Robotic Process Automation has created a great deal of buzz in and around the technology space. The main aim of RPA is to let the bot do the tasks which are easy, repetitive and documented such that going with the rules even a bot able to complete the task.
Before developing any such software and robot, selecting the proper RPA tool is a crucial thing in the automation journey. It can directly impact the outcome of an RPA implementation.
Even before Robotic Process Automation came into the picture, enterprises were using automation tools for processing tasks with simple hacks, excel automation, and macros. They were not scalable or reliable still they increased the productivity of employees.
In our last blog, we have already discussed RPA benefits and how the enterprise can use it to their best, here in this blog we will talk about top RPA tools and their core functionalities.
Shortcuts:
- Category of RPA Tools
- Core Features and Functionalities of RPA Tools
- RPA Tools Comparison – Top Tools In 2023
- A Complete Checklist for Selecting RPA Tools
- Final Words
- FAQ’s
Category of RPA Tools
Built as the extension of the past generations of bots, here are 3 main categories of RPA tools on the market.
- Programmable RPA bots: Programmers need to understand and code a set of inputs governing how the RPA bot will interact with other systems. It was the first generation of RPA tools.
- Self-learning solutions: These tools witnessed hours of human employee activity, understood the process and then took over the platform and started performing the same task.
- Cognitive/intelligent automation bots: Cognitive automation bots are augment self-learning bots with advanced functionalities (like Natural Language Processing, image recognition, and machine learning) which can learn and deal with both structured and unstructured data.
RPA Tool Categories - Description
Programmable RPA bots - Communicate with other systems depending on the user inputs or requirements of clients
Self learning RPA tools - Optimize human actions & perform the same on different platforms
Cognitive automation bots - Similar to self-learning bots that manage unstructured data & make decisions depending on unstructured & complex inputs
Core Features and Functionalities of RPA Tools
An RPA tool can effectively make business functions highly efficient. As businesses adopt RPA solutions to be more competitive, it’s easy to get lost in the large pool of RPA features & functionalities offered by the providers. Any RPA tool that you select must have the following features:
Rich Analysis: The rich analytical features helps to address the performance of the workforce without integrations
Robust encryption & security features: The encryption capabilities of RPA help in smooth operations & keeping data secure
Version Control: It enables storage of every bot version to identify & determine the basic differences between multiple bot versions in the certain processes
Hosting & deployment option: This feature reduces issues related to central server synchronization & runtime updates
Script Less Automation: With this feature, RPA developers can easily create tools by using the drag & drop interface.
Let’s check the market presence of the RPA tools and their current offerings
The graphical representation is according to the Forrester Wave report: Robotic Process Automation, Q2 2018.
RPA Tools Comparison – Top Tools In 2023
It’s tough to focus on 2023’s top RPA tools comparison as there are many appreciated RPA vendors providing their own tools to automate a range of business processes with ease. However, here we are discussing the top 5 RPA tools which will help you to streamline the selection steps.
1. Kofax Kapow
Kofax Inc. is a process automation software provider based in Irvine, California. They offer process management, RPA, e-signature, mobility and customer communication services to multiple customers in 70 countries worldwide.
Kofax Kapow is the most efficient way to acquire, enhance and deliver information from any application and data source or enterprise system without coding. It supports all types of application environments and data sources, including websites, portals, enterprise systems, and legacy applications, Excel, Email, XML, JSON, CSV, and SQL. It can automatically publish robots with standard Java, .NET, SOAP, RESTful interface which is used to control robotic processes from external applications and remote systems.
2. Blue Prism
Blue Prism group is a multinational software organization based in the UK. They pioneered RPA to reduce the high risk and low return processing work and data entry job manually.
The technology used is based on Microsoft.net framework and it supports any type of platform and applications. It allows the design automation process that too within IT governance. The tool supports the internal and external decryption and encryption keys. The users are provided with audit logs enabling. The customized code of .NET provides a high rate of robustness.
3. UiPath
UiPath is a global software company based in New York City. With the help of UiPath tool, it is easy to manage automated business processes and the virtual workforce.
