The convergence of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) with new-age technologies such as the Cloud has unlocked many innovative possibilities. Enterprises have to continue using legacy systems due to different strategic reasons ranging from vendor/client preferred or inherited from mergers & acquisitions or simply because the cost of migration is beyond budget. Here RPA brings all legacy systems on the same plane as ERPs and acts as the greatest leveller, with RPA-on-Cloud simply taking this technology to the next level. Though Cloud is viewed with some scepticism, the risks can be easily mitigated using forward-looking technologies available today. Let us see how this hybrid framework is relevant in a dynamic business ecosystem.
The Critical Path
A few might know that Robotic Process Automation (RPA) on Cloud is the “Critical Path” to quick deployment, fast roll-out, and a quick return on investment. Furthermore, it extends RPA usability by manifolds and across geographies. Consider a data augmentation exercise across wider geographical regions, for example, where the enterprise has its ERP system on Cloud besides an on-premise system. Here, RPA is appended to the ERP that retrieves information from various modules to augment and process data and connects with the on-premise databases only as and when required to save turn-around time.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) PaaS
Let us see an example where RPA is hosted on the Cloud as a platform. Cloud helps enterprises rationalize infrastructure by taking their brick-and-mortar operations to a highly scalable computing platform. The business can still retain its core strategic operations on-premise and take only the routine procedures and acquired systems to the Cloud if so preferred. Now consider RPA being deployed on this Cloud. RPA as PaaS provides an automated and ready framework to upload your data from where the processes are automatically executed to deliver the result. The difference between on-premise and on-cloud RPA is that the latter framework gets tremendous computing power and is executed within a fraction of the time required for on-premise RPA execution.
Benefits of Hybrid Cloud Operations using RPA
High Productivity
The framework boosts enterprise productivity and helps to conjoin RPA operations running on-premise and on-cloud. It increases the ambit of operations with a single license.
Adaptive Platform
It helps to leverage existing IT setup flexibly – acting as the greatest common denominator by seamlessly processing data across the estate.
Tremendous Scalability
It helps enterprises to systematically take their IT systems, which are acquired through mergers & acquisitions, to the Cloud in a step-by-step manner as and when feasible and automate the processes in stages.
Conspicuous Security
A bot (unit of RPA) performs only what it has been told. The enterprise has the sole authority to define the rights; hence, the bot (also a user that follows user-based security monitoring) tows the given trajectory minus human errors. Furthermore, the bot is hardly accessible from outside the cloud environment. The framework provides tighter security than the usual business models with complete encryption, multi-factor authentication, limited admin access, firewalls, and instant updates.
High Availability
Cloud operations offer seamless business continuity, and RPA on the Cloud ensures 24×7 unhindered operations without human intervention. The on-premise portion can be simultaneously backed-up on the Cloud to ensure seamless continuity.
Augmentation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities
RPA bots can be upgraded using AI for deciphering multi-lingual unstructured text from various sources. Using Machine Learning, the bots can be put in a constant learning mode that helps them make smarter decisions and increase efficiency. Vast amounts of enterprise data migrated to the Cloud provide a potential opportunity for enhanced learning.
Anytime Anywhere Accessibility
The functionality and performance of the bot can be monitored by authorized users (only) around the clock from anywhere with the help of hand-held devices, thus offering greater agility and enhanced mobility.
In-built future-proofing
The RPA PaaS framework ensures continuous technology upgradation with very few administrative activities in a pay-as-you-use model.
The potential for a Hybrid Cloud-RPA Model
Many enterprises are slow to adopt new technologies due to inherent constraints in a dynamic business world constantly in flux. RPA PaaS lowers the barrier to adopting RPA. The enterprise can do a few pilots on the Cloud before conducting a full-fledged RPA PaaS-based implementation across functions. Here pre-built frameworks help enterprises gain a head-start in robotics. Embracing this hybrid digital disruptor helps to gain a competitive edge and increase productivity and performance even while functioning with legacy IT estate.
The Hybrid Cloud RPA allows enterprises to migrate to cloud automation sensibly and systematically at their own pace and at a low cost while creating a solid yet supple IT infrastructure. It also helps them to innovate and transform on a frugal budget despite being predominantly operational on legacy systems, which cannot be sunset and consume high amounts of IT funding for their maintenance.
In short, “Stay technologically relevant with Hybrid Cloud Operations using RPA – the greatest leveller – in hyper-converging business landscapes”.
The framework provides high storage, excellent computing power, seamless internet automation in a single package, and predictable subscription costs.
At the same time, it helps to mobilize resources, reduce expenses, reduce capital expenditure, and increase IT performance. Simply put, the framework offers high productivity, availability, scalability, and remarkable security that helps enterprises build solid and resilient IT estates accessible across geographies.