People have a lot of assumptions when they think about automation along a production line, what it is, and what it means. Most people think they see conveyor belts, mass layoffs, and soulless robotic arms picking and packing away at products. Yes, this is the case in some areas of the manufacturing industry that makes use of a repetitive manufacturing process (like automotive), but, since the industrial robotics boom of the 1980s, the application of automation in manufacturing has changed dramatically. Automation is no longer a threat to employees but an important tool for any manufacturing business.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is just one of the technologies that many experts believe is influencing the 4th industrial revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, where physical and digital technologies are combining to create organizations that are interconnected and interoperable.
The fear of technological change is nothing new, and while RPA can lead to role displacement this is more than counter-balanced by the creation of new roles and the removal of remedial, boring tasks away from employees. This creates new career opportunities for people.
Robotic Process Automation doesn’t mean you have to completely change the way you operate. You need to ask yourselves some questions: What will RPA mean for your business? What processes would benefit from being automated? Where will it add value? What are your pain points?
The benefits of RPA adoption are multifaceted, and typically underestimate the non-labor benefits that come with it.
- Improved control
- Improved process speed
- Reduced processing cost
- 24-7 operational capability
- Improved process performance visibility
Research indicates a significant percentage of companies remain hesitant to move forward with adoption. Some of the challenges of RPA implementation include:
- Employee resistance to adoption
- Understanding how to combine RPA with other technologies
- Identification of the processes most suited to RPA
So, is Robotic Process Automation for you or your company? If you have ever thought “why isn’t this automated?” then Robotic Process Automation is for you – so why not embrace it? Contact us today to get started.