Learn How Robotic Process Automation Empowers Your Key People

Innovation Learn How Robotic Process Automation Empowers Your Key People Tom Bennett Brand Contributor SAP BRANDVOICE Storytelling and expertise from marketers | Paid Program Aug 30, 2022, 07:45am EDT | Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Robotic process automation (RPA) offers the promise of supporting complex and bespoke business processes, while not necessarily sacrificing the advantages of using a ‘vanilla’ version of a software solution or purchasing a dedicated workaround. getty When it comes to solving complex business issues, one (software) size does not fit all. Even within a specific functional area like Human Resources, or project management, each organisation has its own internal and external challenges that are unique.

In the past. the best advice was to change the process to suit the software features, not the other way around. However, in today’s complex world of integrated cloud solutions, that sort of thinking may not be the only option anymore.

Automation is making inroads in new ways worth considering. I used an AI tool called Jasper to write this very blog post. Jasper still has a lot to learn, but it is already quite good at understanding the context of what I am trying to say and suggesting words and phrases that I might want to use.

The benefit here is that I was able to write the blog post faster, and with less effort. Jasper won’t replace me yet, I still had to provide all key ideas, links and context. This is one emerging example of how process automation, be it writing a blog, or executing many transactions to help facilitate better or more efficient HR processes is becoming a focus for many organisations.

Robotic process automation (RPA) for example, offers the promise of supporting complex and bespoke business processes , while not necessarily sacrificing the advantages of using a ‘vanilla’ version of a software solution or purchasing a dedicated workaround. This is especially true when RPA is used to fill gaps in functionality or automate repetitive tasks. The adoption of RPA is impressive.

In a recent Deloitte survey , 74% of respondents are implementing RPA or ‘intelligent automation’. And it’s no wonder why as these organisations expect to see a 31 to 70% decrease in the cost of supported processes. RPA Allows Experts to Avoid Repetitive Tasks, Saving Time and Money There are many use cases for RPA for HR.

Like other disciplines, by leveraging RPA for HR tasks more time can be freed up for HR subject matter experts to work on more complex, and perhaps high value tasks. Some examples of HR related RPA trends: Recruiting Administration – Creating and populating job openings, or requisitions with the relevant organisational, financial and recruiting related values can be a mostly brainless activity, but these documents need to be created and published quickly and in large volumes. RPA automates this task, and can account for variations based on simple logic with a summary of the results at the end, leaving talent acquisition specialists to the more nuanced tasks, like writing the job posting description.

Onboarding – Every employer has a unique set of tasks that must be completed in order to successfully onboard new employees. While many HR solutions offer onboarding related task management, the real challenge comes in with variations, or random requests or even common changes like a changed start date. RPA allows an existing onboarding solution to adapt to these variations, but in addition to add more value.

Scheduling orientation meetings, collecting documents, and following up on tasks are all very useful, and often repetitive tasks that an advanced RPA might be ideal for freeing the HR staff up for a warm, human welcome on day 1. More than just a ‘macro’, the important thing to remember about modern RPA is that it can incorporate other advanced technologies to provide more functions. Depending on the platform, RPA can leverage sophisticated workflows with branching decision trees.

Artificial Intelligence with Machine Learning, Optical Character Recognition, Network File Storage, API’s and other advanced technologies can be incorporated into RPA workflows to handle complex tasks and operations. This combination of technologies means that the sky is the limit in terms of what is possible. Building a Monster It is therefore important to plan the deployment of RPA carefully .

Consider the impact of automation on your existing business processes, on your people and on your IT landscape. Automation in general isn’t always a benefit and can cause other issues down the line. The story of Mickey Mouse and the Sorcerer’s Apprentice is an old, but very apt example of how automating a simple task can turn into a nightmare.

Imagine using RPA to produce data, or fill out forms, only to realise that now you have a new project to deal with the thanks to the output of your RPA technology . Good use of RPA means to think of the task, and then consider what parts of the task are repetitive and rule based and what parts require a human to intervene. Finding the right balance between your robot’s tasks, and those tasks that humans can focus their energy and creativity on will result in a good, synergistic solution.

Clearly, RPA is set to be a major factor in the IT landscape of many organisations over the next few years, and with a little planning and insight it is a technology that could free up time for an organisation’s valuable subject matter experts, while simultaneously saving time and money. If this sounds like technology that your organisation could benefit from, and to see a comprehensive RPA solution, check out this site . This is what robots were meant for! Tom Bennett Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.