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One of the chief benefits of digitization is where it meets robotics in the form of robotic process automation. RPA, also known as software robotics, has the potential to transform daily and ongoing business processes by using automation technologies to mimic back-office tasks of human workers. The robots are pieces of software code that allow you to replicate everyday data management tasks and beyond.
RPA combines application programming interfaces (APIs) and user interface (UI) interactions to streamline processes, uncover efficiencies and provide insights, making the path to digital transformation fast and cost-effective. Even better, unlike many transformative information technology propositions, it doesn’t necessarily mean a huge IT project that shuts everything down for days or weeks, because it leverages existing systems to minimize disruption. And sophisticated RPA vendors are now providing on-demand SaaS RPA robots you can access through a browser, as and when you need them.
This article takes an in-depth look at the many ways RPA can build on what you’ve already achieved with your supply chain. These include the ability to better leverage data for planning and forecasting; to simplify how, where, and when you procure goods; to follow the movement of inventory in, out, and across your warehouse; and to ensure your logistics are in fact logical— not to mention streamlined and trackable.
Like many innovative business technologies, RPA allows not only the speeding and streamlining of existing processes; it can prompt new ones. While it has been popular in the order management and freight areas, of late there’s growing adoption in the overall product lifecycle management process, including marketing and POS data analysis. The human benefits, also, go beyond simply relieving staff of repetitive, dull tasks, or even giving them more empowered, decision-making roles. RFA also helps relationships between departments, and with external business partners.