Robotic process automation: what is RPA?

In industrial activities, an increasing proportion of repetitive tasks are being performed by robots instead of humans. A similar trend has appeared in office work. RPA stands for robotic process automation, which aims to replace some of the tasks of human workers with robots in order to work more efficiently. The acronym comes from the English term "robotic process automation". In this article, we explain the benefits and concepts of RPA and illustrate the business application of the technology through examples.

The concept of RPA (robotic process automation)

In robotic process automation, standardised processes are performed by software robots. Such standardizable processes can include reporting, order processing, invoice management, data entry and retrieval, and many other workflows.

The concept of RPA as defined by IBM:

"Robotic process automation (RPA), also known as software robotics, uses automation technologies to simulate human back-office tasks such as extracting data, filling forms, moving files, etc. It combines application programming interface (API) and user interface (UI) interactions to integrate and execute repetitive tasks between enterprise and production applications. Using scripts that emulate human processes, RPA tools perform various activities and transactions autonomously across independent software systems."

Key benefits of robotic process automation

Avoiding human error

Even properly qualified and attentive workers make small mistakes. Some of the most common problems in human work include:

• data entry errors,
• Missed deadlines
• human bias in decision-making,
• mistakes due to misinterpretation of the task,
• fluctuating performance, inconsistency in task performance,
• lack of standardisation and
• calculation errors.

One of the key benefits of using RPA for business is that all of the above errors can be eliminated in automated processes. This avoids costly mistakes and can even have a positive impact on the corporate image.

Efficiency (speed, greater working capacity)

An important advantage is the increased efficiency that can be achieved by implementing RPA. Robotic process automation allows you to work around the clock, seven days a week. In addition to increased capacity, faster throughput further enhances the return on investment of using RPA solutions.

Cost reduction, higher returns

As some processes can be fully performed by software robots, the human workload can be reduced. This can lead to significant cost savings on processes that can be robotised, and human labour can be redirected to other tasks with higher added value. Together, these two factors can greatly improve the bottom line.

Scalability

Is your business growing at a fast pace and, as a consequence, more administrative tasks? Instead of employing another back office staff member, you may want to consider using RPA solutions that can scale efficiently. Software robots can help with dynamic growth because they can scale seamlessly, which means they can track the fluctuations that come with a changing volume of tasks. It's no coincidence that countless start-ups are taking advantage of this technology.

Elimination of cyclical tasks

Some of the cyclic tasks can be replaced by robotic process automation. The human labour freed up can be redeployed to higher value-added tasks.

Connecting application programming interfaces (APIs)

There are often examples, especially in the case of legacy systems used out of necessity, where the code is difficult (or impossible) to access, or where the expertise to modify it is lacking. The company encounters difficulties when it wants to speed up or make more efficient some of the processes in a given system. For example, the system only allows for individual data modifications, whereas it is often necessary to make the same modification to several items at once. In such cases, RPA can be a useful workaround. It is not necessary to touch the program code, but only to "teach" the robot how to perform the operation on a large number of items in quick succession, i.e. how to simulate a mass data modification. RPA can also be used to provide automatic data flow between legacy systems and modern systems, e.g. by providing an RPA solution that allows the integration of API connections. In this way, robotic process automation effectively creates new functionality in the system without modifying the original program.

Practical Examples of RPA Applications

RPA technology can be used in a variety of ways. We have collected a few areas where robotic process automation is often used: 

• Data entry and extraction
• Data check
• Data backup
• Application integration
• Automatic data collection (e.g. web scraping)
• Email automation
• HR support
• Reporting
• Inventory management
• Performing accounting subtasks
• Order processing
• Processing an invoice
• Carrying out customer service tasks

What does an RPA developer do?

An RPA developer is a professional who creates software robots that can work independently. These bots are able to perform business processes without external intervention, and can therefore partially replace human work. An RPA developer performs the following tasks in his/her job:

• understanding and analysing business processes,
• definition of the RPA technology to be used in the project, development of software,
• Testing RPA, correcting detected errors,
• implementing software robots and supporting users.

RPA developer salary: what salary is available?

According to Glassdoor, the average salary of an RPA developer in Hungary is around 1 300 000 HUF gross. The salary available is influenced by a number of factors. These can include the experience of the employee, the company's salary policy and the level of qualification.

Professional software testing

Since 2016, we have been supporting, testing and coordinating enterprise IT development, as well as developing enterprise-wide testing methodologies and business process automation. In this context, we implement enterprise-wide testing methodologies, develop colleagues and help select and implement the necessary testing and ticketing tools. In addition, we ensure the organisation and delivery of the necessary training and tutorials, and the preparation of documentation, thus ensuring effective change management.