Top RPA Tools 2021: Robotic Process Automation Software
Automation is the way of the future with 68 percent of global employees believing that automation will help them be more productive at work. But figuring out how to add automation to workflows can be a challenge for many organizations. Robotic process automation (RPA) software uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to learn and improve manual processes to reduce the workloads of human employees.
Choosing RPA software for your business
What is RPA Software?
Robotic process automation (RPA) is a type of software that allows companies to automate business processes and allow employees to focus on higher value tasks. Using the software, organizations can build and implement software “robots” that mimic human actions. These robots can identify and process information on a screen, extract data, and perform the right actions to navigate through systems.
RPA software has many applications and can automate tasks as simple as processing online transactions and as complicated as performing routine security audits. By automating repetitive processes, organizations can lower their operating costs and turn their attention to improving business operations.
Also read: Laying the Groundwork for Modern IT Automation
What are the Benefits of RPA?
RPA software offers companies a variety of benefits, including better productivity, employee engagement, and accuracy.
Improved productivity
With RPA, employees don’t have to perform the repetitive tasks that can monopolize their day. This leaves them with more time to focus on high-value work, and it offers them the opportunity to innovate their processes. This not only leads to higher productivity in their day-to-day work, but it can also allow them to improve productivity for the company as a whole. And that productivity isn’t just limited to individual contributors. Even 20 percent of a CEO’s workload could be automated with RPA.
Faster digital transformations
RPA software also enables businesses to speed up their digital transformations. The software robots can perform automated tasks faster and more accurately than humans, and they don’t need breaks. This means that automation can run in the background or overnight while employees spend their in-office time performing more complicated activities. According to a survey by McKinsey, 83 percent of decision-makers in IT say that automation is a critical part of digital transformation.
Also read: Using Responsible AI to Push Digital Transformation
Higher employee engagement
When employees don’t have to spend their days performing repetitive tasks, they’re more likely to be engaged with their work. Automating the duller work gives employees the ability to focus on more interesting and rewarding work, leaving them with a larger sense of accomplishment. A recent Forrester study found that 57% of companies saw higher employee engagement with RPA software. Improving employee engagement reduces turnover and keeps businesses running smoothly.
Fewer errors
Machines tend to produce fewer errors than human employees, even while working faster. By giving repetitive work to RPA software, organizations don’t have to worry about their employees “zoning out” during boring but important work and accidentally inputting the wrong information. Instead, RPA handles these mundane processes and ensures the necessary accuracy. In fact, the same study by Forrester also found that 57 percent of organizations say that RPA reduces manual errors in their work.
The following vendors provide some of the best RPA tools on the market, based on the features they offer and their user reviews.
UiPath
Pros
- Wide range of tools for employees of all skill levels
- Robust support and training tools
- Scalable and customizable policies
Cons
- Large process files can sometimes crash the system
- Updates can sometimes be confusing and require a lot of configuration
Automation Anywhere
Pros
- User interface is intuitive and effective
- Offers the ability to schedule the update process
- The tool is customizable and allows automation of almost any task
Cons
- Large number of features can lead to a steep learning curve
- Some modules are not very flexible
Blue Prism
Pros
- Any user can easily design automation or use the processes included in the platform
- Work queue management and scaling is solid
- Good security and compliance capabilities
Cons
- The interface design seems slightly outdated
- Google Chrome integration appears to have some common issues
WorkFusion
Pros
- ML bots are well-configured and produce quality outputs
- Users can quickly and easily create new processes
- Professional services staff is helpful and supportive
Cons
- The error messages are not always clear, which makes problems difficult to solve
- There seems to be some room for improvement regarding the stability of the platform
NICE
Pros
- Comparatively cheaper than many of its competitors
- Easily captures data and provides easy access to information about executed processes
- Simple to monitor, deploy, and schedule bots
Cons
- OCR features are weaker compared to similar tools
- Implementation can be difficult for citizen developers
EdgeVerve Systems
Pros
- Easily scales across different departments and functions
- The technology is very dynamic and EdgeVerve provides periodic improvements
- Account management team is very responsive and accommodating
Cons
- Implementation requires more human input than many competitors
- There is less support for advanced technologies like OCR
Kofax
Pros
- No-code features allow teams to automate tasks without advanced knowledge
- Highly flexible and easy to use
- Broad range of capabilities support projects of any size and scope
Cons
- User interface needs some improvement
- Pricing packages can be slightly complicated depending on the necessary features
Read next: The Growing Relevance of Hyperautomation in ITOps