TITLE

Technical Seminar Report submitted

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of degree of

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY

in

COMPUTER SCIENCE ENGINEERING

Submitted
By

Mr.S.Michael Johnson

Ht.No.15D41A05L9

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

SRI INDU COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

(An Autonomous Institution under UGC, Accredited by NBA, Affiliated to JNTUH)

Sheriguda, Ibrahimpatnam - 501510

(2018-2019)

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 SRI INDU COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND
TECHNOLOGY
(An Autonomous Institution under UGC, Accredited by NBA, Affiliated to JNTUH)

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

CERTIFICATE
Certified that the Technical Seminar work entitled ROBTIC PROCESS
AUTOMATION is a bonafide work carried out by Mr. S.Michael
Johnson[15D41A05L9] in partial fulfillment for the award of Bachelor of
Technology in Computer Science and Engineering of SICET, Hyderabad for
the academic year 2018-2019.

The Technical Seminar Report has been approved as it satisfies academic

requirements in respect of the work prescribed for IV Year, II-Semester of
B.Tech course.

Staff member in-charge H.O.D

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Contents Page no

1. Introduction. 3
1.1. What is Robotic Process Automation.
1.2. RPA Implementation plan.
1.3. How Robotic Process Automation works.

2. How RPA is different from normal Automation. 6

3. What type of processes can be automated with RPA. 7

4. Characteristics of RPA. 8

5. RPA tool vendors and tool list. 10

6. Impact on society 15

7. Benefits of RPA. 16

8. Limitations of RPA. 17

9. Ppt slides 18

10. Conclusion 22

11. References 23

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 INTRODUCTION

What is Robotic Process Automation?

Robotic process automation mimics human actions associated with a variety of

business processes. In taking on predictable and repeatable tasks, software “robots”
have the potential to vastly reduce costs, improve process quality and consistency, and
enable greater scalability.

The term “robotic process automation” may conjure images of machines on a

shop floor building cars or repairing aircraft engines, but the “robots” involved in
robotic process automation aren’t robots in the physical sense. Rather, they are
software that resides on a PC and interacts directly with business applications. By
mimicking the way people use applications and following simple rules, software
robots automate routine business processes, such as gathering and comparing data
from different systems, adjusting insurance claims, or processing orders.

Robotic process automation tools have matured quietly over the last decade, and
now they’re finding a place in many organizations. Forward-thinking business leaders
are paying attention to robotic process automation because the technology holds the
potential to computerize a variety of manual processes. As a result, it can help address
business process complexity, increase efficiencies, and dramatically reduce costs.

According to Deloitte research, the fully loaded operating cost of a software

robot is consistently and significantly less than the onshore or even offshore labor cost
that it is displacing. The technology cut a medical insurer’s cost to process claim
adjustments by 44 percent.¹ After applying robotic process automation to 14 core
processes, a business process outsourcing provider achieved 30 percent cost savings
per process, while improving service quality and accuracy.²

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What’s more, robotic process automation presents an effective, lower-cost alternative
to major technology implementations aimed at standardizing business processes and
facilitating integration among disparate systems. So instead of implementing an
enterprise solution or business process management system, both of which require
substantial investments, companies can deploy software robots that perform routine
business processes across multiple systems, while simultaneously avoiding much of
the laborious process redesign effort associated with large-scale IT initiatives.

RPA Implementation Plan

There are mainly 6 steps to be followed for a successful RPA implementation.

1. Identify the Automation Opportunities

2. Optimize the Identified Processes
3. Build a Business Case
4. RPA Vendor Selection
5. Pilot RPA Development
6. Ramp up and Continue Building Expertise RPA bots.

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How Robotic Process Automation Works

Robotic process automation products broadly comprise three fundamental

elements: a set of developer tools, a robot controller, and the software robots.

The developer tools are used to define jobs—the sequences of step-by-step

instructions a robot follows to perform a particular business process. The instructions,
which need to be very detailed, may include business rules or conditional logic, such
as if/then decisions. Developer tools often feature drag-and-drop functionality and
simple configuration wizards so that business users without coding experience can
employ them. However, these tools are not as simple as writing “macros” and do
require users to focus on spotting exceptions, which may impede the automated
process if not addressed up front. Some tools include a “process recorder” that speeds
up the definition of a process by capturing a sequence of user actions. Others feature
interactive diagrams that make visualizing complex processes easier. Developer tools
are used only in modeling the processes and making changes to them; they are not
required to actually run the processes.

