Robotic process automation (RPA) is a technology that emulates how people interact with software to carry out repetitive, high-volume operations.
Findings from GlobalData’s Company Filing Analytics Database reveals RPA is gaining traction in 2022. The firm noted that more than 600 companies had RPA-related discussions from Q1 to Q3 2022. However, it was the retail sector that saw the largest growth (52%) from 2021 to 2022.
Retail companies like Hong Kong’s Sa Sa International Holdings mentioned RPA for accounting needs while Migros Ticaret in Turkey discussed the robotisation of 34 of their business processes across various departments. Thailand’s CP All Public Company mentioned using RPA technology in repetitive work inspections as part of auditing. Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC talked about leveraging RPA to improve cyber security and information security, get deeper business insights, and go after operational excellence in sourcing, inventory control, and manufacturing. In South Africa, Dis-Chem Pharmacies mentioned improving its warehouse activity efficiency.
Ekta Chourasia, business fundamentals analyst at GlobalData, comments: “As more retail companies are transforming their business processes to the RPA system so that tasks are performed more quickly, with minimum errors and reduced expenses, we have seen an increase in the number of retail companies discussing RPA in their filings.”
Companies in other sectors like automotive and consumer indicated greater efficiency in lead time calculations and enhanced supply chain and inventory management due to RPA. The UK’s Vertu Motors mentioned its application of RPA in smart repair ordering, vehicle administration, payment receipts and customer refunds.
Turkey consumer company, Arcelik, discussed using RPA in logistics processes while construction company, CTCI, discussed utilizing RPA for the input of bulk material and delivery.
Chourasia adds: “RPA in financial services is focusing on automating processes like daily report generation, ATM reconciliation, and payment settlement. Some of the financial services have also mentioned stop debit, insurance deregistration and savings account openings through RPA.”
