How to Achieve Better ROI by Implementing RPA

In the digitalized environment of global business, it is a challenge to monetize software development and achieve ROI. The intense competition across domains makes it difficult for any software application to become a market leader and get a thumbs-up from the target audience. Hence, business enterprises are burning the proverbial midnight oil to ensure every software application coming out of their value chain meets the established or desired quality standards. This brings test automation, especially Robotic Process Automation (RPA) into the picture. As a technology, RPA can transform the way businesses function by improving the efficiency of their processes.

An RPA framework can help businesses implement test automation for a variety of processes in the SDLC, thereby reducing manual tasks, improving efficiency and productivity, and minimizing operational costs. Even statistics mention its expanding reach and impact on realizing ROI for businesses. As per Gartner, global RPA revenue is expected to touch $1.89 billion in 2021, an increase of 19.5% from the previous year. This projection is all the more impressive in the backdrop of COVID-19-induced uncertainty, where most business enterprises are limiting their technology investments.

How does RPA help businesses?

Since its inception, RPA has revolutionized the world of business by helping to automate mundane activities without much or minimal human intervention. Robotic Process Automation can help business enterprises do the following:

l Deploy human resources to manage core business activities

l Encourage employees to handle critical functions

l Minimize the chances of error

l Automating mundane activities and saving costs thereof

l Increase the efficiency and productivity of the enterprise

Benefits of implementing robotic test automation

RPA software testing can do away with the task of writing voluminous and complex test scripts in various programming languages. Instead, any RPA service provider can leverage the technology to write and execute automated test scripts without human intervention. This allows QA experts to gain actionable insights and user analytics into the processes and functioning of various software modules. The other benefits of setting up an RPA framework are:

Better productivity and efficiency: A majority of RPA robots are programmed to perform specific mundane tasks. These tasks can be performed at a fast pace 24 x 7 without any human intervention. This saves time and money by increasing the productivity and efficiency of the process and/or employee. An RPA robot can perform many routine activities that around 2 to 5 employees can perform manually. This helps to reduce the process and lead time.

Enhanced accuracy: To err is human, so goes the adage. With manual quality assurance, the quantum of errors remaining in the software application remains high. However, by leveraging an RPA service provider, the chances of detecting errors during testing increase rapidly. According to the Deloitte Global RPA Survey, approximately 85 percent of respondents stated that robotic process software testing exceeded their expectations. The benefits cited by these respondents are in terms of timeliness, accuracy, and flexibility. However, to realize its full potential, the RPA testing solutions should be checked thoroughly. Business enterprises should be careful when mapping and optimizing processes while using RPA testing services.

Enhanced security: Given that RPA operates at a granular level, the risk of data breach from one process to another is minimal or at best eliminated. Also, the technology is highly user-friendly and can be deployed in any environment.

Offers new job roles: Contrary to perception, RPA implementation allows a workforce to manage both machines and people. So, it has the potential to create more jobs rather than take them away. The best way out is to upskill or cross skill employees to adapt to the new change, take up new job roles, and learn new skills.

Better scalability: Enterprises face challenges when they want to scale their businesses to the next level. However, the lack of flexibility in processes can prevent them from embracing new functions or tasks. With RPA, business processes can adjust to any type of task and meet unpredictable or uncertain market demands.

Improved analytics: This is arguably one of the most prominent benefits of implementing RPA. Business enterprises can garner valuable insights into processes and make informed decisions. The insights can be in terms of types of errors, cycle times, exceptions, and work volume patterns, among others. Moreover, with RPA QA services, data can be differentiated into separate fields, leading to enhanced decision making processes at various levels of the SDLC. RPA allows businesses to streamline their processes and achieve optimal efficiency.

Conclusion

RPA technology can transform business processes by streamlining them and reducing the potential for errors or rework. So, before implementing RPA, identify the processes that can deliver the maximum benefits. Also, discuss with RPA testing services to understand the technology’s impact on people, policies, and procedures.

Michael works for Cigniti Technologies, which is the world's first Independent Software Testing Company to be appraised at CMMI-SVC Level 5, and an ISO 9001:2008 & ISO 27001:2013 certified organization.