Process Automation
Prozess-automatisierung
Process automation is the use of technology to automate repetitive, rule-based tasks and processes within organizations. This increases efficiency, reduces errors, and lowers costs by replacing manual labor with digital workflows, robotic process automation (RPA), or artificial intelligence (AI). It transforms processes into automated workflows to achieve goals such as faster, error-free execution and is applicable in almost all areas of a business, from HR to production.
Objectives, Use Cases and Approach
Increased efficiency, cost reduction, error reduction, and reduced workload for employees, e.g., in the areas of: Human Resources (HR) (onboarding processes, application processing), Production (assembly, packaging, quality control), Customer Service (automated responses, ticket forwarding), or Administration (data entry, invoice processing).
The typical process for implementing process automation is:
Analysis: Identification of a recurring process (e.g., invoice verification).
Modeling: Decomposition into individual steps (creating a workflow).
Automation: Assignment of the steps to digital tools (e.g., reading forms, comparing data).
Execution: The workflow starts automatically and executes all steps without human intervention.
Technologies
Process automation utilizes workflow automation, AI, machine learning, and, most importantly, the integration of multiple software applications involved in the process.
Automated workflows
Automated workflows are digital processes controlled by software to coordinate individual steps. Often, business or administrative processes are functionally mapped across multiple systems that are not uniformly connected. This leads to breaks in the process flow. Automated workflows rely on the seamless integration of all digital systems involved in the process.
Robot Process Automation(RPA)
RPA stands for software robots that can take over repetitive tasks, meaning all tasks that were previously performed manually. They are able to recognize objects within an application and trigger actions independently. This requires precise process modeling beforehand and the ability of RPA solutions to programmatically execute the modeled processes. This is achieved based on robust object recognition. Recording and playback functions are used, along with visual editors for creating test scripts without requiring in-depth programming knowledge.
The following approaches are typical for RPA solutions:
Object detection:
The core component, which can identify UI elements (buttons, fields) based on unique attributes. This ensures stability when changes are made to the user interface.
Recording & Scripting: Users can record actions or visually assemble test steps. Modules can be combined via drag-and-drop, and custom code can be written.
Repository Management: Recognized UI elements are stored in a repository, allowing for centralized management and easy updates when the application changes.
Objectives, Use Cases and Approach
Increased efficiency, cost reduction, error reduction, and reduced workload for employees, e.g., in the areas of: Human Resources (HR) (onboarding processes, application processing), Production (assembly, packaging, quality control), Customer Service (automated responses, ticket forwarding), or Administration (data entry, invoice processing).
The typical process for implementing process automation is:
Analysis: Identification of a recurring process (e.g., invoice verification).
Modeling: Decomposition into individual steps (creating a workflow).
Automation: Assignment of the steps to digital tools (e.g., reading forms, comparing data).
Execution: The workflow starts automatically and executes all steps without human intervention.
Technologies
Process automation utilizes workflow automation, AI, machine learning, and, most importantly, the integration of multiple software applications involved in the process.
Automated workflows
Automated workflows are digital processes controlled by software to coordinate individual steps. Often, business or administrative processes are functionally mapped across multiple systems that are not uniformly connected. This leads to breaks in the process flow. Automated workflows rely on the seamless integration of all digital systems involved in the process.
Robot Process Automation(RPA)
RPA stands for software robots that can take over repetitive tasks, meaning all tasks that were previously performed manually. They are able to recognize objects within an application and trigger actions independently. This requires precise process modeling beforehand and the ability of RPA solutions to programmatically execute the modeled processes. This is achieved based on robust object recognition. Recording and playback functions are used, along with visual editors for creating test scripts without requiring in-depth programming knowledge.
The following approaches are typical for RPA solutions:
Object detection:
The core component, which can identify UI elements (buttons, fields) based on unique attributes. This ensures stability when changes are made to the user interface.
Recording & Scripting: Users can record actions or visually assemble test steps. Modules can be combined via drag-and-drop, and custom code can be written.
Repository Management: Recognized UI elements are stored in a repository, allowing for centralized management and easy updates when the application changes.