How Does Robotic Process Automation Differ From Intelligent Automation?

Businesses revolve around technological advancements to improve efficiency, increase productivity, enhance customer satisfaction, and increase revenue.

Tools and technologies such as RPA, Intelligent Automation, Hyperautomation, and others assist businesses in streamlining tasks, mitigating errors, minimizing human intervention, and saving cost and time.

Amidst these, RPA and Intelligent Automation are two prominent technologies that proactively help businesses leverage automation capabilities.

This blog walks you through the difference between RPA and Intelligent automation and more.

Understanding Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Robotic process automation, or RPA, uses software/bots to automate monotonous business tasks by enabling enterprises to focus on higher-value activities.

RPA automates tasks such as:

1. Invoice processing

2. Data entry in Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

3. Software testing

4. Dispatch and reporting

5. Onboarding new employees

6. IT service desk tasks

7. Report generation

8. Appointment scheduling

Gartner defines RPA as “a productivity tool that allows a user to configure one or more scripts (which some vendors refer to as “bots”) to activate specific keystrokes in an automated fashion.”

Robots are highly efficient and faster than humans. They are employed to carry out business operations that are time-consuming and repetitive. Humans performing the same tasks can take time to process the document, complete the tasks, and even commit human errors.

For a successful automation with RPA, a clear set of rules and structured data are significant. Adhering to the rules ensures that RPA runs seamlessly. Whenever the set of defined rules breaks, it may require human intervention, and this is where Intelligent Automation comes into play as it streamlines the entire automation process.

Understanding Intelligent Automation (IA)

Intelligent Automation (IA) is a technology that combines robotic process automation (RPA) and artificial intelligence (AI) to enable rapid end-to-end business process automation and boost digital transformation.

It helps to overcome the shortcomings of RPA in achieving end-to-end digital transformation for a business. IA uses the following technologies to streamline business processes and operate intelligently:

1. Machine learning (ML) - to help identify patterns in large volumes of data

2. Natural Language Processing (NLP) - to communicate with humans through a conversational interface

3. Intelligent Document Processing (includes Optical Character Recognition (OCR) or data classification) - to convert scanned documents or photos into text

4. Conversational and Generative AI - to simulate human intelligence

Performing complex tasks and handling unstructured data inputs makes Intelligent automation better than RPA. By incorporating AI technology into an automation solution, IA can generate a range of inputs and outputs without human intervention and seamlessly fill gaps or handle exceptions.

How does Robotic Process Automation differ from Intelligent Automation?

RPA is widely used to automate repetitive tasks with predictable patterns and outcomes. These monotonous tasks can be done quickly and accurately, without human errors, leveraging RPA capabilities.

Data entry and invoice processing are examples where enterprises can utilize RPA to automate tasks and produce exceptional results.

On the contrary, Intelligent Automation is superior to RPA as it relies on advanced tech-based tools to perform high-functioning tasks. It operates by harnessing and integrating cognitive technologies with RPA and has the potential to redefine and digitally transform enterprises.

IA seamlessly integrates people with technology and processes across systems, enabling enterprises to perform tasks such as document processing efficiently and replacing human interventions completely.

Conclusion

Automation is more than a buzzword in this digital age and has become an imperative measure of operating organizations and supporting people.

Businesses implement AI, IA, RPA, ML, and NLP to streamline operations and increase productivity. For enterprises that are already committed to the automation of business operations, iOPEX has developed a workflow assistance system that includes specialized automation packages for different functionalities. Take your Ad Operations, HR, Finance, Supply Chain, and IT processes to the next level with our custom-made solutions.