key data points, collecting and reproducing vital information plus other repetitive processes became more streamlined and companies could more readily and more successfully outsource these tasks. Not only did this provide significant cost savings but, also, added flexibility — organizational leaders could now focus on business-critical and business-building tasks, versus spending time on tedious administrative tasks.
Is There a Role for the Human Worker?
That said, humans still have a major role to play in these now-rules based and automated tasks. The big question then becomes can — and should — we eliminate human touch from the equation entirely, leaving the machines to handle many of these tasks.
The short answer? For the majority of businesses it’s YES — RPA has made this possible. Under these automated processes rules pertaining to a business process are coded into automation software. Once this software is configured there is no human intervention requirement — the machine can handle all processes itself.
The Benefits of RPA
Done right, RPA can increase outputs while providing companies with game-changing benefits: cost savings, enhanced quality and accuracy and better bulk production capabilities, among others. With recent improvements in RPA technology, systems will soon be capable of handling unstructured data and analytics. Layer in machine learning and intelligent automation software, and organizations can exponentially increase a company’s productivity, driving better service delivery.
So that leads to the next big question: what next? How do businesses start leveraging RPA to enhance and improve their day-to-day experiences and reap this essential benefits? Turnkey services like WorkFusion’s RPA Express enable companies to integrate self-service RPA for free, with enterprise-grade software that automates transactions and other everyday tasks. And because RPA Express seamlessly integrates into existing systems and solutions, there’s no need to overhaul your existing workflows or push employees out of their comfort zones.
It’s a good step in the right direction, especially given the breakneck pace automation is moving. Looking ahead, it’s clear intelligent automation can and will modify the entire BPO process, and change the way business happens. By diving in now and automating key processes and procedures, your company can gain better footing in this fast-moving environment and ensure you have the stronghold you need to drive ahead in this new, automated landscape.
