fbpx

What is RPA? RPA Implementation Roadmap| Dubai| Qatar

What is RPA? RPA Implementation Roadmap| Dubai| Qatar

Robotic Process Automation is the technology that allows anyone today to configure computer software, or a “robot” to emulate and integrate the actions of a human interacting within digital systems to execute a business process. RPA robots utilize the user interface to capture data and manipulate applications just like humans do. They interpret, trigger responses and communicate with other systems in order to perform on a vast variety of repetitive tasks. Only substantially better: an RPA software robot never sleeps and makes zero mistakes.

How does Robotic Process Automation work?

RPA robots are capable of mimicking many–if not all–human user actions. They log into applications, move files and folders, copy and paste data, fill in forms, extract structured and semi-structured data from documents, scrape browsers, and more.

Benefits of our Robotic Process Automation Dubai solutions implementation includes:
  • Accuracy – Extreme accuracy and uniformity – much less prone to error or typos
  • Low Technical Barrier – No programming skills required to configure a bot
  • Compliance – Bots follow regulatory compliance rules and provide an audit trail history
  • Non-Invasive Technology – No invasion to underlying legacy system hence reducing the burden on IT
  • Improved Employee Morale – Workers can dedicate time to more engaging, interesting work
  • Productivity – Process cycle times are much faster than manual process approaches
  • Reliability – Bots works tirelessly for 24×7 without any interruption
  • Consistency – Routine tasks are performed the same way each time
  • Cross-industry – RPA can be used across industries since it follows procedures in use
  • Scalability – Instant ramp up and down to match demand peaks and troughs
  • Retention – Shifts towards more stimulating tasks
Our Robotic Process Automation Dubai solutions portfolio includes for:
  • Operational Process Automation
  • Accounts Payable
  • Data Capture/ Verification
  • Claims/Returns Processing
  • ERP Automation
  • Data Aggregation
  • Business Intelligence
  • Reconciliation
  • Chatbot Automation
  • Payroll Processing

 

The Path to RPA Success

There are numerous factors to consider when starting an RPA implementation. While each RPA process depends on the needs and maturity of your organization, implementation typically includes the following phases:

  • Phase 1 – Assess for RPA Opportunities
  • Phase 2 – Select a Vendor
  • Phase 3 – Capture Process Steps, Pilot, and Implement
  • Phase 4 – Manage the RPA Lifecycle

 

RPA Implementation Process

Phase 1 – Assess for RPA Opportunities

A successful implementation begins by finding the processes in your business that could benefit from RPA. To begin, conduct a high-level assessment of the potential process candidates for automation and document the resulting efficiencies and cost-savings opportunities to confirm whether RPA is a good fit. Every process in the company may not be suitable for RPA implementation. This initial step determines which areas will benefit the most by switching to RPA. This savings baseline is the starting point for internal discussions with stakeholders to spark interest and obtain direction. Most importantly, this phase includes technology demonstrations by selected RPA vendors to serve as a proof of concept and platform for knowledge gathering.

Once you have outlined the scope for applying this technology, the crucial next step is to define the objectives of the RPA initiative. It is important to gain agreement from executive stakeholders on project objectives, which determine the project roles, responsibilities, and plans for the remaining phases. From our experience, this initial collaboration and buy-in pays major dividends during the remainder of the implementation. The biggest mistake companies make during this phase is trying to avoid risk by selecting benign processes without significant business impact. This results in unattractive business cases for the very stakeholders from whom you are seeking approval.

Phase 1 Key Tasks

  • Conduct research on RPA services and vendor capabilities
  • Identify project details
    • Project team members and responsibilities (i.e., stakeholders, SMEs, evaluators)
    • Project plan/governance/risks
  • Set project objectives
  • Report out to stakeholders periodically for guidance and strategic direction
  • Agree upon process candidate guiding principles (e.g., high volume, static, impact, etc.)
  • Review a preliminary set of process candidates for use cases and document benefits of potential automation
  • Identify preliminary list of RPA process candidates and software vendors
Phase 2 – Select a Vendor

Phase 2 involves the steps for selecting an RPA provider, starting with gaining agreement on the technical requirements and evaluation criteria. The selection process, often through a request for proposal approach, is an opportunity for vendors to show you how they meet your requirements.

During this phase, refine your procurement strategy by inviting RPA vendors (who meet your list of technical requirements and mandatory criteria) to participate in onsite presentations. Many vendors will agree to demonstrate applying RPA to your selected processes as a proof of concept. These onsite presentations should include a technical demo with a specific focus on the functionality found in each use case, or the process which the RPA is replacing, so that you can evaluate the different solutions.

Then, select a vendor based on the best fit across the technical requirements, onsite presentation and/or proof of concept, and financial business case. Many RPA vendors will conduct the configuration and test for you, while others will sell “bot” licenses and teach you to implement yourself. Most still provide both services. Many companies choose the former for the pilot, but develop in-house expertise to “do it yourself” for future projects. What’s the best fit for you? We believe companies would be best served by contracting a vendor to code the initial pilot to determine if a vendor is needed for further implementations or if an internal RPA center of expertise could handle the subsequent implementations (i.e., if company sees a longer-term future in RPA).

Phase 2 Key Tasks

  • Finalize use case(s) for vendors to respond to and potentially demonstrate
  • Establish process requirements, vendor evaluation criteria, and technology requirements, e.g., access rights, source systems, etc., necessary to support the initiative
  • Develop and issue a request for proposal to selected vendors
  • Evaluate responses (mandatory criteria/technical requirements) to select eligible providers to be invited to the onsite presentation and technical demo phase of the procurement process
  • Execute onsite presentations with designated vendors and utilize financial proposal of selected vendors to create the RPA business case
  • Award the pilot to the highest-evaluated vendor
Phase 3 – Capture Process Steps, Pilot, and Implement

This phase includes the activities necessary to prepare and execute the selected RPA solution. In this phase, you need to ensure that your human capital resources are trained and ready to execute the implementation plan. This phase also involves supporting and testing the IT environment. Additionally, the implementation activities will need to be documented, tracked, and completed per the plan.

Phase 3 includes the facilitation of your pilot for the selected use case(s)/process area. During this step, you will explore the end-to-end automation of each selected use case to showcase the full extent of the RPA technology. If any errors occur, now is the time for refinement and final modifications prior to the stakeholder review. This phase establishes the groundwork for future state operational models for a smooth transition into the long-term RPA strategy defined in Phase 1 and managed in Phase 4.

Phase 3 Key Tasks

  • Support the project management of the detailed implementation plan
  • Determine additional requirements, if any, necessary to support the pilot
  • Conduct readiness assessment
  • Execute pilot with your selected vendor
  • Mitigate any resulting issues as necessary
  • Finalize your benefit model (business case)
Phase 4 – Manage the RPA Lifecycle

Now is the time to launch your successful RPA solution. Phase 4 includes the initial launch of your RPA, as well as planning for the ongoing success of your RPA software through proactive maintenance. Your strategy should include the governance, operating model, organizational structure, and change management plan of your RPA solution.

Phase 4 Key Tasks

  • Put the final strategic model in place (e.g., chargeback mechanisms, creation of RPA center of expertise, etc.)
  • Determine the operating model, governance, and process prioritization system
  • Manage the ongoing change management and communication plan

Contact us to talk to our experts

 

More from my site