How many times have you felt that your employees are just not working at their full potential? Probably quite a lot, right? And if you’re anything like me, then it’s made you wonder why that is. Why aren’t they working at their full capacity? What is limiting them from being the best they can be – and making your business function to its maximum potential?
For most people, this causes a bit of a dilemma. How do we get our employees to work better without having to resort to micromanagement or strict disciplinary action? The answer lies in what’s known as robotic process automation (RPA). A type of software technology designed specifically with this issue in mind. Its goal? To automate repetitive tasks so humans can focus on more pressing and important matters.
As more companies see that RPA is a more cost-effective and productive alternative to hiring, the value of this type of software has gone up – and it’s still climbing. As such, we’ve compiled a list of pros & cons for your consideration:
Table of Contents
The Pros of RPA
1) Its A Time Saver
RPA gives employees the time they need to focus on tasks handled by humans rather than machines. For instance, instead of having an employee spend hours each day entering data into a computer, an RPA program will be able to do it just as well – and much more quickly. RPA systems don’t require breaks or sick leaves, and their productivity rate never drops – so, you save time and money.
2) Its Flexible and Customizable
One of the best things about RPA is that it can be customized to meet a company’s specific needs. This includes processing transactions, analyzing data, managing records and many more – depending on what tasks your employees find boring or cumbersome. Once installed, RPA systems work 24/7 without requiring supervision. They’re also capable of adapting to changes in workflow as they happen – which means less disruption for your business operations as a whole.
3) Your Data Security Is In Good Hands
RPA software programs were created with security in mind. As such, they don’t simply operate on predefined rules – rather, they learn from mistakes and develop strategies to ensure the security of your data. Of course, this also makes it very difficult for anyone to hack in and access your records.
The Cons of RPA
1) Its A Bit Pricey
RPA software is not cheap, but considering what you get in terms of productivity and results – it’s well worth the investment. Also, there are companies that offer RPA solutions on a lease basis. This allows you to pay for them month-to-month instead of all at once. However, if you do go with this option, make absolutely sure you’ve chosen a reputable company (such as Automation Anywhere or UiPath). Just like any other piece of business equipment, RPA systems need maintenance every once in a while – and you wouldn’t want to discover after the fact that your leasing company has been neglecting its duties.
2) It Might Not Be Right for Every Business
RPA has proven to be a lifesaver for many businesses, but it’s not going to work for every one of them. This is because RPA systems were primarily created with large corporations in mind. So, if you’re a small business owner who runs a modest operation out of his or her home office – RPA software might not provide enough value at this point. However, you should definitely look into options such as Microsoft Office 365, which offers cloud-based solutions for even the smallest businesses.
3) Doesn’t Solve the Problem of Human Error
RPA software programs solve the problem of repetitive tasks, but they don’t address human errors. So although an RPA system can save you countless hours on end – it won’t ensure that your employees are making correct and accurate decisions every time. This is why companies should still invest in HR (human resources) and customer experience training. After all, no matter how advanced technology becomes – it’s never going to replace the human element of doing business!
Conclusion:
RPA has certainly changed the way we think about automation. It’s given us a viable alternative to hiring more staff or spending millions on new equipment, while also speeding up our productivity rates and allowing us to focus on more pressing matters. It does come with its fair share of pros and cons, but the benefits far outweigh the downsides. If you’re looking for increased efficiency in your business – RPA might just be what you’ve been searching for all along!