The innovation of the past two centuries has helped to enhance the abilities of the human workforce. We read about the mastery of automated assembly lines introduced in the Detroit automobile plants. We’ve witnessed the exponential growth of commerce, telecommunication and travel industries through the courtesy of Information technology. We are presently entrenched in the adoption of software robotic automation in all sectors as part of digital transformation.

While all technologies have relatively succeeded in capturing accuracy, time and speed, did it succeed to replace humans? It hasn’t replaced humans, on the contrary, we have seen a surge in new job creation and opportunities. These new job opportunities require new skill sets.

Now a question emerges as per popular belief: did software robots remove people from their jobs or has it helped create new skill sets?

What are software robots and how do they function?

Software robot is a tool invented to execute the same tasks humans were doing in a computer. Since its route map is plotted with the structured input it delivers the expected output. Robots evaluate the path, train how to perform rapidly & accurately and effectively perform the repetitive process. Therefore, all jobs that are monotonous, repetitive and predetermined tasks carried once by humans can be delegated to robots.

Where are software robots being put to use?

The world of Robots (RPA/Robotic Process Automation) is in vogue by the business world. It has helped businesses to increase productivity and efficiency. Researchers at Hadoop estimate that the potential savings that companies will experience by using RPA by 2025 is between $5 trillion to $7 trillion

It eliminates human errors by efficiently carrying out a large number of tasks in a shorter span of time. It has removed the concept of absenteeism or personnel reasons of workforce and replaced it with round the clock availability. It has propelled cost-efficiency to the tasks assigned to it rather than employing humans to complete the same tasks.

Therefore, most of the manual and semi manual tasks landed in the hands of robots.

Also Read: Myths and Misconceptions Surrounding Robotic Process Automation

Evaluating the role of robots in the working environment of human beings:

With the advent of Robotic Process Automation, sharing workspace with humans has triggered a paradigm shift in their working style. Let us analyse the reasons and how it impacts the working capabilities of humans.

1. RPA induction - paved way for customer satisfaction:
   The exhaustive and repetitive job done by the employees at the back-office delivers a lackluster performance from them. Now that the mundane jobs are entrusted to RPA, employees now have regained time to shift their focus.
   Now they can unlock their creative self and ensure how they can bring a difference to their workplace. Further, they can shift their focus towards customer satisfaction. They can employ personal touch in order for customers to get a unique experience.
2. RPA induction - paved way for developing mutual collaboration amongst employees:
   As time consuming tasks are reassigned to RPA bots, employees now have time to think beyond the realm of routine jobs. Usually, they perform their tasks in isolation in order to stick to their deliverables. Now employees are conducive to developing interpersonal skills, collaborating on common goals and are willing to share information & experiences. Thereby, we are now seeing a participatory workforce.
3. RPA induction - paved way for timely delivery and adherence to quality control measures:
   It is often reported that many companies recall/withdraw their products after sales. The fault can be from various sources beginning from assembly line, defective product or services etc. The firms spend their valuable time, human resources, and money for rectifying the error. It takes immense PR activities to reinstate the goodwill the firm previously enjoyed in the market.
   RPA reduces the margin of error to a considerable extent, giving space for employees to focus on customer services, quality control and timely delivery. Operational excellence is achieved through RPA deployment.
4. RPA induction - paved way for workers re-orienting with new skill sets
   With RPA being deployed in many processes, it is going to remove people having low skill sets from the pipeline. At the same time, it gives a lot of scope and freedom for employees to re-equip themselves to the changing needs. With new jobs there are new challenges where human contribution is needed.

Also Read: Does Robotic Process Automation Impact Employee Morale?

As any other new technology entrant, RPA never removes humans from their job, in fact, it empowers humans to be at an advantageous position. They are able to channelise their time and energy for tasks that are of vital importance to the business.

Without any iota of doubt, RPA is a trusted co-worker sharing our office space and time. Instead of humans challenging their existence, we need to learn to co-exist. If you are an accounting firm and want to use robots as a co-worker, we can help you. Feel free to contact us, if you are looking for a personalized accounting automation demo.