Robotic process automation (RPA) is a core element of reshaping repetitive tasks and enabling people to focus on strategy and growth.
At IBA Group, we’ve seen how automation empowers people rather than replaces them.
Real-world impact across industries
RPA is delivering tangible results. For example, in banking and FinTech, companies have already implemented bots that handle regulatory reporting and loan processing, significantly saving time and reducing human error. According to Gartner, around 80 percent of finance leaders have implemented or are planning to implement RPA.
Likewise, logistics companies manage invoice reconciliation and shipment tracking while healthcare companies automate claims processing and patient onboarding, freeing staff to spend more time on patient care.
Case study example: a global manufacturing client streamlined its order-to-cash process with RPA. The outcome?
- A 40 percent improvement in processing speed.
- Elimination of late invoice penalties.
- A better experience for both employees and customers.
All achieved without a single job cut.
Blind spots for improvements
RPA is ideal for structured, rules-based, high-volume tasks such as:
- Invoice processing
- Data migration between systems
- Report generation
- Account reconciliation
- Employee onboarding/offboarding
However, tasks requiring human judgment, emotional intelligence or unstructured decision-making like product design, client relationship management or negotiation are still RPA’s weakness.
Training for a smarter future
RPA adoption is only as successful as the team behind it. Microsoft highlighted that RPA can significantly improve employees satisfaction. That’s why we engage clients to take part in comprehensive training tailored to different skill levels – from workshops for executives to hands-on sessions for citizen developers. We’ve seen impressive results where clients created internal RPA communities with business users building bots under centralized governance. It’s a scalable, agile model that aligns closely with business needs.
We advise companies to invest in:
- Digital literacy
- Low-code/no-code platforms
- Data analysis
- Automation oversight
These are the skill sets of the future. We also guide clients in establishing internal centers of excellence to scale RPA responsibly.
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Ethical automation at scale
One of the main concerns clients raise is the fear of job displacement. We address this by reframing automation as an enabler, not a threat. Our approach focuses on task-level optimization, not headcount reduction. The goal is to eliminate the repetitive, draining work so teams can shift to more meaningful, skill-enhancing roles.
Another concern is algorithmic transparency and decision-making accountability – especially when artificial intelligence (AI) is integrated into RPA. Who is responsible when an automated decision goes wrong? We are for a human integrated approach for all decisions, especially those affecting customers, finances or compliance.
We also emphasize inclusive change management. It’s crucial to lead clients through structured, empathetic communication plans, involving teams early, listening to concerns and offering clear upskilling paths.
Cognitive automation and human-machine synergy
RPA doesn’t stop at bots mimicking clicks. Increasingly, we’re integrating AI and cognitive capabilities – like natural language processing, sentiment analysis and intelligent document processing (IDP) – into automation workflows.
This blend of RPA and AI is powerful. For instance, an AI-enhanced bot can read and classify customer emails, then pass them to RPA for processing. The result is not just faster work but smarter, context-aware automation.
Think of a restaurant owner who says, “let’s add chicken alfredo to the menu.” Traditional automation might email the chef or update the digital menu, but an AI agent would coordinate inventory, pricing, marketing and staff instructions without needing the owner to orchestrate every step.
This is the shift – from executing steps to achieving outcomes. Still, humans are critical in setting the rules, validating results and optimizing the process.
Advice to leaders
- Start small, scale fast
- Involve your people early and often
- Invest in continuous learning
- Measure impact beyond cost-savings
The future of work is not about choosing between people and automation – it’s about designing systems where both thrive.
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