The robot controller plays three essential roles. By serving as a master

repository for defined jobs, the robot controller facilitates version control. It safely
stores credentials for business applications and provides them to robots only when
required, ideally in encrypted form. The robot controller also assigns appropriate roles
and permissions to users, and provides controls and workflows to govern the
processes of creating, updating, testing, reviewing, approving, and deploying jobs to
the robot workforce. Finally, it assigns jobs to single or grouped robots, and monitors
and reports on their activities.

Software robots (also known as “clients” or “agents”) carry out instructions

and interact directly with business applications to process transactions. The list of

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actions a robot is capable of performing can stretch to over 600 in some products³,
and additional actions can often be custom-coded. Some robots keep detailed logs of
their actions and decisions for compliance and audit purposes, as well as to help
companies identify additional process improvement opportunities.

How this is different from Normal Automation?

Software robot simulate manual clicks with records actions and business logic.
Normal automation requires new systems to be built for automation; Normal
automation is usually costly and time consuming.

Normal way to automate:

Develop new enterprise system: This is usually most complex - requires high time and
high cost.

Optimize the process with Business Process Management Systems: This usually may
be less complex than developing new IT systems but costs & time required are almost
same as developing new enterprise system

RPA is much easier than both above mentioned automation approaches. It doesn't
require one to re-engineer process or build new IT system.

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What type of processes can be automated with RPA?

Repeatable, simple, standardized IT system interactions by human users are low

hanging fruits for RPA. Till the time a process can be written as workflow, it can be
automated with RPA.

Following are commonly used applications by users. Most of RPA tools

supports recording actions on these applications and which can be replayed as
automation:

1. Web based
2. Desktop
3. Citrix
4. SAP
5. Excel

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Characteristics of RPA

Code-Free

RPA does not require programming skills:[2] Business operations employees -

people with process and subject matter expertise but no programing experience - can
be trained to independently automate processes using RPA tools within a few weeks.
[4]

Many RPA platforms present a flowchart designer, much like Microsoft Visio:
process definitions are created graphically by dragging, dropping and linking icons
that represent steps in a process.

Non-disruptive

One of the challenges of traditional IT deployments is that the transformation or

change of existing systems is complex and risky. Thus, many large organisations are
reluctant to redesign, replace or even to enhance existing systems through the creation
of new IT interfaces (or APIs). For this reason, the philosophy behind RPA is to avoid
the complexity and risk of such changes where they are not warranted, (or indeed to
enable such changes to be prototyped and tested, simply by simulating equivalent
input/output via the user interface in lieu of APIs).

RPA tools therefore lean towards "light" IT requirements and do not, for
example, disturb underlying computer systems.[4] The robots access end user
computer systems exactly as a human does - via the user interface with an established
access control mechanism (e.g. logon ID and password) - so no underlying systems
programming need be required. This is an important point because, from a security,
quality and data integrity perspective, the UI of many applications encapsulates many
years of requirements and testing for error prevention, data integrity and security

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access control. To bypass a UI by creating a new API is a risky undertaking and
requires extensive testing in order that the same levels of functionality and protection
are maintained.

Business user friendly

RPA’s ease of use and low requirement for technical support perhaps explains
why adoption typically originates inside business operations and not inside
Information Technology (IT) departments.[9] Because RPA projects do not require
expensive IT skills and investment in new platforms, the economic threshold of
processes with a viable business case for automation is substantially lowered.

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Robotic Process Automation Vendors & RPA Tools List

Below are some of the leading Robotic Process Automation vendors providing the
RPA tools to automate the processes.

1. Blue Prism
2. Uipath
3. Automation anywhere
4. Softomotive
5. Datamatics
6. EdgeVerve
7. HelpSystems
8. Kofax
9. NICE
10. Pegasystems

1. Blue Prism

The term Robotic Process Automation was invented by Blue Prism, that itself
proves they are the pioneers in Robotic Process Automation software development.
Blue Prism has been recognized by the American IT research and advisory company
Gartner, Inc. They already have more than 100 customers around the world and
partnered with biggest giants like NHS, Accenture, Hexaware, Hewlett Packard
Enterprise, Capgemini, IBM etc.

