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Robotic Process Automation
What is RPA?
Die robotic process automation (RPA), Also known as robot-assisted process automation, is an approach to Automate business processes. Repetitive, manual, time-consuming or error-prone activities are carried out by so-called Software Robots (Bots) learns and automatically executed. This Technology Plays an Important Role in the Area of automation, particularly when it comes to clearly rule-based and repetitive processes that are normally carried out by humans. Some selected literature sources are presented below, which describe the most important characteristics of RPA:
Die IEEE [01], Lacity and Willcocks [02] Defined RPA as follows:”RPA refers to software robots (bots) that automate repetitive, rule-based tasks based on structured data in a business process.”
Christian Czarnecki and Gunnar Auth Defined RPA similar to [03]:”Robotic Process Automation (RPA, German: robot-assisted process automation) is an approach to process automation in which repetitive, manual, time-consuming or error-prone tasks are learned and carried out automatically by so-called software robots (bots)”.
In the book”Robotic Process Automation (RPA) — Digitalization and Automation of Processes“reported Christian Langmann and Daniel Turi Using the example of controlling and accounting [04], that “dThe use of RPA as a bridge technology usually does not require any modification of the IT infrastructure, but is based on the existing IT landscape. The systems and applications used so far therefore remain untouched. Only the operation that was previously carried out by clerks is being replaced by a robot. The robot behaves like the clerk [05]. This fact and the relatively easy use of RPA software, which often requires no (profound) experience in programming languages, mean that robots are set up primarily by the operating units — and not by the (central) IT department, for example — although close coordination with (central) IT is essential for issues such as installation, operation, security or governance. (see [05] [06]) [..]
In summary, RPA can initially simply be understood as a software program with which (software) robots can be programmed. The developed robots are then able to carry out entire business processes or individual process steps automatically by themselves. Here, the robot interacts with the systems and applications involved in the process, processes structured data based on clear if-then rules and thus imitates human user interaction in the process. Efficiency gains result, among other things, from the fact that the robot can work faster, error-free and consistently. (see [07])”
Further reported Christian Langmann and Daniel Turi [4], That “the new or further development of numerous digitization technologies in recent years has contributed to the evolution of RPA to the so-called Intelligent Process Automation (IPA) continues. IPA combines RPA with other digitization technologies in order to give classic software robots advanced (cognitive) capabilities.”
sources
[01] 2755-2017 - IEEE Guide for Terms and Concepts in Intelligent Process Automation; “IEEE Guide for Terms and Concepts in Intelligent Process Automation,” in IEEE Std 2755-2017, pp. 1-16, 28 Sept. 2017, DOI: 10.1109/IEEESTD.2017.8070671. and
[02] Lacity, M., Willcocks, L., Craig, A.: Robotic process automation at Telefónica O2. MIS Q. Exec. 15 (1), Article 4 (2015)
Quoted from: Benjamin Matthies and Carsten Feldmann; “Economic Assessment of Process Automation with RPA to Support Investment Decisions”; In: Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Practical Handbook - From Process Analysis to Operation; Carsten Feldmann (ed.); ISBN 978-3-658-38378-7; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-38379-4; 2022; Springer Gabler Wiesbaden
[03] Christian Czarnecki and Gunnar Auth: Process digitization through robotic process automation. In: Digitalization in Companies: From Theoretical Approaches to Practical Implementation (= Applied Business Informatics). Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden 2018, ISBN 978-3-658-22773-9, pp. 113—131, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-658-22773-9_7 (springer.com [accessed August 14, 2019]); cited from: Wikipedia; “Robotic Process Automation”; URL: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robotic_Process_Automation#cite_note-Czarnecki_Auth2018-1; retrieved on: 19.04.2024
[04] Christian Langmann and Daniel Turi: “Robotic Process Automation (RPA) — Digitalization and Automation of Processes - Requirements, Functioning and Implementation Using the Example of Controlling and Accounting”; 2nd edition; Springer Gabler; ISBN 978-3-658-34679-9
[05] Scheer A-W (2017) Performance improvement through automation of business processes, 2nd edition AWS Institute for Digital Products and Processes gGmbH
[06] PWC (2017) Successful Implementation of RPA Takes Time — Lessons Learned by 18 of the Largest Danish Enterprises. https://www.pwc.dk/da/services/2018/RPA-rapport-engelsk.pdf.Zugegriffen: 18. March 2019
[07] Lhuer X (2016) The nextacronym you need to know about: RPA (Robotic Process Automation). Digital McKinsey, December Issue, S 1—4
What do we use RPA for?
The following is a brief insight into our activities at the “Lab RPA” digital laboratory of the Department of Architecture at Jade University, based on our publications:
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Grunwald, G., Kawasaki, J., Hanke, T., Eidam J., “Robotic Process Automation to Increase Teaching Efficiency in Higher Education,” Conference Paper of 2nd Asia Pacific Conference on Educational Research, Social Sciences and Humanities (APCERSSH 2023), Bangkok, September 2023, DOI: https://doi.org/10.52783/jes.2481, https://journal.esrgroups.org/jes/article/view/2481
Robotic Process Automation
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) automates human interactions with digital systems using software robots or “bots.” These bots perform repetitive and rule-based tasks in business processes by using user interfaces, entering data, extracting information, and integrating various applications.
