When I started implementing Robotic Process Automation (RPA) around ten years ago, we were limited to rule-based, structured data processes. Although very successful, we still needed a human in the loop to make decisions and validate the processes. With the latest innovations, we can go even further than before. This blog explores the evolution of RPA, its integration with various Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities, and how businesses can leverage these advancements to stay competitive and efficient.
The Evolution of RPA
RPA technology started gaining traction about a decade ago, primarily as a rule-based solution for automating straightforward processes. These early implementations were highly effective in reducing manual workload and improving efficiency. However, they were limited by their inability to handle unstructured data and complex decision-making. End-to-end processing was possible but only sometimes achievable.
With more companies undergoing digital transformation, we changed how we look at business operations and processing. It is not uncommon to hear businesses say they have an automation-first mentality. With this mentality, businesses applied automation to repetitive processes to streamline operations, reduce costs, and create efficiencies everywhere. RPA became more than a technology or a band-aid connecting legacy systems’ processes to newer systems. It is a critical technology for keeping up with today’s digital strategy.
From RPA to IPA: The Game Changer
Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into RPA has revolutionized what we can achieve with automation. It has unleashed RPA from its origins of automating mundane, repetitive, rule-based processes to automating complex decision-making processes using analytics and unstructured data. This new era, often referred to as Intelligent Process Automation (IPA), combines the efficiency of RPA with the cognitive capabilities of AI. With IPA, bots can now analyze unstructured data, make decisions, and learn from their mistakes, allowing for true end-to-end automation.
For instance, tasks that previously required human judgment, such as processing customer emails or conducting research, can now be handled by intelligent bots. These bots can understand natural language, extract relevant information from emails, and even interact with customers through chatbots. This advancement has expanded the scope of automation, making it possible to automate complex, decision-based processes that were previously out of reach.
Interest in AI is at an all-time high, with an abundance of use case prototypes in development. As organizations begin to migrate their proof of concept AI applications to production, machine learning operations (MLOps) can be streamlined using RPA. Automated bots can be rapidly configured to provide continuous monitoring of performance, detecting misalignment with original expectations, tracking feedback from users, and alerting the AI engineering team when appropriate. Such automation helps to ensure accountability and adaptability when the assumptions behind predictive models are suddenly no longer applicable, such as the disruption that many businesses faced as a result of the Covid pandemic.
Technical Landscape
The technical landscape is changing. The big three (UiPath, Automation Anywhere, and Blue Prism) are still there, but newcomers like Microsoft, Appian, and others are reaching out to a broader customer base. Automation and intelligent automation capabilities are being added to many technologies (Salesforce, SAP, etc.) as an add-on applications, so you don’t always have to use a third-party RPA tool to start your automation journey. We refer to this as the ‘democratization of RPA,’ making these powerful automation tools more accessible and easier to implement for businesses of all sizes.
Implementing RPA and IPA
Most RPA applications are low/no-code, offering a wide range of opportunities to introduce and adopt RPA. Their adaptability to automate tasks of varying complexity, from small and simple to large and complex, provides everyone with a versatile technology for all their daily processing and tasks. The right tool, the right size, allows companies to take control of their automation needs and tailor them to their unique business needs, empowering them in their digital transformation journey.
At M&S Consulting, we have the expertise to guide businesses through their RPA/IPA journeys. Our approach involves understanding each client’s unique needs and tailoring solutions that integrate seamlessly with their existing systems. We work with a range of technologies, including Microsoft, SAP, and Salesforce, to implement automation solutions that drive business transformation.
As you explore RPA/IPA’s potential for your business, remember that it’s not just about automating tasks. RPA/IPA has the transformative power to revolutionize your business operations, streamline business processes, enable business agility and efficiency, improve data accuracy, empower you to compete more effectively in the fast-moving market, and significantly enhance employee and customer satisfaction.
This transformative potential should inspire and motivate you to consider RPA/IPA for your business.
Ready to transform your business with RPA and IPA? Contact us for a consultation and take the first step towards a more efficient and innovative future. Contact M&S Consulting to start a conversation!