How does RPA fit into modern automation solutions?

In the world of automation, AI and robotics are the hottest topics. Nearly any discussion about automation eventually makes its way back to them. Rarely, however, is robotic process automation (RPA) talked about. This article will do just that, discussing how RPA came about, when and why it’s used, and how it stacks up against AI.

Let's talk about one of the most overlooked players in the automation world: Robotic Process Automation (RPA). This fascinating software has been around since the 90s, but what exactly is it and how does it differ from AI? Let's dive in and find out!

What is RPA?

RPA is a form of automation that uses software, no physical robots are necessary! It was originally used for automated user interface testing and is based on a set of specific rules to carry out tasks. It's the perfect solution for repetitive tasks that don't require analysis, like copying and pasting information or processing online orders. But don't underestimate it! RPA can save you 40-70% in costs because it doesn't make the same mistakes as humans and gets the job done much faster. And the best part? Extensive coding is rarely required to set it up.

RPA vs AI

People often think that RPA is the same thing as AI, but that's not exactly true. Think of RPA as mimicking human actions and AI as mimicking human intelligence/decision-making. RPA can only carry out tasks based on specific rules, whereas AI can make logical decisions based on information and context. So while AI might seem like the "better" option, both RPA and AI have their own unique strengths and uses in automation.

RPA and AI Together

By combining the two technologies, you can create fully autonomous systems that take full advantage of each. For example, AI can analyze emails and sort them based on urgency, sender, and topic. Then, RPA can send out pre-written response templates based on the AI's sorting. Another example is using RPA to extract data from insurance claims and AI to analyze it for potential fraud. In the manufacturing industry, AI is already used heavily for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. RPA can even be used to automate software inputs and shut down machines if data values fall out of an acceptable range to prevent damage.

RPA is a valuable player in the automation world, and when combined with AI, the possibilities are endless. Hope you learned something new and fun about RPA today!