Robotic Process Automation (RPA) stands out as a revolutionary technology within the ever-changing realm of business process automation. RPA entails the utilization of software robots or bots for the execution of repetitive tasks, enabling organizations to streamline operations, minimize errors, and enhance overall efficiency. According to a report, the RPA market is projected to reach a value of $22 billion by the year 2025.
Worldwide RPA Software End-User Spending Forecast (Millions of U.S. Dollars)
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| End-User Spending | 2,389 | 2,854 | 3,352 |
| Growth (%) | 30.9 | 19.5 | 17.5 |
Source: Gartner (August 2022)
However, when embarking on the RPA journey, organizations are faced with a crucial decision: Should they opt for a traditional RPA approach or embrace the benefits of managed RPA services? Let’s explore the key differences between these approaches to help you make an informed choice.
Traditional RPA Services
- In-House Control: Traditional RPA methodology revolves around in-house development, deployment, and management of RPA bots. This approach offers the utmost control over the automation process, enabling organizations to customize RPA solutions according to their unique needs.
- Customization: With traditional RPA, businesses can create highly customized bots that fit their unique workflows. This level of customization can be invaluable when dealing with complex and industry-specific processes.
- Upfront Costs: Traditional RPA services demand substantial initial investments in software licenses, infrastructure, in-house expertise, and resources for development, as well as ongoing maintenance and BOT support. However, over the long term, they can prove cost-effective for large enterprises with extensive automation requirements.
- Scalability: Traditional RPA services allow organizations to scale their automation efforts at their own pace. Companies can add more bots and expand automation capabilities as and when needed. However, it’s essential to consider the availability and expertise of the organization’s resources. A continuous commitment to ongoing investment is necessary to stay aligned with the latest technological advancements for the most effective solutions.
Managed Services
- Leveraging Outsourced Expertise: Managed services entail collaborating with an external provider to oversee diverse facets of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), from initial discovery to development and ongoing maintenance. This approach grants access to specialized expertise, particularly advantageous for organizations without in-house RPA proficiency. Furthermore, it opens avenues to harness industry-leading practices and insights into state-of-the-art solutions for continual enhancement, ultimately enabling the expansion of automation capabilities into hyper-automation through the incorporation of AI and ML advancements.
- Accelerated Deployment: Managed services can accelerate the RPA implementation process with agile methodologies. Providers often have pre-built solutions and templates that can quickly adapt to a company’s needs, reducing the time to see automation benefits.
- Reduced Upfront Costs: Managed services typically require lower initial investments than traditional RPA services, as organizations don’t need to purchase software licenses or build infrastructure from scratch. Costs are often spread out through subscription-based models.
- Maintenance and Support Services: Among the paramount benefits of managed services is the continuous support and maintenance furnished by the experts from service providers. Their proactive strategies are aimed at preventing Bot failures in the future, guaranteeing that RPA solutions stay current with evolving business processes and remain efficient, all without burdening internal resources.
- Scalability and Adaptability: Managed services provide the versatility to expand RPA operations on demand, making them valuable for organizations facing variable automation needs. The expertise offered by managed services can effectively integrate RPA into an organization’s existing enterprise systems, bridging gaps.
Making The Right Choice
The choice between traditional RPA services and managed services ultimately depends on your organization’s unique circumstances, resources, and objectives.
- Think About Traditional RPA Services When: You desire full autonomy over RPA development and operations. Your organization possesses a substantial budget for initial investments. Your automation requirements are intricate and tailored to your industry. You have a proficient in-house team capable of efficiently overseeing RPA initiatives.
- Contemplate Managed Services When: You lack internal RPA expertise and require a swift start. Your budget aligns with a pay-as-you-go or subscription-based approach. You prefer directing your attention towards core business functions and entrusting RPA management to specialists. The flexibility to scale and adapt is vital due to evolving automation needs.
Conclusion
Traditional RPA and managed services have their merits, and the choice between them hinges on your organization’s specific goals and circumstances. Whether you value control and customization or prefer the expertise and scalability of a managed approach, the key to successful RPA implementation lies in aligning your choice with your unique business needs. Ultimately, RPA can drive significant improvements in efficiency and productivity, regardless of the service model you choose, making it a valuable asset in today’s competitive business landscape.