2. UiPath

They are one of the most leading RPA vendors in the industry, already providing
robotic process automation solutions to companies like SAP, EY, J.P.Morgan,
Deloitte, Accenture, Capgemini, BBC etc.

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Below are 3 Robotic Process Automation products provided by UiPath:

 UiPath Studio
 Front Office and Back Office – UiPath Robots
 UiPath Orchestrator

3. Automation anywhere– Go be great.

Automation Anywhere is another top RPA vendors providing powerful and user-
friendly robotic process automation tools to automate tasks of any complexity. They
are partnered with companies like EMC2, KPMG, Deloitte, Accenture, Genpact,
Infosys etc.

4. Softomotive

Softomotive is one of the leading Robotic Process Automation providers offers

sharp business solutions, premium support and professional services that
organisations need to get the most out of their enterprise automation. They been
trusted by more than 6,000 companies worldwide, (Intel, IBM, SIEMENS, Accenture,
Vodafone, pwc, Adobe, Xerox, Cognizant etc).

Softmotive has been operating for more than 10 years in the software automation
market, and they offers the most reliable and scaleable automation solutions, bridging
the gap between best-of-breed technology and continuous innovation to deliver true
business transformation.

Softomotive has developed a Robotic Process Automation Product exclusively

for enterprises, which will dramatically reduce the operational costs, increase
efficiency, improve productivity and accelerate performance.

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5. Pega

Pegasystems is a software company develop strategic applications for sales,

marketing, services and operations. They have a wide variety of products designed for
different industries like Financial Services, Insurance, Healthcare, Communications,
and Government etc.

The advantage with Pega’s robotic process automation tool is that, they already
have industry leading BPM (Business Process Modeling) platforms and recently
acquired OpenSpan RPA software company. Which makes Pega a complete solution,
enterprises no longer have to choose between automation vs. digital transformations

6. KOFAX from Lexmark

Kofax is a leading software company owns the trademark for “First Mile” of
customer engagement.

They have a Robotic Process Automation and Web Data Integration product called
Kofax Kapow. Which is highly scalable and flexible to provide any kind of robotic
automation and artificial intelligence capabilities.

7. NICE

NICE is a leading RPA solutions providers in the industry having solid 6

customer success stories. Their Free ebook on Robotic Process Automation Case
Studies and RPA Infographics provides more insights about the company and RPA.

8. G1ANT

Another pretty straight forward and a new Robotic Process Automation vendor
who operates on 3 simple steps automation.

Performance audit, Work automation and Technology Transformation.

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9. Novayre Solutions

Novayre Solutions is a Spanish software company specialized in software

development, integration and automation. They have been providing business
intelligence and automation solutions since 2008. Novayre Solutions developed a
Robotic Process Automation with a unique name called Jidōka, which means
“automation with a human touch” in Japanese. The whole idea behind this RPA tool
is to replicate the human behavior using computer applications.

10.WorkFusion

WorkFusion is a software company committed to develop AI powered

software products to transform the work. Company headquartered on Wall Street in
New York city with branches in India, US and Europe. Key concepts or focus are of
WorkFusion are Robotic Process Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive
Automation.

Robotic Process Automation Tools selection Checklist:

Technology

First and foremost is the technology in which RPA tool has been built, like
Microsift .NET, IBM Mainframe, Java, web etc. The tool has to be platform
independent, considering many of the organizations perform their day to day tasks
outside the local desktop using Citrix or Virtual machines etc. So the automation
solution should be able to support any application and platform.

Interface

Next most important feature is the RPA tool’s user interface. A complex user
interface will delay the process of implementation and increase the learning curve and

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adaptability. A more user friendly interface like drag and drop, auto capture, image
recognition etc. would be better.

Management

It is important to know how effectively and easily the robots can be managed
considering these robots are going to be replacing your human workforce. There
should be a high level of visibility and control in terms of process monitoring, process
change, development, re-use etc.

Security

Security is one of the most important factor to be considered. How safe are the
robots compared to the humans? RPA tools are also a piece of software, so how much
more security controls can be implemented,. Automation solutions that supports the
compliance process are some of the factors to be considered in terms of security.

