3 minutes on... RPA

Robotic Process
Automation (RPA) uses software to automate business processes. RPA is
highly effective at completing multi-step, repetitive tasks such as
extracting information from documents, transferring files and data
entry. The aim of any RPA solution is to replicate the keystrokes and
digital processes carried out by a human employee. Yet while a human
might find this work mundane and time-consuming, the RPA bot can
process high volumes of these tasks quickly and accurately.
From humble beginnings
in the early 2000s, when it automated the simplest of tasks and still
required some human intervention, RPA has now become much more
advanced. AI and machine learning can now be integrated with RPA
systems, creating an automation tool that is able to carry out much
more complex functions. Where standard RPA would be incapable of
processing anything outside of its programming, for example,
Intelligent RPA (also known as Intelligent Automation) benefits from a level of decision-making and
analytical capability. This makes it far less reliant on human
oversight, and much more efficient.
RPA is containerised,
meaning that it doesn’t have any knock on effects on other computer
systems. This is a huge benefit of the technology: it seamlessly
integrates with existing applications, interacting with them in the
same way a human user does – all it needs is a username and
password.
Sarah is renowned for her ability to communicate complex concepts with clarity. She plays a central role in managing the insights programme at Foundry4.