Got BOTS? Get ready for Oracle RPA

Part 1 of the 3-Part “Got Bots?” Series

Doesn’t it seem like RPA, the latest buzzword, is being talked about everywhere?

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is definitely a hot topic — and for good reason. It is one of the most popular solutions to help businesses solve shortcomings and enhance organizational productivity, efficiency, and stability. But while RPA is helping businesses advance at a rapid rate, Oracle Forms and EBS users are not always seeing the same value and ROI as with other technologies. The challenge is identifying which RPA tools and strategies will work best with the complexities of an EBS environment.

I speak with companies almost daily trying to make sense of RPA and how it can enhance their operations. Organizations worldwide utilize Oracle applications as their mission-critical, back-office systems; their entire day-to-day operations rely on them. However, the sensitive and dynamic nature of Oracle systems can make automation challenging without the right factors in place. That’s why the first step of successful automation begins with a thorough examination of the organization’s processes, resources, and automation goals.

For those just starting out on their RPA journey, the process can seem daunting. Where do we begin? How do we know if our complex Oracle systems are a good fit for RPA? Will this bring ROI or create more headaches? How do we choose a vendor and solution to complement our dynamic applications?

Over the next several weeks, I will be posting a 3-part series in which I will share important considerations for each stage of the automation journey. These articles are intended to help guide you in assessing your needs and setting yourself up for a successful Oracle RPA experience.

This 3-part series will break down the RPA journey into its three initial phases:

1. What is RPA, and what can my business gain from it?
2. How do I choose the best workflows to begin my automation journey?
3. What factors must I consider to ensure the successful deployment of Oracle RPA?

What is RPA, and what can my business gain from it?

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is an emerging technology that uses software robots to execute business processes. Tasks are completed just as an employee would but at a fraction of the time and cost. With its end goal to mimic human tasks as closely as possible, RPA takes over repetitive, mundane tasks and elevates operational efficiency to the next level.

Across industries, many are rapidly adopting RPA (including manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and financial services) to great benefit. RPA enables rapid ROI and cost-savings, increasing productivity and data accuracy, and improving customer experiences and retention. RPA accelerates workflows by eliminating manual, time-consuming tasks while improving data quality and freeing up employees to contribute more meaningfully by working on higher-level tasks.

So, how do you know if you’re ready for Oracle RPA? Use the guiding questions below to find out if you can benefit from RPA automation:

• Do you want to reduce manual data entry?

Delegating menial data entry tasks to an RPA tool increases the availability of employees to work on more advanced analytical tasks.

• Do your workflows include processes that require maximum uptime?

RPA bots work 24/7, are 100% reliable, and don’t get sick or take vacation days. Robots enable work to be completed outside of standard work hours.

• Are you eager to eliminate human errors?

Although robots are programmed to mimic human users, their actions are flawless, with zero errors and 100% accuracy.

• Do you need rapid automated QA testing and data validation?

If testing and validations delay progress on other development fronts, RPA can accelerate and standardize your QA process.

• Are you interested in reducing costs?

RPA carries out repetitive tasks quickly, accurately, and consistently, saving you valuable time and money.

RPA can result in incredible gains. RPA bots are intuitive and easy to install, use, and configure. Just show your bots what to do, and enjoy watching them do the work for you.

Checklist: Can I Benefit from Oracle RPA?

Download the printable checklist here.

As you can see, companies have much to gain by utilizing RPA in their back-end operations. But the real success and ROI of Oracle RPA will depend on how you go about planning and implementing your strategy and ensuring that you choose the right workflows and RPA tool for your needs and goals.

Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 which will focus on how to set yourself up for success.

Next up: How to Choose the Best Oracle Workflows to Automate

Want to learn more about RPA and its benefits? Here’s a good place to start.