Business Process Automation: Everything You Need to Know about BPA
What Is Business Process Automation?
Business Process Automation (BPA) is using technology to automate complex business processes.
How Is Business Process Automation Different from Robotic Process Automation?
BPA is the broad term that encompasses all digital automation. Robotic Process Automation falls under the BPA umbrella and specifically uses metaphorical bots to complete processes, similar to a human worker. The bots’ ability to interact with pre-existing software makes it affordable and quick to implement. BPA was introduced in the marketplace first, and RPA is a more recent technology. But often BPA and RPA software work hand-in-hand, as many process automations will use elements of both BPA and RPA.
While much of the current debate about automation has focused on the potential for mass unemployment, … the world’s economy will actually need every erg of human labor working, in addition to the robots, to overcome demographic aging trends in both developed and developing economies. In other words, a surplus of human labor is much less likely to occur than a deficit of human labor, unless workflow automation is deployed widely. However, the nature of work will change. As processes are transformed by the automation of individual activities, people will perform activities that are complementary to the work that machines do (and vice versa).
Do I Need BPA or RPA?
It depends on the kind of process you need automated. While BPA encompasses the entire end-to-end process, RPA is more likely to be used for specific pieces. If your process includes sites or software that rely on specific data entry and interacting with the physical site, RPA may be the only choice. But more often, businesses end up using a combination of the two. Costs between BPA and RPA can vary greatly, with BPA generally being more expensive due to the level of skill needed for implementation. But since RoboSource uses a pay-per-month payment structure, costs for both RPA and BPA are wrapped right in.
Factors Affecting Pace and Feasibility of BPA
Technical Feasibility
Tech in the automation sector is growing rapidly, but processes still need to follow business rules, be repeatable, and have no physical steps. Cost of Development of Solutions
Many business process automation software solutions are technically advanced, requiring months of time by software engineers. This impacts the implementation costs for the automation. But some automated processes are simpler, requiring only a week or two of development time. And sometimes, the processes that seem the most complex can be automated easily. Labor Market Demands
As we live through the “Great Resignation,” labor costs continue to climb, and bots become a more cost-efficient solution. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the year ending in March 2022, wages and salaries for private industry workers increased 5%. Work Volume
Companies that run a large volume of work through established processes are more likely to be strong candidates for business process automation tools. Contact RoboSource for a Free Consultation
Think BPA may help your business? Let’s find out. Sign up for a free consultation here to learn more about how to automate business processes. Customer satisfaction is at the forefront of everything we do at RoboSource, and we’ll work with you to find a business process automation solution that works for your company’s specific needs.