Process Automation has been the superhero for industries for a long time. Automation has led to increased efficiency, reduced risks, compliance maintenance, and enhanced profitability. As the technology has made giant strides, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has come up and quickly become the new approach to automate business processes, while replacing traditional automation.

What is RPA?

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is the new buzzword in the technology world, which has garnered significant interest in process automation domain. It uses software with artificial learning (AI) and machine learning capabilities to automate high volume tasks that demand significant human intervention.

Such a technology shall only be taken into consideration when you understand the relevance of Robotic Process Automation.

What is the difference between Robotic Process Automation and Traditional Automation?

In principle, traditional and Robotic Process Automation integrate software to automate business processes. However, there are 5 areas where RPA takes a giant lead from traditional automation.

1. Technology Base

In traditional automation, programming takes the center stage and makes use of APIs & other methods to integrate several systems on one platform. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) comprehends the actions of a user at the UI level. For developing traditional automation platforms, a developer needs to have a thorough understanding of the target system. However, in RPA, because the robot is comprehending the actions of a user and is following the steps correctly, the importance & complexity of underlying technology and its application takes a back seat.

2. Vendor / Software Limitations

Several reasons limit the use of traditional automation

• Customization of application is restricted as users do not have any source code of the software
• Integration of different systems become a challenge due to limitations of APIs
• New-age and skilled developers will find it challenging to downgrade and work on legacy systems

Automation of legacy systems demand a thorough knowledge of software and customers will find it very difficult to make any amendments or upgrades. RPA primarily works on UI layer and above restrictions will be redundant, making RPA the best alternative.

3. Turn-around time

Traditional automation demands complex programming and quality tests while RPA offers an easier ‘record & play’ automation method. RPA is faster than traditional automation. In traditional automation, skilled software developers are needed along with critical IT support. However, RPA is focused towards techno-functional SMEs who can teach the bots.

4. Customization

Traditional automation face critical challenges when it comes to customization. On the other hand, RPA can be tailored easily to meet the needs of a particular user. RPA can integrate various applications like ERP, CRM, calendar, e-mail and others to sync information, create automated replies and respond.

5. Audience

Traditional automation applications need software developers who are adept with skills and supported by IT platforms. In RPA, the focus is towards techno-functional SMEs who can teach the robots.

Traditional automation still finds applications in several systems and has its own set of pros and cons. With RPA, however, the organizations can develop quick, smart and cost-effective tools to boost efficiency and thereby make greater impact and improvement in profits and revenue.

At BoTree Technologies, we build web and mobile applications to add value to our client’s business. We align ourselves to ensure that our client benefits the most out of our engagement.

We work in Ruby on Rails, Python, Java, React, Android and iOS.

Drop us a line to discuss how can we help take your business to the next level.

The Big Fight: Robotic Process Automation vs. Traditional Automation was originally published in BoTree Technologies on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.