Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is no longer just an IT trend. According to recent reports, the majority of large and very large enterprises worldwide now use RPA solutions to reduce costs, minimize errors, and enhance compliance. RPA has become a staple in corporate strategies, particularly in finance, logistics, and human resources.
Adapting Companies and Technologies
RPA does not involve physical robots but rather software applications designed to automate repetitive, rule-based tasks. This technology has the potential to make businesses more efficient and competitive by optimizing manual processes and reducing errors. Modern RPA solutions increasingly incorporate AI technologies to handle cognitive tasks. Advances in machine learning, optical character recognition (OCR), natural language processing (NLP), and unstructured data processing enable RPA bots to perform more complex tasks and support broader automation strategies.
Established RPA applications include filling out forms, transferring data, performing calculations, and executing "if-then" commands. Such tasks are not only time-consuming and burdensome but also prone to errors. Simple mistakes can occur during copying or calculations, or steps may be overlooked. Bots, on the other hand, significantly reduce error rates and are faster and more cost-effective. Additionally, they work around the clock without complaints about repetitive tasks, and every step is traceable.
Improving Processes
For RPA to be effective, a well-functioning process is essential. While RPA bots perform tasks faster than human employees, they do not necessarily do them better. A key advantage of RPA is that it requires minimal adjustments to existing processes for automation. The bots are designed to replicate the "manual" path taken by employees. However, this requires that processes be thoroughly understood and optimized; otherwise, automation will only speed up inefficient workflows.
“The question of whether BPM platforms can be replaced by RPA can be answered with a clear "No." Instead, RPA should be integrated into BPM platforms.”
Marcel Prügel
Head of Product Management, Axon Ivy AG
A Future of Integration
The idea that BPM platforms could be replaced by RPA is clearly not viable. Rather, RPA and BPM platforms complement each other perfectly to achieve higher degrees of automation. While RPA focuses on executing existing processes more efficiently and quickly without fundamentally changing or optimizing them, BPM platforms are dedicated to comprehensive management and continuous improvement of business processes. BPM is a method for process optimization, whereas RPA is a tool that automates specific tasks within these processes.
By combining BPM and RPA, companies can implement end-to-end process automation in their digital strategies. BPM platforms orchestrate processes, enable customer interactions, and make complex decisions, while RPA ensures the fast and accurate execution of repetitive tasks. The goal of BPM is to create an environment where processes are continuously optimized, allowing companies to realize their full potential. As BPM and RPA complement each other, understanding where each technology should be applied is crucial for achieving the best results.
