The Role of RPA In a Digital Transformation Strategy

As technology develops, more enterprises can see the intrinsic links between robotic process automation (RPA) and digital transformation. Indeed, as many digital frontiers move further toward automation standards, software developers continue to find new ways to bridge the gap between knowledge bases and use automation to support digital transformation efforts.

To understand how RPA works to empower digital transformation and take the first step toward incorporating these insights into your own business, you need a working understanding of both concepts and their roles. Whether you're looking to improve your customer experience service offerings or enhance your existing DevOps processes with RPA, here's what you need to know.

What is robotic process automation?

As we’ve noted many times, the uses of robotic process automation are nearly endless. At its core, RPA uses software robots, chatbots, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to automate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows across business functions and industries.

These digital technology use cases can vary greatly across industries and depend on how software developers implement them. Common RPA silo use cases include order processing, data migration, data audits, and invoicing. Within each of these examples, there's a distinct potential for human error. Whether an analyst incorrectly enters an email address or a contact number, or a data center rep accidentally disrupts one of your algorithms, human error can cost businesses time, money, and resources.

Of course, depending on the industry, this could have far-reaching consequences. Especially in the United States, where business reputation is paramount, it's important to ward off human error and invest in data protection where you can. On top of that, many businesses took COVID-19 as a sign that they needed to streamline certain processes, software testing, and DevOps methodology to improve reliability, reduce user touchpoints, and digitize key information. While this seems intensive, it's a necessary next step, which can lead to greater levels of customer satisfaction, team morale, and employee engagement.

What is digital transformation?

In general terms, digital transformation refers to integrating digital technologies and developed software into a business's workflows. This enables businesses to leverage developed software, new features, and leading service providers to change how you operate and even how you provide value to both existing customers and prospective audience members. These changes often lead to cultural shifts that greatly impact your workplace as they require team members to be agile, adaptable, and even comfortable with failure at times. This is because digital transformation is much more experimental.

One brand may invest in its developer teams to create a mobile app for cross-departmental use on a low-code platform. Another team may leverage data scientists and DevOps engineers to review network security and introduce a new configuration management tool that reshapes daily workflows. RPA can help you digitize personal information, create a chatbot with check box and unsubscribe functionality, or even leverage big data to create infographic presentations. Digital transformation has varied and widespread applications for the average business user or product owner. It's also fundamental to how we approach IoT devices, mobile apps, and bots.

RPA and digital transformation have a symbiotic relationship

RPA can assist developer teams and business users with evolving digital transformation needs and internal process shifts. It's even possible that RPA will work across nearly every conceivable industry and impact all functions, from data protection to low-code application development and deployment. RPA also facilitates greater team collaboration which is essential to tackling operational challenges.

Ultimately, RPA can save you a lot of time. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's more important for a business or a product owner to leverage their big data analytics, spot defects, and make major process improvements that can benefit both the business and the consumer. Ultimately, these enhancements lie within RPA's job description and make digital transformation a relatively quick process that's largely free of defects. As such, you can teach these software robots to mimic employee actions and leverage natural language. The software robot replication version can include anything from simplified copy-and-paste tasks to larger processes, such as invoicing or personal information digitization.

There are varied use scenarios that impact each industry differently. Whether you're part of a team of healthcare clinicians, a corporate recruiter, a product owner, or a chatbot aficionado, the combination of RPA and digital transformation is an alluring one that can provide you with major process silo improvements.

RPA will continue to facilitate digital transformation

Though it's nearly impossible to predict where technology will take us next, it's realistic to assume that RPA will continue to influence and impact digital and IoT transformation for the foreseeable future. As major brands like LinkedIn, Dell, Gartner, and HPE take note, we're likely to see the continued expansion of RPA processes in our transformation efforts. At Robocorp, we are confident RPA will only continue to grow.

To learn more about how your brand can leverage robots, automation, and DevOps, and to find out more about applicable use scenarios, contact Robocorp today. With years of industry experience and our fingers squarely on the pulse of technology in modern workspaces, we can help you understand how RPA can impact your secure network needs, containerization, and your codebase for the better.