Can Small Businesses use Robotic Process Automation?
It’s a common thinking that Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is for large companies with complex operations. So, can small businesses use RPA? The answer is YES!
RPA technology has progressed significantly and there are now more diverse players in the field offering a variety of RPA solutions. The good news is there are now vendors catering their solutions to small business at an economical pricing.
When you do a cost benefit analysis, you would be able to see the savings increase exponentially as you increase your usage areas (RPA works on the process 24/7 accurately and efficiently). The best benefit of RPA for small businesses is that it frees up precious resources to do higher value work. Such a great relief for a small over-stretched team!
Here’s 5 steps on how you can use RPA effectively.
1. Understand your business requirements
Write down what you would like to automate. Separate your needs to wants so that you can scope what is your “must-have” and “good to have”.
2. Optimise your operating model
Reassess your current operating model to ensure your processes, controls are efficient and effective. This step is necessary as you won’t want to automate a suboptimal process and “carry-on” the old pain.
3. Select a suitable RPA solution
Create a budget for your RPA and start shopping for a suitable RPA solution! The decision process should take into consideration your business requirements, operating model, pricing structure of the RPA software and implementation costs.
4. Implementing your RPA
This would involve creating your processes into automation steps. Some RPA solution required a heavier touch on technical programming skills and you would need to use professional resources from the RPA vendor or hire programmers to work on it.
5. Go live and start using RPA
Now you have a software robot working for you! Hurray! Going live is certainly a big relief and a great help on hand, you still have to make provision for future process change and maintenance.
The above steps might sound simple but they are not at all light tasks. Without sufficient experience and proven methodologies/tool kits it can turn into a nightmare failed project. To avoid this risk, please drop us a note at info@bioquestsg.com
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