Everyone has probably already heard of the magic abbreviation “RPA”. But what is this “RPA”, why do we need it and does it change anything?
When we are talking about “RPA”, we are actually talking about Robotic Process Automation. We are talking about automation technologies which allow organizations to perform simple, rule-based but also time-consuming often back office tasks such as integrating data from several sources into one system or issuing basic invoices without the need of integration like for example ERP systems. Simply put, RPA does the work previously performed by people.
So why Robotic Process Automation instead of relying on your employees’ work? Well, according to a study by PwC, a Return on Investments of over 300% is not uncommon for RPA implementations. Besides that, RPA can reduce the error rates to a minimum, perform tasks at any time and in a faster pace compared to human workforce.
But all of these advantages also steer concerns. What about the employees whose tasks will now be taken over by machines? Predictions say that over 100 million FTEs might be replaced by the implementation of Robotic Process Automation.
However, many supporters of RPA argue that this change will only result in a workforce which will be reintroduced to interesting, demanding jobs, after a period of performing bland and deskilled tasks. And further, employees will not loose whole jobs, but only parts of their job, and only the less interesting parts.
Overall, RPA seems to bring a massive change to today’s way of working by bringing efficiency and offering the possibility for reorganization in times of digital transformation. Let’s see what further changes to today’s way of working the introduction of RPA will offer!
Sources:
https://www.pwc.com.au/pdf/pwc-rpa-and-your-digitisation-strategy-report.pdf
https://www.uipath.com/blog/how-rpa-supports-digital-transformatio
https://www.computerwoche.de/a/kollege-roboter-uebernehmen-sie,3331269
https://www.capgemini.com/de-de/resources/robotic-process-automation-special-edition-summer-2017/
Lacity, M. C. & Willcocks, L. P. (2016b). Robotic Process Automation at Telefónica O2. MIS
Quarterly Executive, 15(1), 21-35.
