{"id":10302,"date":"2017-10-17T15:21:00","date_gmt":"2017-10-17T19:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=10302"},"modified":"2023-07-25T11:34:26","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T15:34:26","slug":"the-basics-of-robotic-process-automation-rpa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/the-basics-of-robotic-process-automation-rpa\/","title":{"rendered":"The basics of Robotic Process Automation (RPA)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFree guides and webcasts<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe basics of Robotic Process Automation (RPA)\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\tBrian Terrell<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cOur robots are signing up for online learning. After decades of attempts to program robots to perform complex tasks like flying helicopters or surgical suturing, the new approach is based on observing and recording the motions of human experts as they perform these feats.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\nKen Goldberg, American inventor and researcher in robotics and automation<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Every organization has its share of rather mundane, regular data entry tasks that \u2013 however ordinary \u2013 are vital to the overall business success. Consider chores like monthly general ledger allocations or payable distributions. They must be done, and they must be done correctly, but they are typically done the same way every time. Rote data entry tasks like these are ideal candidates for automation \u2013 Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to be precise. In this post, our first in a series, we take a high level look at what RPA is, and how it might fit in your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is RPA?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Think of RPA as a combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and software automation. Essentially, it allows businesses to configure computer software to collect and extract knowledge, recognize patterns, and learn, adapt and respond to new situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RPA is different from a standard computer program, one that behaves in a static, predictably linear fashion. RPA is dynamic – it looks for patterns and makes predictions. RPA can be configured to \u201cobserve\u201d the way a trained user performs a particular task and the various decision points involved in accomplishing that task, and to replicate the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How could RPA fit into my business operations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Back-office tasks like the accounts payable distributions we mention above are natural candidates for RPA. By trusting these tasks over to RPA, you reduce costs, data entry errors, and promote efficiency from the bottom up. And it\u2019s happening now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\u00a0Vancouver-based startup company\u00a0that makes a free cloud-based accounting application has introduced what it calls MagicBot into its product. MagicBot is trained to review bills, receipts and other documents saved in a Dropbox folder, and create accounting transactions from those files. Another\u00a0New Zealand based software publisher\u00a0recently introduced a similar application to categorize invoices based on what it\u2019s \u201clearned\u201d about the way a business operates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The robots are coming<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the media has fed our apprehension about Artificial Intelligence gone rogue (think The Matrix, Interstellar, Ex Machina or Westworld), consider Robotic Process Automation as AI\u2019s friendly, non-intimidating cousin. A technology cousin that delivers more value with less investment. Technology that allows you to focus your employees\u2019 efforts on growing value, not processing transactions. And that\u2019s just smart. Contact us<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This content was originally posted here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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