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Impact on Society

Academic studies project that RPA, among other technological trends, is

expected to drive a new wave of productivity and efficiency gains in the global labour
market. Although not directly attributable to RPA alone, Oxford University
conjectures that up to 35% of all jobs may have been automated by 2035.

In a TEDx talk hosted by UCL in London, entrepreneur David Moss explains

that digital labour in the form of RPA is not only likely to revolutionise the cost
model of the services industry by driving the price of products and services down, but
that it is likely to drive up service levels, quality of outcomes and create increased
opportunity for the personalisation of services.

Meanwhile, Professor Willcocks, author of the LSE paper cited above, speaks
of increased job satisfaction and intellectual stimulation, characterising the technology
as having the ability to "take the robot out of the human",a reference to the notion that
robots will take over the mundane and repetitive portions of people's daily workload,
leaving them to be redeployed into more interpersonal roles or to concentrate on the
remaining, more meaningful, portions of their day.

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Benefits of RPA

Robotic process automation is being touted as one of the most innovative tools
in the modern workplace. And while many businesses are already singing the praises
of effective RPA technology, some remain hesitant over whether such tools are really
worth the investment. As with any other business decision, weighing the various
advantages and downsides can help make the process of determining whether robotic
process automation is right for you easier and more efficient. That being said, let’s
take a look at a few of these pros and cons below.

RPA can help digitally transform your business and unlock value by providing:

 Quality Services: Better accuracy and better customer service.

 Greater Compliance: Business processes can be set to operate in accordance
with the necessary regulations and standards.
 Increased Speed: Processes can be completed at unprecedented speeds.
 Increased Agility: Reduced overhead and more flexible business resources.
 Comprehensive Insights: Improved efficiency by digitizing and auditing
process data.
 Reduced Costs: Manual or repetitive tasks are carried out by RPA software at
a fraction of the cost
 Employee Experience: Increased staff productivity and reduced attrition.

All these factors can set your company apart from competitors and are highly valuable
in terms of shaping your business’s digital operations strategy.

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Limitations of RPA

 Monetary Expense – Budgetary restrictions are among the biggest reasons

why businesses opt not to implement RPA.
 Lack of Technical Ability – Many people believe that in order to leverage
robotic process automation, the end user must possess significant technical
know-how. This misconception often holds them back from reaping the many
benefits that are available to them.
 Major Change – Adopting a new technology requires change, but with the
right tool, the impact of that change is much less noticeable and disruptive
than many realize.
 Redundancy – Another common concern of those resistant to RPA is the fear
that robots will replace human workers, when its main purpose is to actually
support humans in the workplace.

In reality, almost all of these so-called disadvantages of robotic process automation

ultimately stem from lack of understanding and fear of change. When these obstacles
are adequately addressed, the benefits of RPA can fully embraced and realized. For
instance, becoming educated on the various options, objectively weighing the many
benefits, accurately assessing ROI and addressing the irrational misconceptions of
employees can help make the adoption of automation a much more positive
experience.

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Conclusion

 While RPA is a boon to IT services industry considering the positive impact in

terms of cost, profitability and operational efficiency.
 The concern about downsizing of labor could be tackled by way of
reallocation and redistribution of human capital.
 Automation is here to stay and would continue to change the business model
and delivery model of IT players especially BPO.
 It being a disruptive technology with increasing acceptance in the industry
would compel other players with defensive approach to quickly adopt the
change in order to stay in the business.

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References

1. AI interns:Software already taking jobs from humans, New Scientist

2. Robotic Process Automation offers scope for artificial intelligence, Ovum
3. Robotic Automation Emerges as a Threat to Traditional Low Cost
Outsourcing, HfS Research
4. What knowledge workers stand to gain from automation, Harvard Business
Review
5. Robotic Process Automation at Xchanging (PDF), London School of
Economics

6. Evaluation of Key Success Factors Influencing ERP Implementation Success,

Capella University
7. Building a Center of Expertise to Support Robotic Automation (PDF),
Forrester
8. The Role of IT in Business Driven Process Automation (PDF), Forrester
9. The Forrester Wave: Robotic Process Automation, Q1 2017, Forrester,
February 13, 2017, retrieved September 13, 2017
10. Gartner Predicts 2014: Business and IT Services Are Facing the End of
Outsourcing as We Know It, Gartner
11. Pega buys OpenSpan, Forrester

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