Implementing RPA is a step that can significantly change the way companies handle their operations, especially those that are routine, repetitive and time-consuming. However, once the decision is made to implement RPA, companies are faced with choosing the right tools to implement this technology. There are many solutions available on the market, with different functionalities, features and prices. Choosing the right RPA tool is a key aspect of the success of a process automation project. Whether the choice of technology is made internally, using corporate standards or relying on a partner responsible for implementing the solution – it is worthwhile to become familiar with the most popular tools.
Automation Anywhere
Automation Anywhere (Automation 360) is one of the leading cloud-based RPA tools on the market. In 2023, it was included in the Forbes Cloud 100 list, a ranking of the best companies operating in the cloud area. The platform allows for integration with many types of ERP, CRM and E-commerce systems, while offering rich options for monitoring and analyzing automation results.
As the creators themselves admit, they are fascinated by artificial intelligence and machine learning, which is why they seek to implement these technologies into every level of their organization. Also their Automation Success Platform is equipped with many AI-based features. This part of the software is constantly developed as there is clearly a noticeable demand for intelligent process automation. In the Automation Now & Next report from August 2023, 18% of respondents declared that the budget for investments in this area would be increased, and 88% stated that AI is the key to successful automation (the survey included 1,000 decision-makers from large enterprises of various industries).
Automation Anywhere is used by many large enterprises for which IT security issues are crucial, including in particular the protection of sensitive data and safeguarding bots from information leakage, which is why this software meets the most important HITRUST, ISO 22301 and GDPR standards.
Implementing bots from AA is not easy since it requires some technical knowledge due to the fact that the solution is based on scripts, and you need Java and an appropriate database, among other things, to install the software. Unfortunately, bots consume a lot of resources when you run them on a machine, which affects maintenance costs. Also, the price for licenses of this software is relatively high, which means that process automation can cost even several hundred thousand zlotys per year. However, some customers, especially large organizations find it worthwhile to invest in a reliable and comprehensive solution, which is why AA has a very wide and active community that shares its knowledge. This, in turn, makes it easier to get support, and there are many ready-made solutions available online.
Power Automate
Power Automate is a solution supporting business process automation provided by Microsoft. Its architecture is integrated with other Microsoft products, making it easier to use data and applications across the company. What is important is that it is part of the Power Platform – perfectly cooperating systems combining tools for data visualization, creating workflows, designing applications and building intelligent chatbots. As described in the “The Total Economic Impact™ of Microsoft Power Platform Premium Capabilities” study, companies using this platform achieved a 140% return on investment in the first three years, while reducing development by 45%. However, this tool can be less flexible, especially when it comes to custom integrations.
A significant advantage of Power Automate is the mobile application that works on Android and iOS. It provides many key features, including launching and monitoring flows, and even editing them.
Flows made in Power Automate are stored in Microsoft Dataverse, ensuring data security. The developers of the tool pay great attention to the protection of sensitive data, which is why they even used functions for removing confidential information from process recordings.
The community of this solution is certainly less organized than Automation Anywhere, but Microsoft definitely makes up for it with the high availability of training and documentation. This is important because from a business perspective, the solution architecture is not easy to understand. The licensing itself is not obvious and quite difficult to predict at the beginning of building the architecture and when you want to scale automation and add further robots. However, it is one of the cheaper RPA tools, with a significant market share.
SAP Build Process Automation
The introduction of SAP Build Process Automation (formerly known as SAP Intelligent Process Automation, SAP IRPA) was a natural step in SAP’s strategy to expand its competencies in the areas of machine learning and artificial intelligence, encouraging customers to transform themselves into “smart enterprises”. The tool works perfectly with all SAP modules, whether they are cloud versions or those installed on customers’ servers (on-premise). The software is intended not only to support users in daily processes, but also organizations in strategic initiatives, such as migrating to SAP S/4HANA.
Since SAP BPA has a significantly upgraded https://www.all-for-one.pl/en/offer/sap-s4hana/user interface, no technical knowledge is required to prepare a bot, and further software development is designed according to the low-code/no-code principle.
In addition, SAP provides bot templates for SAP S/4HANA and ECC.
The tool was recognized in The Gartner South Africa Magic Quadrant report as visionary software relying on innovations such as implementing artificial intelligence in bot decision-making or reading unstructured documents. Gartner notes that SAP has a phenomenal ecosystem and a large customer base worldwide. Analysts also praise SAP’s pricing model and sales strategy.
RunBotics
RunBotics is a cloud-based RPA software that automates and simplifies workflows for businesses. The creators of this solution break away from the pattern of tools of this type that have commercial licenses, which is why RB is available under an open-source license. This makes the use of RunBotics completely free, which is a cost-effective alternative for all types of companies.
This software is quite new on the market, but it easily supports integration with major applications from the Microsoft group, Atlassian, SAP or BeeOffice. However, its advantage is the ability to fully customize the tool to meet current and individual customer needs.
In addition, a huge advantage is the unlimited scalability, while in commercial solutions you are bound by contract or have to extend it, incurring additional, considerable costs. Here, once again, you tailor resources to your needs.
Since RunBotics is a relatively new RPA software, it does not yet have as many features as the largest players on the market. Also, it doesn’t have as much support and a big community. However, the developers of RunBotics are constantly adapting and developing their software, thus convincing more companies to choose it.
What to choose?
Choosing an RPA tool is not an easy task and it is impossible to answer directly which one is the best. Although all of them are used to automate processes, the differences in functions, scope of operation and licensing are significant. It is best to choose software depending on the individual needs of the company.
SAP BPA will do a good job where SAP will be the main component, Power Automate – when you will automate applications from the Microsoft ecosystem, while Automation Anywhere is a great, versatile and comprehensive tool, but quite expensive, so in order to reduce costs, it is recommended to consider the open-source and dynamically developing RunBotics software.
In planning RPA processes for an organization, it is also a good strategy to start from business needs and to define expectations, boundary conditions and a budget. The choice of tool can be an outcome of the above. It is also recommended to rely on the experience of a partner, a development company hired to prepare and launch these processes.