What’s the difference between Gen1 RPA and Gen2 RPA?

 

There are two generations to consider when discussing RPA: Gen1 and Gen2. Similar to UiPath, Gen1 RPA is used to automate straightforward, rule-based processes. Gen2 RPA, however, is a better option for businesses when it comes to automating more complicated processes.

The second generation of RPA, also known as Intelligent Process Automation, combines AI and machine learning capabilities with RPA. This indicates that, compared to Gen1 RPA tools, Gen2 RPA is much more flexible and capable of handling more difficult tasks.

According to Everest Group’s Smart Business Automation Adoption Maturity Research Report, businesses that have implemented IPA initiatives across their operations have saved more than $50 million, experienced a noticeably higher return on investment, and more than half of businesses have been able to expand their workforce.

 

What are the core technologies used by Gen2 RPA?

 

  • Robotic Process Automation – A software automation tool that automates routine tasks.
  • Smart Workflow – A process management software tool that combines tasks performed by human groups and computers. This enables users to start a process and check its status in real time throughout.
  • Machine Learning – Algorithms that use “supervised” and “unsupervised” learning to find patterns in structured data, such as daily performance data.
  • Natural-Language Generation – It’s a software process that generates outcomes in natural language.
  • Cognitive Agents – Technologies that combine machine learning and NLG (natural language generation) to create a fully automated workforce (or “agent”) that can carry out tasks, interacting, learning from data sets, and even making decisions based on “emotion detection.”

 

What would a Gen2 RPA (IPA) process look like in action using these 5 core technologies?

 

Consider an employee who must process claims and extract data from 10 different systems to offer a particular service to customers.

Automation can take the place of clicks (RPA), interpret text communications (NLG), make decisions based on unwritten rules (machine learning), offer customers suggestions (cognitive agents), and provide real-time tracking of transfers between systems and people using Gen2 RPA (intelligent workflows).

 

What are the key benefits of Gen2 RPA?

 

  1. Compared to Gen1 RPA, Gen2 RPA can operate much more complicated processes.

Gen1 RPA, as previously mentioned, is helpful for automating straightforward, rule-based processes and is capable of handling more complicated processes that are more dynamic and demand more decision-making.

  1. Gen2 RPA is significantly more scalable.

Instead of optimizing automation based on the robot licenses that are available, users can optimize based on performance. Execution environments can therefore have no restrictions.

  1. Compared to Gen1 RPA, Gen2 RPA is much more flexible.

Gen2 RPA supports a wider range of platforms and tools. Gen2 RPA enables you to use the appropriate tool for the desired automation if Gen1 RPA locks you into a particular tool or platform.

  1. Gen2 RPA is much easier to use.

You frequently need to have some technical knowledge to configure and set up the software when using Gen1 RPA. Gen2 RPA, however, enables non-technical users to begin using RPA.

  1. Gen2 RPA is cheaper than Gen1 RPA

Gen2 RPA is the way to go if you’re looking for a more cost-effective RPA solution because the pricing is usage-based. In most cases, Gen1 RPA requires you to pay a license fee for each robot or user that you utilize. With Gen2 RPA, things are different because you only must pay for the robots when you use them.

 

Catch the new wave of innovation!

The solutions that businesses will use must advance along with the demand for automation. While Gen1 RPA has been a crucial building block for automation, its flaws have now made it sluggish. Gen2 provides an improved experience with a number of fluid and improved features. Including its mixture of contemporary tools and a strong business model, it eliminates the limitations of Gen1 and will allow businesses of all dimensions to fully utilize RPA’s ability. Purchasing a Gen2 RPA is a wise decision as business processes keep moving to automation and digitization.

 

What advantages are you hoping to obtain from this new wave of automation? We’d love to hear from you!