The average development time until the software robot is ready for its first use is five days. The exact time span is dynamic and depends on the complexity of the process, but a first prototype can be realised within a few days. A key advantage is that no expensive IT project must be set up to develop and implement process automation.

Repetitive and rule-based business processes that follow a clear structure and instructions are suitable for process automation. To automate processes with robotics, the following criteria should therefore be met:

• Rule-based and repetitive
• Structured input data available
• Medium to high volume
• Peak loads and bottlenecks
• Process can be distributed over 24 hours
• Vulnerability to human error
• No regular process changes

The more of these criteria are met, the more suitable is the use of RPA. However, the non-fulfilment of individual criteria does not automatically lead to the exclusion of a process. If you are unsure, you can always reach out to us and we can advise which processes can be automated.

Robotic Process Automation enables companies to efficiently automate repetitive and manual processes. Employees thus have additional resources at their disposal to focus on their core competencies and value-adding tasks. The advantages of software robots further include time savings and reliability. Routine tasks are often prone to errors. In other words: you make a mistake or easily get the wrong line in a table. This simply cannot happen to a software robot, because it automatically extracts the initial data from the operational system and transfers it to the target system. Further advantages that are offered by robotics are:

• Cost reductions
• Quality improvements
• Increase in employee satisfaction
• Increase in process speed
• Permanent availability
• Scalability
• Focus on core competencies
• Efficiency increase
• Increase customer satisfaction and loyalty

VBA macros can only be used within one program and have difficulties communicating with other software. To enable interactions between different solutions, interfaces are required for each individual program. With VBA macros, User Interface (UI) commands can only be executed by movements on the X and Y axes. Hence, it is more difficult to detect changes in the positions of fields and a wrong field is easily clicked on. Robotic Process Automation, on the other hand, enables smooth control and communication between different programs. RPA is even often used as an interface solution. Buttons and text fields are recognised by selectors and not just their position. Thus, Robotic Process Automation is less prone for errors and is a much more flexible tool than VBA macros.

There are two different ways to build the IT infrastructure for RPA:

1. All data remains in the client's network and a software robot can be installed on site at the customer's premises. This requires access to the computer via an external network without a proxy. As soon as the robot arrives at work like an employee, it redeems its license key, works on the customer's system and returns the key after work. In this way, the data never leaves the client's premises.
2. Alternatively, we can provide everything in the Rhenus network. In this case, you need to provide us with the input file, which includes the data that the Robots processes. The provided data is stored on our ISO certified TIER3 data centre in Germany.

With Robotics and Data Science you can gain a deep understanding of your customers and maximize the efficiency of your processes. You can identify weaknesses in your processes early on and, if necessary, make improvements. You also gain insights into trends and developments in the market and can base your strategic planning on them. Decisions are no longer made on a presumption basis: you decide based on facts.

By default, the software only logs data from the day the robot was active. This data includes, among other things, which process was performed and how long it ran. If required, we can also log additional data especially for our clients. For example, customers often request a defined protocol with the most important information about the process run.