What problem does it solve? RPA solves the problem of automation of repeated manual activities. Currently, many users are using multiple applications to perform their job by obtaining data from one application and inputting it into another because applications are not connected through a technology solution. This is mostly because these applications are implemented in a different generation of technologies(mainframe vs. web applications) and rewriting legacy applications is very expansive and time-consuming. What is your solution and who does it apply to? Install RPA as a solution for manual activities where users interact with multiple systems to perform a task not requiring any value added judgment. RPA need simple setup through intuitive user interfaces and simple scripts and can perform these tasks more efficiently than a human. The additional benefit is a reduction in the human error which tends to be a significant issue causing data quality issues. For example, a bot can read data from a screen of one application and precisely enter the data into another application instantly without making any mistake. RPA can also perform more complex activities such as processing an email message which has a relatively structured format and enters the corresponding data automatically into a system. The data may still require validation from a human but the time to perform that activity is much less than manually reading an email and doing data entry into the system. What is the anticipated impact? The primary impact is the reduction in operational cost without rewriting existing applications which can be expansive and time-consuming. Another significant benefit is a major reduction in data entry errors resulting from a human error in manually performing the same task. With advanced implementation such as natural language processing and natural language generation solutions like this can be used to automatically answer end-user emails and voice queries without deploying additional workforce.
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The major challenge is the acceptance of this idea by the workforce currently engaged in manual activities. The same set of resources are key to the deployment and training of process automation activities. But the research shows that most employees are much more satisfied with higher value activities once the mundane tasks are automated.
Usage of Robotics Process Automation is proven to be very successful in the private industry. Major banks and retailers have employed it in automated customer service and various operational activities resulting in major cost savings and increased productivity.
Awesome idea - is there a specific instance you could point to where implementation could create a significant efficiency?
It sounds like a good idea but can you provide some real time scenarios/use cases (proabably within OIT to start with) to show where this idea could be implemented, to improve productivity?
Nice future thinking for state development.
Robotic Process Automation is well suited for processes that are clearly defined, repeatable and rules-based. I can think of automating following procedures in any organization. Transferring data from one system to another Payroll processing Forms processing Change of address processing (can be on multiple systems) Compliance reporting - software compliance W4 management On-boarding new employees or consultants System access and setup
I think this is a good idea and where technology is heading. I would like to see a Proof Of Concept to illustrate using Robotic Process Automation at the State. Definitively worth investigation.
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