RPA: Why Should I Automate My Company's Processes?
Optimized performance, speed, and precision are just a few of the advantages of adopting RPA (Robotic Process Automation) in your processes. But the list goes much further!
The pursuit of digital transformation and process modernization is a constant in any technology-based front. When it comes to productivity and efficiency, RPA stands out increasingly as an alternative to boost company efficiency and reduce costs without sacrificing quality and scalability.
RPA involves creating robots to execute repetitive activities, from simple to complex, with greater agility and fewer errors. Often, RPA is confused with Artificial Intelligence, but they are not the same. RPA is a simple and extremely functional mechanism in the current and future corporate context, responding to companies' needs for agility and operational efficiency. It is certainly an application that any company—especially yours—should have to stay ahead of the competition.
But what exactly is RPA, and how can this technology change the daily operations of an organization? Let’s dive in and understand better!
What is RPA?
The briefest and simplest explanation is: RPA is a technological application aimed at automating corporate processes using software tools capable of performing specific procedures. Its purpose is to replace highly repetitive, low-value, or operational tasks within a company. RPA "imitates" human actions by performing activities on a computer.
A company using RPA technology can process transactions, manipulate data, communicate with other systems, or even send messages and emails. The principle of robotic process automation is using robots—algorithms capable of performing tasks that initially mimic human actions and interactions with systems.
These robots can evolve into cognitive algorithms in the future, mimicking human judgment and making decisions using machine learning and artificial intelligence. For example, in traditional systems, a person must manually enter data. With RPA, the robot collects and processes the data. In system integration, any platform (ERPs, CRMs, financial management systems, browsers) can be automated. RPA operates by mimicking human commands in a digital system, not by altering the application's code.
RPA generates scalability potential, reduces error risk, and frees your team for more relevant and strategic activities, making your human capital more valuable and focused on business intelligence while technology keeps the company running with speed and precision.
No, RPA is Not the Same as Artificial Intelligence
Despite theoretical similarities, RPA and AI are quite different in practice. An RPA software automates repetitive, more operational, and usually unchangeable tasks. In contrast, AI involves interpreting and learning from data. Today, RPA solutions increasingly incorporate AI, making it an operational automation tool within an intelligent ecosystem. These RPA systems can receive and process information and, through integrations, scale to handle a growing scope.
How Does RPA Work in Practice?
RPA technology operates like a robot, performing necessary actions—from the simplest to the most sophisticated—without altering the interface or API of systems on any platform: desktop, web, Windows, DOS, Android, iOS, Linux, etc. The robot's activities are pre-programmed through computational codes, usually on the front end, without altering the backend's essence.
Building these robots requires considering the environment's architecture, expected performance, execution machines, orchestration, and maintenance of all robots' source codes. Additionally, the business area must manage the automated processes and access performance indicators independently of technical issues, ensuring that all RPA benefits are experienced within the organization.
Examples of RPA Applications
RPA has a broad range of applications within an organization, from simple utilities like sending automated emails to complex tasks involving thousands of bots, each with a specific function. For example, in customer service platforms, RPA can register updates, verify orders, and open customer data histories.
Other RPA applications include:
- Updating customer and employee profiles
- Customer billing
- Order processing
- Sending notifications
- Generating reports
- Performing complex calculations
- Managing the HR talent bank
- Registering, modifying, validating, and analyzing company data
Why Adopt RPA – Advantages and Benefits
Optimized performance, speed, and precision in processes are some reasons to adopt RPA in your business. But the benefits go far beyond that. According to Gartner, by 2024, organizations will save 30% of current operational costs simply by adopting automation and redesigning operational processes.
Here’s how RPA can impact your company’s day-to-day operations:
Greater Productivity with Lower Costs
One of the main advantages of RPA is increased productivity, a key goal for many companies. RPA executes repetitive activities much faster, reducing errors that users typically make. It also alleviates the workload on employees, allowing them to focus on more strategic and productive tasks. This reduces the need for additional hiring as your business scales, increasing profit margins and making your human capital more valuable by focusing on strategies to achieve better results.
Precision and Synchronization
RPA provides unparalleled gains in precision and consistency. Different robots executing distinct tasks in sync can handle complex activities end-to-end on a large scale. This precision improves delivery quality at all levels, reflecting productivity and customer satisfaction.
Error Reduction
Human error is natural; using robots for automation is an excellent way to eliminate issues with typographical errors and repetitive tasks. Every execution is pre-programmed and defined based on process mapping and business rules, resulting in nearly zero error rates.
Integration with Other Systems
RPA allows you to overcome integration challenges with various systems. The robot operates better than a user, using existing interfaces and accesses without needing to alter the systems involved in the process.
Competitiveness and Scalability
Once developed, a robot’s routine can be scaled and multiplied, simply "copying and pasting" into the appropriate infrastructure. Moreover, RPA has been highlighted as a competitive advantage for many companies, enabling them to deliver more value to the final customer and add value to the business.
Increased Satisfaction Across the Board
With process improvements, it’s natural that technology positively impacts both customer and employee satisfaction. It reduces stress from developing bureaucratic, repetitive, and unproductive activities, accelerating solutions, and finding simpler alternatives for success at all levels.
Ready to Start Now?
Any company with repetitive and manual activities, scalable demands, and operational tasks that don’t require intelligence can benefit from RPA technology. If your goal is to accelerate productivity and reduce errors without increasing costs, RPA is for you!
Contact our specialists and let's discuss applying RPA to your company’s routines!