The implementation of end-to-end business processes commonly involves a large number of systems, with ERP systems such as SAP S/4HANA playing a central role. But this approach often presents challenges when the systems in question run up against the limits of automation, making it difficult to achieve the desired efficiency in processes execution. The results are all too familiar: employees have to perform time-consuming and error-prone repetitive tasks such as data collection for reporting, data transfer into and out of Microsoft Office applications, or monitoring and maintaining master data, etc. It is in this context that the software solution SAP Intelligent Robotic Process Automation (SAP Intelligent RPA) has lately raising its profile as a viable alternative. SAP Intelligent RPA offers a cost-effective way to avoid system or media discontinuity and keep processes as stable as possible. RPA is a software solution that is hosted on SAP Cloud Platform (SCP) which orchestrates interactions of a graphical user interface and manages the programming interfaces of systems. Automation is centrally orchestrated on this cloud service and from there the individual functions are then distributed to the local instances. In this way RPA assists employees with their daily business processes and where necessary it can even handle them independently. Manual processing and execution of repetitive tasks is often very error-prone. But proper implementation of automation can remedy possible processing mistakes. The Robotic Process Automation (RPA) solution can act as an extra back office assistant, offering is a cost-efficient way to avoid system or media discontinuity and ensure that processes remain as stable as possible.
With the SAP Cloud Platform the integration of SAP Intelligent RPA into existing SAP system landscapes is easy. After successful activation of the SAP Intelligent RPA service, any desired systems can be integrated. Connectors of the software solution quickly recognize the user interface of systems, including but not limited to UIs of Microsoft Office applications, web applications, and SAP GUI. Especially concerning integration with S/4, SAP offers numerous predefined automations which simplify subsequent process automation.
SAP Intelligent RPA plays an important part in the integrated and automated execution of business processes across multiple different systems. Manual repetitive tasks are ideally suited for automation. Human employees should focus on more important areas that RPA cannot yet replace. Furthermore, adequately automating repetitive tasks avoids inadvertent mistakes through manual processing and thus increases the quality of processes and throughput.
Manual processing and execution of repetitive tasks is usually prone to errors. An adequately implemented automation can remedy any possible processing mistakes. For critical processes, automation should be tested thoroughly to avoid systemic automation errors and achieve an improvement in quality.
How you benefit
Cost savings, improved quality, and time savings are among the biggest benefits of SAP Intelligent RPA. Automations based on SAP Intelligent RPA are easier, quicker, and more cost efficient to implement compared to many of the other common process automation solutions. Concrete cost savings through automation can be calculated based on time savings – time which employees would have usually needed for the manual processing of tasks.
Usually, the time that is saved with automation also translates to additional process cost savings down the line because of less processing time. Processing speed can also be increased, leading to even more benefits – for example, processes can be executed without time buffers. Savings in processing time can also help to avoid job losses through increased employee productivity.
