RPA (Robotic Process Automation)
4 September 2024
updated at: 6 November 2026
RPA (Robotic Process Automation) is a technology that lets you configure software robots to perform repetitive tasks in digital systems. A robot acts as a virtual employee that can work around the clock without getting tired or making mistakes.
What is robotic process automation (RPA)?
RPA bots mimic human actions by interacting with applications through the user interface. They can enter data, copy and paste information, fill in forms and even make simple decisions based on predefined rules.
Key characteristics of RPA:
- Non-invasive: bots work through the user interface without touching application code.
- Universal: RPA can be applied to any system with a graphical interface.
- Scalable: you can easily add or remove bots as needed.
- Accurate: bots perform tasks with consistent accuracy, eliminating human error.
- Fast: automation significantly speeds up routine tasks.
How an RPA bot works
RPA bots are software tools that perform tasks by mimicking human actions in digital systems. They follow predefined algorithms and interact with the user interface of applications.
There are three main types of RPA bots:
| Attended | Unattended | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
● Run on the user's computer ● Interact with the employee in real time ● Help with complex tasks that require human involvement | ● Run independently on a server or in the cloud ● Perform tasks on a schedule or when specific events occur ● Require no human intervention while running | ● Combine the capabilities of attended and unattended bots ● Can work either autonomously or together with an employee |
Example: a contact center bot that automatically fills in forms while an agent is talking to a customer, saving time and improving data entry accuracy. | Example: a finance department bot that processes invoices every night, reconciles data and prepares reports before the start of the business day. | Example: a bot that automatically processes leave requests in the HR function of a shared services center, but hands non-standard cases over to an HR specialist. |
All types of bots are programmed using dedicated RPA platforms that let you build automation scenarios without in-depth programming knowledge. This makes the technology accessible to a wide range of specialists and speeds up the automation of business processes.
RPA use cases
RPA is used in any area of business with repetitive, rule-based processes. Examples of processes that are good candidates for automation:
- Data entry and form processing: filling in loan applications at banks, processing insurance claims, registering new employees in HR systems.
- Finance operations: reconciling invoices and payments, preparing financial reports, processing invoices.
- Customer operations: updating records in CRM systems, handling customer requests, sending notifications and reminders.
- IT processes: system monitoring and incident handling, user account management, automated data backups.
RPA bots are especially effective in highly regulated industries with large volumes of documents. The technology helps companies run operations more efficiently, cut costs and improve service quality.
RPA is often used in shared services centers to automate standard processes such as financial document processing, HR processes and IT support.