Robotic Process Automation is slowly, but steadily changing the automation industry dynamics. Does it really have an edge over Traditional Automation?

1. Automation And Robotic Process Automation (RPA): The
Difference
In the wake of technological advancement and Industry 4.0,
automation, as a cornerstone, has revolutionized how most
businesses function. But, when we ruminate about traditional
automation capabilities, we realize Robotic Process Automation
(RPA) surpasses it in many ways.
The global robotic process automation (RPA) market is projected
at over 13 billion U.S. dollars by 2030. Traditional automation can
be perceived as the sturdy foundation of the Automation landscape,
and RPA is the next-level player navigating the realms of the user
interface and APIs while mimicking human interactions. Does RPA
have its limitations? Will it substitute Traditional automation
technology in the long run? We delve into this engaging world of
massive potential and objectively point out how these two differ
fundamentally and how businesses leverage both for enhanced
efficiency and revenue growth.

2. Traditional automation vs Robotic Process automation
Traditional automation performs backend tasks of user applications
and executes device integration at an infrastructural level. It
combines pre-defined instructions and programming and APIs to
integrate with different systems to execute repeated tasks and
requires exceptional coding and programming skills and knowledge
of the target system.
Robotic Process Automation
RPA mimics human interaction with the system and operates on the
user interface, thereby mitigating the need for deep knowledge of
programming and coding skills. This technology retrieves data
between applications and completes complex tasks effortlessly using
AI and ML. Leveraging bots on the superficial layer of systems
relieves users from diving deep into technological nuances or
programming hassles.
The key technical difference between Automation and
RPA
While both automation technologies drive the efficiency of business
processes, many differences propel RPA to be the best choice for
enterprises.
1. Essentially, to use traditional automation, businesses need
professionals who are technically sound and adept at
working with the target systems. They execute instructions

3. on the API level that interact with the backend system to
carry out repetitive tasks. On the other hand, RPA, with its
ability to operate on the user interface, consists of easy-to-
understand flowcharts and can be used by non-technical
resources.
2. Traditional automation entails radical modification to the
IT structure, as we are referring to integrations amidst
systems, and such implementations are time-consuming.
RPA leverages graphical user interfaces and simple
integration with the ability to retrieve relevant information
seamlessly.
3. Pre-defined programs in traditional automation cannot be
easily upgraded to produce different outputs. In short,
customization is a task that entails massive effort and is
highly complex, posed by API limitations. RPA, on the
other hand, offers peak levels of customization by
harnessing the power of bot functions with easy integration
with the ERP or CRM systems. For the same reason, RPA is
more scalable when compared to Traditional Automation.
4. Since traditional automation functions involve human
intervention during the coding process, it is prone to errors
or aberration. RPA and its set of software bots handle all
tasks efficiently and with precision.
5. Enterprises need less investment to implement traditional
automation software initially when compared to RPA
implementation. But with time, if the business needs

4. changes or customizations, the former incurs more
investment than the latter. Investing in RPA tools is cost-
effective in the long run.
6. Traditional Automation needs more CPU space as it relies
on heavy coding residing on the integration level. RPA
involves lightweight software bots that carry out the
designated tasks in a virtual space, mitigating the need for a
large processing room and infrastructure.
RPA is the clear winner if we consider the above factors,
but does it have any limitations in its offerings?
As with every technologically advanced tool, RPA poses its
challenges:
Security concerns
RPA deals with sensitive information like personally identifiable
information, which is a deterrent if security glitches happen by
mistake. A high level of encryption while moving data and ISO 27701
certification are viable solutions to mitigate security concerns.
Limitations
Craig le Clair, a Forrester author, claimed that RPAs work best while
executing simple tasks. When we say simple, we imply dealing with
tasks requiring five or fewer decisions, juggling between five or
fewer applications, and involving less than or equal to 500 clicks.

5. Scalability
Since RPA works on the user interface level, any major changes in
the API structure can break the bot and yield an incorrect output.
How does Traditional Automation make itself relevant
today and in the future?
Just as virtual interactions between human beings cannot
completely replace in-person meetings, RPA cannot fully substitute
Traditional Automation. Let us probe into possibilities as simple as
what if the backend technology breaks? Traditional automation
finds its relevance in large-scale data transfers, and complex
decision-making owing to its deep system integration. Remember
the limitation of RPA with the rule of five? Traditional Automation
has a superlative capacity to analyze and decipher data to make
complex decisions compared to RPA. For more technical activities
like application integration, system synchronization, and database
updates, Traditional Automation is again an indomitable force.
RPA’s business applications
RPA is used extensively in accounting, financial services, healthcare,
human resources, and customer service industries for automating
processes and payments, document retrieval and verification, billing
or monitoring inventory.

6. Wrapping it up
There is always room for more technological advancements, and AI,
at the forefront of innovations, is consistently outperforming
software technologies from yesteryears. As automation technology
paved the path for RPA, a new technology would be waiting around
the corner, to further alter the automation dynamics. Being
cognizant of these would help you leverage the transformative power
of further advancement in the future. For now, as a decision-maker
of an enterprise, you would be the best resource to understand the
organization’s critical needs for growth. Having said that, the
success of any new implementation revolves around many factors:
Did it help enhance productivity? Was it scalable and user-friendly?
Were users able to seamlessly adopt it to deliver their KRAs without
extensive training time or resources? RPA seems to score high
considering all these factors, and transitioning into this thriving
technology has beckoned positive outcomes across industries. It
would only be wise to take charge of your business while capitalizing
on this Automation wave.
AUTHOURS BIO:
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