It is easy to fall for the latest trends and buzzwords, it’s what keeps us up to date and relevant. But rarely is it completely applicable and implementable on your organisation as-is. Take the new trend of RPAs for example. Robot Process Automation is seen as a quick road to automation and most importantly cost reduction but what is often overlooked is the fact that RPAs are actions that would have been done by a human (manually) now being done by a robot (automated). Which ultimately means that an inefficient process done manually will be just as inefficient, although somewhat faster, when automated. In other words, RPAs do not improve your processes they simply make them go faster.

According to Forrester, “75% of AI projects will underwhelm because they fail to model operational considerations, causing business leaders to reset the scope of AI investments”[1]. With automation comes vast opportunities for decreased lead times and higher quality – if what is being automated is a fully functioning and effective process/activity. When investing in automating processes it is therefore important to set up a clear business case and plan for the new intelligent layer that is being added as it will require new competence for driving the improvement processes, configurations and much more.

 

Learn more about what RPAs are, how they can be used and what to consider when implementing them:

How to Capitalize on Robotics – Savings Drivers with Digital Labor:

https://www.cio.com/article/3187865/leadership-management/how-to-capitalize-on-robotics-savings-drivers-with-digital-labor.html

How Artificial Intelligence Will Change Everything:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-artificial-intelligence-will-change-everything_us_58e52bd6e4b0ee31ab9533eb?guccounter=1

AI in the Workplace and the future of Robotic Process Automation:

https://soundcloud.com/the-impact-podcast/episode-42-ai-in-the-workplace-and-the-future-of-robotic-process-automation

[1] Forrester, Predictions 2018 – A year of reckoning

If you have any questions about the insights we share or are keen to turn ideas into action, please contact Mattias Gustrin, Head of Insight, +46 734 30 14 92, mattias.gustrin@opticos.se