RPA the Need in Education
The CHARGING project is developing new learning formats that use RPA technology. We are investigating whether and how Robotic Process Automation (RPA) can be integrated into teaching to develop learning formats that help students learn software applications. With the help of RPA, so-called “nuggets” were developed, which record the process steps for specific applications in software in order to keep them available for learning purposes at any time and play them slowly while the steps are automatically executed on the students' computers. Case studies show that this method increases students' learning speed and reduces teachers' effort.
UiPath
To do this, we use the UiPath software. UiPath is a leading Robotic Process Automation (RPA) software platform that can be used to automate tasks and processes. It offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features. RPA can be used as a learning tool by using recorded processes as tutorials. The ability to adapt the playback speed of the process steps to your own learning speed enables you to learn software applications step by step. RPA tools like UiPath have the potential to improve learning in higher education.
Use case: IFC export
Exporting IFC files from Revit is a good example of how RPA automation can simplify complex processes. The IFC export feature in Revit is difficult to use as the user must navigate through multiple menus, sub-menus, and settings. With UiPath Studio, this process can be automated through simple interactions with the Revit program. The process is recorded and is therefore repeatable and comprehensible to the user due to the ability to play the recording slowly and thus learn the necessary work steps by watching it repeatedly.
Opportunities and potential problems in integrating RPA in higher education:
The integration of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) into higher education provides opportunities for self-study by students. RPA increases efficiency, enables individual learning, promotes better understanding and saves time. The aim must be to use RPA responsibly as a supplement to teaching that supports, but does not replace, the teaching objectives. This relieves teachers of the hassle of teaching methods and makes it possible to use valuable teaching time for overarching learning goals.
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C. Heins; “Development of a structural analysis portal for the participatory processing of structural calculations in the process of the four-eye principle (planning — testing)”; doctoral thesis, University of Wuppertal; 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.25926/BUW/0-227
This work belongs to application-oriented research, whose research focuses on the optimization of the construction and testing process of building statics using established digital technologies. The work involves recording and analyzing the current IST work processes in various engineering firms in order to be able to identify potential for optimization. Based on an Information Management System and RPA Technology, Solutions will then be presented to automate the flow of information between digitized structural analysis and CAE application programs. To digitize structural calculations, a structural analysis portal is presented, which queries, stores and provides the procedural context. The structural analysis portal enables location-independent cooperation between the constructing and testing engineering offices and uses real-time data to provide information on the current performance status of specialists. RPA Technology therefore wants to be presented to automate once manual, repetitive, time-consuming or error-prone CAE applications using RPA bots. The RPA bots are integrated into the structural analysis portal. Based on the rigid forms of the structural analysis portal, the RPA bots act automatically at the push of a button to synchronize the context of the structural analysis portal with that of a construction product model. Furthermore, a proposed solution is developed in order to take into account judgment and subjective individual decisions within a digitized process. This work thus presents a participatory analysis portal for structural planning, which digitizes building statics and automates established CAE applications in order to be able to drive digital transformation in engineering offices more effectively than before.
Key words: Construction planning; approval process; structural calculations; process digitization; process automation; building information modeling (BIM); information management system (IMS); structural analysis portal; robotic process automation (RPA)
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C. Heins, T. Luhmann (eds.), and T. Sieberth (eds.); “Intelligent Process Automation in Continuing Education and Construction Planning Processes”; In: Photogrammetry Laser Scanning Optical 3D Measurement Technology — Contributions from the 21st Oldenburg 3D Days; Wichmann Verlag; Berlin/Offenbach; 2024.
The present work shows that “Intelligent Process Automation (IPA)” is able to standardize construction-specific information flows of established IT software landscapes across companies and intelligently automate them.
Based on the case study of an autodidactic BIM learning portal, the “Digital Process Automation (DPA)” ALSIT main component is presented, which, as a digital portal for human-machine interactions, provides cross-company content just-in-time, standardizes technical reporting, represents real-time data and personalizes the processing status. The DPA is used to improve efficiency in information transfer and to offer end users the opportunity to learn and work intuitively (adapted to their performance curve).
“Robotic Process Automation (RPA)” is presented as a secondary component to automate CAE application programs through software robots (RPA bots) in established IT software landscapes. RPA bots act as bridge technologies and imitate human software activities to improve effectiveness for repetitive, time-consuming or error-prone computer applications. In the present case study, RPA technology is used to automatically correct the work submitted by the end user at any time (always-on).
Key words: Intelligent Process Automation (IPA); Digital Process Automation (DPA); Robotic Process Automation (RPA); Definitions; Autodidactic Learning Portal
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C. Heins and G. Grunwald; “BIM and IPA — Excerpt of an Automated Assessment System for an Autodidactic Teaching Concept”; in: 41st International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2024); Lille (France); 2024
This article presents an innovative approach for evaluating and improving Building Information Modeling (BIM) capabilities using digital process automation (DPA) and robotic process automation (RPA). The study is aimed at university BIM courses and addresses the challenge of evaluating students' modelling skills. The autodidactic teaching concept uses a bizagi-based work portal that offers modules organized according to BIM roles. Learners work on application-specific tasks, which are automatically assessed by RPA bots. The integrated system successfully combines DPA and RPA components and highlights the challenges and prospects for an error-free portal.
Key words: Building Information Modeling (BIM); Intelligent Process Automation (IPA); Digital Process Automation (DPA); Robotic Process Automation (RPA); Information Management System (IMS); Work Portal; Fully Automated BIM-based Model Verification (BMC); Education and Training
