2019 Protiviti Survey: Robotic Process Automation

Companies are investing in RPA but need to heed lessons learned

MENLO PARK, CA – May 1, 2019 – A new global study conducted by consulting firm Protiviti, in collaboration with ESI ThoughtLab, finds that companies are investing significantly in robotic process automation (RPA) and are planning to dedicate even more resources toward developing their RPA capabilities over the next two years. The survey revealed that, overall, companies are investing about $5 million in RPA on average in their current fiscal years with the largest organisations spending as much as $10 million to $20 million annually. Organisations that fall behind in developing RPA will soon find themselves at a competitive disadvantage as RPA leaders — those companies identified as already ahead of the curve — take market share, generate higher revenues and improve customer satisfaction.

The study, “Taking RPA to the Next Level,” polled 450 executives across multiple regions, industries and company sizes to highlight the most effective deployment practices and lessons learned in RPA adoption as organisations navigate and manage their use of the emerging technology. Of the companies surveyed, 78% have $1 billion or greater in annual revenue.

“Executives are finding that investments in RPA can produce a multitude of benefits. In as little as two years, those companies we’ve identified as leaders will be using bots in virtually every function within their organisations,” said Tony Abel, a managing director with Protiviti. “Today, RPA is a lynchpin of sleek and agile operations that will fortify companies’ market positions by driving efficiencies, boosting speed to market and bolstering financial performance.”

The study found the following benefits associated with the motivation to invest in RPA ranked highest among respondents:

  • Increased productivity (22%)
  • Better product quality (16%)
  • Strong competitive market position (15%)
  • Customer satisfaction (12%)
  • Greater speed to market (11%)

These results reinforce the fact that automation is being implemented more to add commercial value than to trim costs, which ranked as the lowest benefit at three percent.

Obstacles Remain

Despite RPA successes, barriers towards productive implementation still exist. In fact, 40% of organisations cited that one of their top obstacles is an inability to prioritise potential RPA initiatives, while 30% find that their scattershot approach has made it difficult to pursue the best applications of RPA. Additional challenges include concerns associated with cybersecurity (40%) and regulation (30%).

To help companies improve their RPA implementation plans, the Protiviti study also highlights the lessons learned by those firms that are most advanced in their use of RPA, including:

  • Analyse and track the cost-effectiveness of each RPA application
  • Leverage the ecosystem of RPA partners, suppliers and consultants
  • Make sure there is a plan and budget for ongoing maintenance
  • Ensure use of the right application for the processes within the enterprise
  • Develop and communicate a clear RPA business plan and strategy

The People Factor

The lack of available talent is another obstacle for many companies looking to jumpstart their RPA initiatives; 24% of executives cited this as a significant barrier. In a situation of supply and demand, companies leading the pack on RPA progress are making a concerted effort to upskill existing employees (71%), partner with consulting companies or tech providers (53%) and identify new sources of talent outside of their organisations (40%).

To assuage employee fears, organisations are taking key steps by being transparent about their plans for RPA use, working closely with employees to understand and alleviate their concerns, and accentuating the positive relating to time saved on mundane repetitive work.

“RPA’s biggest benefit is often the time and bandwidth unlocked when tedious tasks are automated,” said Jonathan Wyatt, head of Protiviti Digital. “The end stage should be a sleek and smoothly flowing operation where new ideas, innovation and the best decisions thrive because employees have time to devote to them.”

Resources Available to Learn More

Among the resources offered in the survey report is an eight-step round-up to help executives develop a successful RPA implementation plan. The RPA survey report is available for free download at www.protiviti.com/RPA along with an infographic and video of survey highlights and a companion podcast with Protiviti’s Tony Abel. Protiviti will host a webinar to share insights to drive attendees’ RPA efforts forward, featuring Abel and Wyatt on Tuesday, May 14 at 10:00 a.m. PDT. To register for the complimentary one-hour webinar, please visit here.

Über Protiviti Inc

Protiviti ist ein global agierendes Beratungsunternehmen, das über umfassende Kompetenzen, individuelle Ansätze und einzigartige Kooperationen verfügt. Wir haben mehr als 80 Büros in über 20 Ländern und unterstützen führende Unternehmen dabei, der Zukunft mit Selbstbewusstsein zu begegnen. Protiviti bietet Lösungen in den Bereichen Finance, Technology, Governance, Risk und Internal Audit.

Protiviti wurde vom Fortune Magazine in den letzten drei Jahren als eine der „100 Best Companies to Work For®“ ausgezeichnet. Zu unseren Auftraggebern zählen mehr als 60 Prozent der Fortune 1000® und 35 Prozent der Fortune Global 500® Unternehmen. Zudem kooperieren wir mit kleineren, wachsenden Unternehmen, einschließlich derer, die einen Börsengang anstreben sowie mit Regierungsbehörden. Protiviti ist ein eigenständiges Tochterunternehmen von Robert Half (Bezeichnung an der New Yorker Börse: RHI). Robert Half wurde 1948 gegründet und ist Mitglied des S&P 500 Indexes.

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