Micro-Outsourcing
Micro-Outsourcing is a Fresh Approach that makes the benefits of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) available to every organisation who have people who are carrying out repetitive tasks – regardless of the size, industry and range of operations.
RPA uses software robots – we call ours Jo – to reduce cost, increase capacity and flexibility and release human resources for higher value activities.
The software robot accesses business applications using the ‘front-end’ in exactly the same way as a human user. It completes repetitive tasks faster and more accurately – meaning no need to make changes to existing systems. Using our approach, it can be deployed rapidly with no up-front cost and benefits can be realised in days / weeks.
- RPA is a combination of technologies that make it possible to automate repetitive manual office tasks that require little judgement. These are the tasks that tie down humans with fingers on keyboards – performed using a mouse and a keyboard in your existing IT systems.
- RPA is a tool that thrives on tasks that are driven by rules, procedures, schedules and instructions.
- RPA deploys a software robot – a digital team-mate – that works as part of your overall team. It is scheduled to work at allotted times – day or night, weekday or weekend.
- Software robots are ‘trained’ and report on their progress. They access necessary applications and execute their allocated tasks – typically working 10-20x faster than a human worker
- Software robots generate reports on tasks completed, making quality and control much easier.
- As processes evolve the robots ‘training’ can be modified and tested in minutes – providing enormous flexibility and increasing agility within the operation.
Robotic Process Automation has been deployed in many organisations, but the up-front investment involved in the most common approaches can often present a barrier to rapid deployment.
- Traditional approach = Licence the software, build the infrastructure and hire a team to deliver
- Outsource approach = rent a robot, infrastructure and development team
- Fresh approach = Process as a service / ‘micro-outsource’ – no up-front costs, with the advantage of full control
Our Fresh Approach makes it possible to identify opportunities, confirm feasibility and benefits and deploy in typically 3-5 weeks. “Micro-outsourcing” is fast and creates no disruption to existing operations.
Processes can be identified fast and automated in days / weeks and there are no charges until the go-ahead has been given to develop and deploy. Typically an engagement will look like:
- Initial discussion – might this approach be a fit?
- Stakeholder workshop – identify candidate processes for automation
- Process feasibility and business case
- We observe the tasks being undertaken as they are today, establish cost of current performance and plan / price how it would be developed and deployed.
- There is no cost to you until you commit to development – meaning you can accurately predict the benefits up-front and at no risk
- Development
- The robot is ‘trained’ to execute the tasks – this has been done for some clients in as little as 3-4 days
- Demonstration
- We show that the robot is able to execute the tasks effectively using test work – this stage typically involves no more than an hour of client staff’s time
- Refinement
- Once it has been verified that the process can be carried out we work to optimise to cover variations in the process and pin down any inconsistencies. This typically involves 2-3 45-60 minute calls.
- Controlled roll-out – the software robot executes the process on small batches to ensure that all variations / inconsistencies have been identified. This is typically carried out over 1-2 days.
- Productionise
- Once you are happy that the process is right, it can be deployed to run at your chosen time / frequency. We continue to monitor and support the process – making necessary changes as new variations are identified or the process evolves.
- You only start to pay monthly once the process has been put into production
No up-front costs
- You only pay once the process is to be deployed – with a monthly ‘rental’ model that only starts after the robot starts actually doing the job
- No need to make changes to your systems
- No need to invest in resources or infrastructure
Fully managed operation
- We make sure that the robot is always ready to work
- When a process or system changes, we retrain robots accordingly
- The robot reports on work completed – providing additional insights into process performance and opportunities for additional improvement
Fast and Tangible results
- Development, testing and refinement typically takes 3-4 weeks
- Testing is simple – just like assessing a human user and watching that steps are carried out correctly
Insights and Resources
Smarter Processes in Action: Automating Accounts Payable
Accounts Payable is a common application for Robotic Process Automation. It’s an essential activity that [...]
RPA and Micro-Outsourcing: You don’t need a head-start to get ahead of the game
During the profound changes we’ve all had to go through during the Covid-19 pandemic and [...]
Are you in the right race?
Report Shows How Larger Companies are Gaining Productivity Advantages A recent report from automation software business, [...]
Smarter Operations Webinar Series
After a busy few weeks helping clients respond to the pressures of lock-down it [...]
