How to choose an RPA tool?
If you’ve been following our blog, you know you want automation and you know why RPA is the best solution for your project, but what exactly should you look for in an RPA tool and what functionality best applies to you? This article aims to clarify the different types available and help you decide.
Central or Simple?
First, you need to know if you are you looking for a centralised solution where you can configure, deploy and manage multiple bots for various purposes OR if you’re looking for a solution that you can install on your PC to automate some mundane daily tasks.
If you need a centralised solution, then look for functionalities such as an Orchestrator or Master Controller that gives you this management possibility. If you need a simple, individual bot on your computer, you may want to exclude RPA tools that offer these functions and focus your search on so-called attended bots.
Configuring an RPA bot can be challenging at times, which is why I recommend having an RPA tool with functions to make this process easier; here are some examples:
My top recommended function of an RPA bot
If you want a bot to perform complex tasks and be able to react in several situations, it’s best to have a Workflow Engine. Ideally, you want one that can graphically configure and maintain the logic and rules your bots will follow. This is the main difference between an intelligent bot and one that keeps clicking into a black screen.
Other Recommended Functions
Recorder
An RPA recorder is an additional function that lets you use your mouse and keyboard with special shortcuts to record and teach the bot what you want it to do. In some tools, you must go into the code which can be complicated and time intensive, so this is something to watch out for if you aren’t up to scratch with coding.
Image Recognition
RPA bots can differ hugely in terms of their capability. One good example is image recognition. There are multiple methods that bots can use to perform their actions; the most basic one is using coordinates; make sure the bot can orientate itself visually (for example, recognising the internet explorer icon), so it knows which image to click.
Depending on your requirements and goals, there are other essential things to look for in an RPA tool such as:
- Security features
- Reporting capabilities
- Integration possibilities
- OCR
- AI
- System Monitoring Capabilities
- IOT Possibilities
- IT Automation
This list is not extensive and is only supposed to give you a brief overview of the functions an RPA tool can have. If you have any questions, contact us, and we’ll be happy to help.