The Rise of Robotic Process Automation

Key Links

• Robotic Process Automation; Pragmatic Solution or Dangerous Illusion?
• How Business Process Management is Changing to Reflect the Digital World
• Process Automation Articles on BTOES Insights
• Silicon Life Forms & Customer Service - An Interview with a Robot 

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RPA vs Standard Automation

Robotic process automation is designed to carry out tasks, processes and services in a way that is identical to a human being. The steps are carried out in exactly the same way, but through Artificial intelligence and repetitive programs, rather than human logic. In many ways, Robotic Process Automation is the 'next stage' to traditional Automation, which typically would involve IT professionals in the team running a code, requiring programming skills. 

The goal of Robotic Automated Processes is for them to be 'trained' in a step by step process, rather than through running a particular script. This means these new automated processes can be dictated and used by any Business User, rather than just the IT team.

Robotic Process Automation Examples

Infographic courtesy of AutomationEdge.com

Robotic Process Automation has a massive amount of potential in every industry - however, Financial Services, Healthcare & Insurance  are a few in which it has the potential to make the greatest impact. See below for 15 examples of how Robotic Process Automation can be utilized.

Insurance

1. Updating Client profiles
2. Generating renewal premiums
3. Processing Claims
4. Underwriting processes
5. Policy administration/servicing

Financial Services

6. Overdraft protection requests
7. Exception processing (overrides for high-value customers or low-risk transactions)
8. Statement reconciliation for clients
9. Credit card applications processing
10. Dispute resolution

Healthcare

11. Patient registration
12. Provider credential verification
13. Member eligibility and billing
14. Patient Diagnostics
15. Decision making on Prescriptions

Process Automation & Robotics in Healthcare

Autonomics and multi-agent systems in healthcare allow for the growth and development of definable, repeatable, and rule-based processes. In this sense, Robotic process automation serves as a competitive advantage, not replacing humans in the care-giving/healthcare delivery process, but enabling them to focus on more personalized treatments, and higher-level research/processes. 

Further to this is the introduction of robotics in Healthcare. A robot can be defined as any mechatronics device that is designed and functional in executing tasks which may be repetitive, unsafe, difficult or impossible for a human. Robots in healthcare may also be utilised if they are capable of executing tasks better, or more efficiently, than a human. Key focus areas for development and implementation of Robotics in the Healthcare industry include Precision Surgery, repetitive tasks such a blood sampling and heartrate monitoring, robotic assistance for those needing care, and even the development of Exoskeletons and further innovations.

Case Study Example: Robotic Process Automation and Machine Learning with IBM Watson

DOWNLOAD NOW: IBM - Improving Patient Experience through IBM Watson Automation technology: Case Study

IBM Global Business Services has created a powerful end to end robotic automation solution, leveraging Watson technology. This infusion of cognitive solutions and process automation has introduced various innovations that have created and developed on the ability to automate manual and repetitive activities, promoting quality, efficiency and productivity for enhanced patient experience outcomes. In essence, cognitive business solutions has delivered the  following:

• Utilised the power of Watson to answer end user questions and to resolve help desk queries;
• Expanded the capacity of human staff by allowing virtual, robotic engineers to do repetitive tasks, freeing up resources to focus on higher value work
• Resulted in the offer of an uninterrupted flow of automation, from cognitive query to triggering a virtual engineer to execute the work.

Case Study: IBM - Improving Customer Experience through Cognitive Watson Automation technology

Download the Groundbreaking Robotic Process Automation Case Study Now

MORE: Robotic Process Automation Resources, Examples and Case Studies

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The Process of Process Management: Strategy Execution in a Digital World Dr. Mathias Kirchmer & Peter Franz Organizations need to execute their strategy systematically and deal proactively with our “digital world”. In effect, they must know how and when to modify or enhance their business processes, which processes are best candidates for intervention, and how to move rapidly from strategy to execution. That’s where the Business Process Management-Discipline (BPM-Discipline) helps. The BPM-Discipline has become the “Strategy Execution Engine” of an organization... Access the White Paper Now

The Value Switch For Digitalization Initiatives: Business Process Management Dr. Mathias Kirchmer, Peter Franz, Alexander Lotterer, Yvonne Antonuuci & Sigifredo Laengle 08/17/2016 Results of a Global Research study of 250+ Organizations from BPM-D, Widener University & Universidad de Chile. Access the White Paper Now