Robotic Process
automation
What is Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
RPA is… RPA is not…
Computer-coded software Walking, talking auto-bots
Programs that replace humans performing repetitive rules-
Physically existing machines processing paper
based tasks
Cross-functional and cross-application macros Artificial intelligence or voice recognition and reply software
What it can do
Opening email and Scraping data from the
attachments web
Logging into web/ enterprise Connecting to system
applications APIs
Moving files and folders Making calculations
Copying and pasting Extracting structured data
from documents
Filling in forms Collecting social media statistics
Reading and writing to databases Following “if/then” decisions/rules
RPA Industry examples
Leveraging Process / Activity
Company Industry Benefits Experienced
RPA Automated
Cash Application 38% reduction in manual
Yes Energy
(Global Downstream) transactions
Invoice statements,
40 FTE saved, 60% cost
missed contracts,
Yes Energy savings, 8% increase in
Emergency
productivity
contacts
$215 million p.a. reduction in
Accounts
Yes Financial Institution bad debt provision, savings in
Receivable
excess of 120 FTE
65% savings in manual effort,
Yes Accounts Payable Vehicle Manufacturer
reduced error rates
Source:: Hackett / Deloitte
RPA Industry info
Followed the Strategic Learning process – Identified insights and
implications
Industry Research • Trends
• Research
Industry Seminars • Best practices
• Lessons Learned
Case for Action
Business
• RPA economics/benefits are very Performance
attractive and we should pursue
automation opportunities to remain
competitive
AI – driven
transformation
• Prioritize automation of high-value items Current planning horizon
• RPA is not the end, but an enabler for We are here
long-term digital transformation strategy RPA & basic intelligent
automation
• Long term - AI transformation drives
performance
Labor arbitrage & MSP
Consolidation of
functions and
standardization
Time
5
RPA is for Simple, Rule Based Processes
Nature of processes / sub processes Activities typically performed by
considered for RPA RPA
Manual Data Entry & validation
User interface navigation
Repetitive
Automated formatting
Rule Based Copy / paste operations
Login / logout of applications
High Volume;
Limited Variation
RPA is not Intelligent Automation
While RPA can do most mundane tasks, it cannot perform activities that require intelligence and comprehension skills.
Automate rules
Make subjective
based
decision
processes
Reconfigurable Read &
BOTs can be Learn from the
based on comprehend
reused data
changes
free-text
What RPA is
What RPA is
NOT
Easily scalable Triggered on Fix application & Listen to calls /
to meet demand event or process issues conversation
schedule
Backend
Scan through
integration not
images
required
RPA Bot Benefits
Availability Standardization
Automated solution works 24/7 driving BOTs enforces processes to be
responsiveness standardized
Agility Scalability
Enhanced processing speed
Ability to increase capacity seamlessly
compared to human beings Robotic Process to handle high transaction volume
Automation
Benefits
Accuracy High ROI
100% accuracy in transaction Typically RPA implementation Payback
its investment within a year
Example of RPA Opportunity Scope
Category Sub-processes
AR / Collections
Cash Application
Billing Activities
Order to cash Commit Order
Schedule & Dispatch
Manage Contracts
Account Setup
Purchase to pay Payables
Accounting and reconciliation
Accounting and credit Credit management
HR HR and payroll
Business Stewardship
Master Data Management
Business Support Workforce Management
Admin Activities
Reports
9
RPA Components
RPA
Orchestrator
Scheduling (Bot + Script + scheduled time)
Scripts
RPA Bot Business rules
BotID (XYZ) Configuration files
Password
Input file
… …
LAN ID STRIPES ID Layered Apps
(XYZ) (XYZ) / role
VM
VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM
VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM VM
Server WoRP / VMWare
What is Virtual Machine?
Virtual Machine (VM) is…
• a software computer that, like a physical computer, runs an operating system and
applications.
• an emulation of a computer system.
• comprised of a set of specification and configuration files and is backed by the
physical resources of a host.
Example of Implementation
Approach
RPA Opportunity Assessment: Evaluate of all processes across organization
Step 1: Information gathering per detailed Step 3: Analysis of process information Step 4: Prioritization of processes based on
level of process on templates. select factors
Process Automation Potential Effort to Automate
Variation in Time
Prone to
Input Data Sensitivity
Errors
- Rule based - Process complexity
- Type of input data - Number of input
Variation sources sources
Risk - Number of
Across - Complexity
Sensitivity Input Data
Countries Sources
applications the
process uses
Prioritized list
Step 2: Meetings with process Subject Matters Rule Based
Process
experts to validate info and additional Frequency
understanding
Effort to Automate
Process
Maturity
Automation potential
(H/M/L) and effort to FTE savings
automate in weeks
A Day In Life: Process Automation Development, Test, & Deploy
Input
Review the in scope Perform UAT and
process together Agree on initial Design the future Perform Unit and required process updates Perform user training to Release approved
with business and process scope with sate process in close PDDs and recordings to ensure that automated
of the process steps integration testing manage change and automated process into
capture business business owners collaboration with based on test cases process reflects business
requirements based on the business in scope of requirements update required process production
performed review automation documentation
Finalize Process
Process
documentation
Design Future Configure
Establsih and execute Package and
Capture As-Is Sate process Business Test Automated
Automation Perform UAT training (bot deploy processes
process steps and develop Process in RPA Process
Scope controller, into production
user stories Software
business process,
service desk etc.)
Understand as-is Initial process Process Design Document Business Process Finalized process configuration in Fulfilled release note and Process implemented and
process flow and scope for roll out: and process videos: configuration in UiPath and approved test cases finalized approval matrix running in production
business • Geographical RPA software environment
requirements • Business units
• Functions
Output
• Current state process flow Vendor
• Future state process flow
• User stories
IT
• Excepted benefit s Business Units
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Key learnings from witnessed implementations
Opportunity to drive
• There are similarities across processes (esp. noncustomer facing) that can be harmonized while automating
process harmonization
• Such harmonization also results in efficiency in automation & ongoing maintenance
through automation
Important to capture
linkages & dependencies • Simplification and automation of processes results in automatic benefits for impacted activities
between processes for a • Understanding of process touch points can help reduce interfaces and plethora of templates that exist in BSCs today
robust solution
Process simplification &
elimination drives greater
• Several activities performed within the S2C were found to be candidates for simplification or outright elimination
benefits than “just” • Important to identify and discuss activities early on rather than investing in automation
automation
Need to educate customer
• Business users can contribute to solution design once they understand how RPA works
about RPA & their role in • They also need to be educated on their role once processes have been automated
the new operating model
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