TL;DR: Robotic process automation (RPA) uses software bots to automate repetitive, rule-based digital tasks, helping businesses improve efficiency and accuracy. When combined with operational data, RPA can automate end-to-end workflows across both business and industrial systems.
- Automates repetitive tasks such as data entry, invoice processing, reporting, and employee onboarding.
- Works by following predefined rules to complete actions across multiple software applications.
- Delivers greater value when integrated with operational data from PLCs, SCADA systems, databases, and other industrial systems.
- Commonly used in manufacturing, healthcare, finance, retail, ecommerce, and human resources.
- Unlike AI, RPA follows fixed rules rather than learning from data or making autonomous decisions.
With constant demands, businesses always need clever ways to boost efficiency that don’t require a complete systems overhaul.
Robotic process automation (RPA) supports this effort by automating repetitive, rule-based tasks. Organizations rely on it to reduce manual work, improve accuracy, and free employees up to focus on higher-value activities.
Learn what robotic process automation is, and the common robotic process automation use cases across industries.
What Is Robotic Process Automation (RPA)?
If you’ve ever wondered what robotic process automation is, it’s the technology designed to work seamlessly with existing business applications while automating routine digital workflows. It’s why it’s a significant investment in digital transformation initiatives.
The robots work entirely within software, and they can do various repetitive tasks such as:
- log into applications,
- copy and transfer data,
- generate reports,
- process transactions,
However, the users need to set the predefined rules. Without them, the bots will be unable to perform specific actions whenever certain conditions or triggers are met.
How Does Robotic Process Automation Work?
Robotic process automation technology follows structured workflows.
A typical RPA workflow starts by capturing information from a digital source, such as an email, database, document, or business application. The bot then follows predefined rules to complete the required actions across connected systems before generating reports, sending notifications, or updating records automatically.
RPA can also connect with operational systems. Production data collected from PLCs, SCADA systems, historians, or databases can be integrated into business workflows, allowing automation to span both operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT). This creates opportunities for automated reporting, maintenance notifications, inventory updates, and other cross-functional processes.
What Tasks Are Best Suited for RPA?
The greatest benefits of robotic process automation come from automating repetitive, high-volume tasks. To give you an idea, here are some robotic process automations use cases:
- Invoice and purchase order processing
- Data entry between systems
- Employee onboarding
- Payroll administration
- Customer service ticket routing
- Compliance reporting
- Report generation
Let’s take invoice processing as a robotic process automation example. An RPA bot can automatically complete processes such as validating purchase information and performing data entry.
It doesn’t stop there. When you combine operational data with RPA, your company can automate entire end-to-end workflows rather than individual tasks. For example, if a production machine reports a fault or exceeds a temperature threshold, data from your industrial systems can automatically trigger a maintenance work order, notify the appropriate team, update the maintenance management system, and generate a report. No one has to lift a finger.
Which Industries Benefit Most from RPA?
Every industry has repetitive digital processes that can benefit from RPA. However, we’re seeing adoption in sectors that handle large volumes of transactions and data, such as:
Manufacturing: RPA can automate production reporting, inventory updates, quality documentation, and maintenance workflows.
Healthcare: RPA can help organizations streamline patient registration, appointment scheduling, billing, and claims processing.
Financial services: RPA automates invoice processing, account reconciliation, regulatory reporting, and customer onboarding to improve speed and accuracy.
Retail and ecommerce: Businesses can use RPA to manage orders, synchronize inventory, process returns, and automate customer communications.
Human resources: RPA helps teams automate employee onboarding, payroll administration, benefits management, and document processing.
Streamline Repetitive Workflows with Smarter Automation
Robotic process automation speeds up routine business processes and minimizes disruption. While these alone make it a valuable initiative for any business, its value doubles significantly when you give office applications access to real-time operational data.
By connecting industrial equipment, databases, SCADA systems, PLCs, and business applications, platforms like Open Automation Software help organizations build more connected automation workflows. When reliable data flows seamlessly across systems, RPA can automate not only administrative tasks but also operational processes that improve visibility and decision-making.
Ready to streamline your automation strategy? Start a free trial of Open Automation Software to see how connected data can power smarter, end-to-end automation across your organization.
Robotic Process Automation FAQs
Can RPA reduce operational costs?
Yes. RPA helps employees save time on manual tasks, reduces data entry errors, and speeds up various operational processes. All these benefits decrease operational costs over time.
What processes should you avoid automating with RPA?
RPA works best for structured, predictable processes. On the other hand, any activity that calls for human judgment, creativity, frequent decision-making, and changing workflows shouldn’t be automated.
Is RPA the same as AI?
No. RPA requires predefined rules to automate repetitive tasks. Artificial Intelligence (AI), on the other hand, analyzes data, recognizes patterns, and makes predictions.
Download a Fully Functional 30-Day Trial of the Open Automation Software Platform
"*" indicates required fields