Automation holds great promise for enterprises that rely on rapid, effcient processes to drive effciency and deliver better experiences to business users and end customers.

There are many entry points, from standalone software solutions to sophisticated business process management systems and full outsourcing. Each has its own advantages and drawbacks.

One technology receiving a lot of attention is robotic process automation (RPA). RPA can be thought of as a gateway — a way to introduce automation and gain business beneft at low cost and with near-zero risk. The concept is simple: a software “robot” replicates routine human-computer interactions, automating what would otherwise be tedious, repetitive tasks. RPA thus bridges the gap between manual interaction and full automation.