Beyond Bots - Taking a Process-First Approach to Automation

automate | transform | optimise

W H I T E PA P E R

BEYOND BOTS - TAKING A PROCESS-FIRST APPROACH TO AUTOMATION IN THE WORKPLACE

Contents

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WHITE PAPER | BEYOND BOTS - TAKING A PROCESS-FIRST APPROACH TO AUTOMATION IN THE WORKPLACE

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Executive Summary

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What is RPA and where does it add value?

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IT considerations

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What about data?

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Is RPA the solution you’re looking for?

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Executive Summary RPA Right Now Bots have been the focus point for attention-grabbing headlines in recent years, which have warned that the digital workforce could make roles redundant from the back office to the boardroom. Despite the hype, most of us have managed to hold onto our jobs – and we’re not (yet) reporting to cyber-bosses.

That said, however, robotic process automation (RPA) has been gaining momentum as part of a shift towards business process automation that’s occurring in a broad range of industries. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, it’s possible to automate as many as 30% of tasks in most occupations1 – and RPA is certainly one of the automation technologies available that can help companies achieve this.

But what role do bots play in the business transformation revolution?

Given that it is still an emerging technology, many companies do not fully understand the capabilities – and limitations –

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WHITE PAPER | BEYOND BOTS - TAKING A PROCESS-FIRST APPROACH TO AUTOMATION IN THE WORKPLACE

of RPA. This can, unfortunately, lead to unmanageable expectations.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the benefits and challenges of introducing RPA technology in its current form, as well as its role in wider digital transformation – in any industry.

Key Points Understand the capabilities - and limitations of RPA Learn about the benefits and challenges of introducing RPA in its current form The role of RPA in a wider digital transformation context

https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/digital-mckinsey/our-insights/digital-blog/burned-by-the-bots-why-robotic-automation-is-stumbling

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What is RPA and where does it add value?

RPA technology is a software system designed to automate routine, high-volume, labour-intensive tasks that would otherwise be handled by human employees.

The technology operates on the user interface (UI) of an existing application, much in the same way that a person would – except the bot is able to complete the task much faster and with no need to rest.

...RPA is able to run processes more accurately and consistently than a person...

As with any automation tool, RPA is also able to run processes more accurately and consistently than a person, eliminating the risk of human error that is present when even the most skilled, meticulous and engaged employees handle the processes themselves.

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WHITE PAPER | BEYOND BOTS - TAKING A PROCESS-FIRST APPROACH TO AUTOMATION IN THE WORKPLACE

Furthermore, because bots operate systems at the UI layer, they can be configured to gain more value and productivity from existing systems, without the need for an extensive or costly rip-and-replace.

These are just a few of the advantages that are fuelling the adoption of RPA technology among companies that want to augment their human resources or achieve higher levels of productivity, operational efficiency and data quality.

What tasks could you assign to a bot?

The RPA toolkits available today are designed for organisations that are looking to make easily definable, procedural and repetitive processes more efficient. Of course, these tasks also need to be digital or digitallytriggered, because the robots involved in RPA are virtual (and not capable of handling physical tasks such as sorting through mail or bringing in the tea trolley).

In the back office, for instance, bots can be configured to handle payroll processes, month-end close and the collection of basic employee information during the onboarding phase – provided these tasks are rules-based,

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