As businesses integrate robotic process automation into their operations for increased efficiency and productivity, it can be tricky for them to decide which RPA tool is best. RPA tools are not one-size-fits-all, and each has unique features and abilities that suit different businesses’ needs. Below, we draw comparisons among the different types of RPA tools and software that exist so you can make the right decision for your business.
But First, a Little Background
RPA uses software – otherwise known as “bots” – to conduct work that humans traditionally perform. Repeatable tasks or manual activities that have been the realm of human work get passed off to technology with RPA. Using RPA tools to do work humans once did eliminates the risk of human error and helps businesses become more efficient and profitable. By getting more done in less time – and without human-made mistakes – companies can focus on growth with RPA in their wheelhouses.
Types of RPA Tools and What You Should Look for
Ease of Use
RPA tools should be intuitive and present digestible, understandable interfaces. If the RPA tool’s interface is complicated to learn and use, your business won’t get the most out of the software. You want a short learning curve and a user-friendly platform. Look for features such as auto-capture, image recognition, and drag and drop.
Security
In today’s era of cyber threats around every corner, businesses must look for advanced security features in their software and technology tools. RPA is no different. Bots will have access to the same data that humans do, so they need similar security controls to make sure the right data is handled by the right bots. It’s necessary to choose an RPA tool from a vendor that has implemented security measures throughout their products. Features such as full audit logs that trace robot actions can provide visibility into who has access to what. Your RPA software should store any data it processes in an encrypted database. It should also employ role-based access control, so only authorized users and bots have access to the proper resources.
Application-Agnostic
Your ideal RPA tool will be able to work across platforms. It will also be able to work across your existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions, applications, mainframes, and any other IT platforms you may have. As long as your current apps and systems have user interfaces, you’ll be able to integrate the RPA system without the need for APIs.
Licensing
Licensing has a significant impact on the product that fits your needs. Annual subscriptions versus one time purchase, server licensing versus desktop licensing, per process versus per server are just some of the items to consider. Simple and flexible licensing that doesn’t relate to the server the software is running on or processing stations being used to execute tasks should be a red flag. Licensing tied to a specific process will also incur more licenses quicker. Concurrent licensing where a concurrent license can run as many “bots” or processes at the same time where its only limitation is time itself is the best case scenario. All concerns around how many bots or processes or processing stations are eliminated with a concurrent licensing model.
What About Vendors?
You’ll likely see names such as Blue Prism, UiPath, Automation Anywhere, NICE, and more. Companies that bring RPA together with analytics and artificial intelligence have great potential. Doing this requires a software platform from a company who has the vision, resources, culture and focus to drive digital process transformation. The problem with companies like Microsoft and SAP is they view RPA as a checkoff item rather than give it a higher priority.
At All Star Software, we recommend Kofax RPA. Kofax RPA is part of a platform that includes RPA, data and document capture, process orchestration, machine learning, artificial intelligence, natural language processing and analytics. Kofax RPA enables businesses to connect applications and systems that are otherwise more difficult to sync. It creates links between smart process applications, systems of engagement, and systems of record. By providing a visually integrated development environment, Kofax RPA users can easily build data integration flows that acquire, transform, migrate, and distribute data from anywhere. This tool also enables businesses to encourage better collaboration, and they can access and integrate market data from public sources into their applications, and lower development costs.
Contact All Star Software today to explore how RPA tools can improve your business now and in the future.
