A quick definition

RPA allows software robots to carry out tasks on a computer just like a human would.

The best way to visualize RPA would be to think of someone working on the computer and doing their daily work by clicking through computer screens, sending emails, and so on. Now, what if the computer clicks through, enters the required data, and performs the same work automatically? That is what RPA helps us do.

Here is an example of what RPA can do for you.

Let's say you are responsible for processing invoices in an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). You would log in to your ERP, go to a specific screen, and enter the invoice details one by one. Now, if you'd like to automate this task with RPA, you would configure these task sequences to create a "bot." Once this bot has been deployed, it would carry out the same tasks automatically – it would log in automatically and carry out the tasks without you having to do this repetitive work!

RPA doesn't just automate ERP transactions. As we will see later, throughout our projects, there are many business areas where RPA comes in handy and automates business and IT processes. This results in some great benefits to businesses. Let's have a look at a few of them.