It is based on an on-premise and cloud deployment method which makes it capable to deploy and manage all things in one particular place. The main advantage of UiPath is that it offers desktop contribution and Citrix environment which is good for BPO automation. It is based on Microsoft SharePoint workflow, Kibana elastic search.
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4. Automation Anywhere
Automation Anywhere is based in California, US. It caters to businesses looking to deploy a digital workforce composed of bots which can offer complete end-to-end business processes. Be it cloud, datacenter or desktop, automation anywhere can be deployed in any environment. It can protect all the architectures and control the processing. Microsoft is its base technology.
5. NICE
Neptune Intelligence Computer Engineering which is commonly known as NICE is a publicly traded software company based in Israel. It enables enterprises to operationalize Big Data. It delivers both desktop and server automation, so employees can focus on productivity. It can also automate cross-application processes by combining with any third-party or home system, including CRM, billing, MS Office, virtualization, and networking.
A Complete Checklist For Selecting RPA Tools
The selection of the RPA tool is a crucial decision for businesses as it has a huge impact on the effectiveness & efficiency of automation. The below checklist will help businesses consider key factors and make the proper decision while determining the RPA implementation.
1. Process & system compatibility:
In order to enhance efficiency, it’s important to choose RPA solutions compatible with the existing business process or system operations. This mainly includes operating system compatibility & integration with existing databases and software.
2. Technology features:
There must be some technical highlights that businesses need to look for such as adaptability, re-usability, base technology, etc. Since RPA tools manage private data & information, businesses should verify all security features & functionalities of the tools. Otherwise, systems may become highly vulnerable to privacy issues & malicious attacks.
3. Scalability:
Scalability is one of the crucial aspects that help to determine how an RPA tool responds to business requirements easily. Businesses also check expanded accessibility in the tools. An RPA tool must be able to integrate with the latest technologies easily.
4. Customizability & flexibility:
An RPA tool with high customizability & flexibility helps to meet all your business needs & goals. So, as a business owner, you should choose a tool that enables you to make changes & quickly updates the process of automation as needed.
5. Ownership Cost:
The total ownership cost is an essential aspect that must be considered before selecting RPA tools. This is because the cost of ownership depends on different factors like respective license fees, implementation costs, vendor fees, maintenance, etc. Evaluating the RPA tool cost with the business’s roadmap is necessary to achieve long-term success.
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Final Words
Each RPA tool comes with unique features to support business automation. All have great potential and allow large-scale bot deployment where the user can easily schedule a robot to run at a different time.
However, before you choose any of the above-mentioned tools, you have to thoroughly scrutinize which will be best suited for your business automation. You will need an appropriate roadmap to RPA.
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FAQ’s
What is RPA tools comparison?
RPA tools stand for Robotic Process Automation tools that are extensively used to configure task automation. These tools use intelligent technologies to automate repetitive tasks. The best Robotic Process Automation Tools in 2023 are:
- Kofax Kapow
- Blue Prism
- UiPath
- Automation Anywhere
- NICE
What are the three main RPA tools?
There are several RPA tools available in the market. However, based on user-friendliness, reliability, and operational scalability, three leading RPA tools in 2023 include:
- UiPath
- Blue Prism
- Automation Anywhere
Now let us take a brief look at how automating emails would help you simplify the processes.
Secondly, it deletes all the redundant emails from the respected servers and minimizes the error associated with manual work.
And last but not the least it helps you to organize, download and archive emails according to the category they belong to.
The system would be set so as to intercept the requests, divide them according to category and do the necessary action automatically!
A lot of customers would send emails to seek details about their order, refund status and shipment, and delivery information.
Automation would be just perfect to match the order to the information and answer the respective customer.
Take a look at top 11 use cases of Robotic process automation in Telecom industry , how rpa helps in telecom industry , benefits and 5 steps to implement rpa in telecommunications .RPA adoption in telecom is a great approach to overcome many of these challenges and issues hindering the growth of telecom companies.
The flexibility and ease of implementation of the RPA technology allow a wide range of operations to be automated for telecom providers.
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