Repetitive and mundane tasks can be great obstacles in the manufacturing company’s journey toward growth. These tasks are time-consuming and prone to errors reducing productivity in this competitive age. RPA in manufacturing industry can lend a helping hand to manufacturers in handling such tasks and increasing the overall efficiency.
In this post, we will discuss the ways RPA (Robotic Process Automation) technology helps the manufacturing sector stand out from the crowd. We will also dig deep into the implementation challenges and best practices to overcome them. Let’s start with the scope of RPA in the manufacturing sector.
Scope of RPA in Manufacturing
RPA adoption is highly beneficial for the manufacturing industry. As per a research report, companies that have implemented RPA witness a payback of a whopping 250 percent in the initial quarters of adoption. This is a major reason behind the prediction for RPA software to grow at a CAGR of over 36 percent from 2022 to 2032.
RPA technology can automate high-volume, repetitive tasks to save time and effort. Software robots can perform tasks like opening and sending emails, filling forms, and entering data daily. Manufacturing companies find it cost-efficient and productive technology that can make employees free to focus on other productive tasks.
The advanced form of RPA in manufacturing is cognitive automation and it can overcome the limitations of the traditional robotic process automation approach. This concept applies more intelligence to tasks that need a focused approach and deep analysis. Let’s dig deep into the key benefits of RPA in the manufacturing sector.
Key Benefits of RPA in Manufacturing
Robotic process automation brings a plethora of benefits to the manufacturing sector. Here we mention some of them.
Drives Growth in Revenue
It automates tasks related to customer services including order processing and customer support. Moreover, it can automate repetitive tasks in product development to offer a quicker TTM (Time-to-Market).
RPA is also useful in automating lead qualification, data entry, and other related tasks. All these use cases drive the growth of the manufacturing industry.
Saves Time and Efforts
When this technology automates mundane and rule-based tasks, employees can get rid of tedious work. Moreover, RPA can minimize human intervention and reduce operational costs significantly.
It reduces the risk of human errors and saves bucks in correcting them. Team members can focus on other complex and productive activities every day as RPA saves their time and effort.
Increases Productivity and Efficiency
RPA in manufacturing aims at streamlining and optimizing processes. It enables manufacturers to identify and address bottlenecks within the process. It also offers 24x7 availability to increase overall productivity at the plant and maximize output.
As RPA contributes to increasing the throughput with the help of automation, it leads to more efficiency.
Promotes Innovation and Sustainability
RPA focuses on innovation as manufacturing companies can invest more time and effort in R&D. Automation can save a lot of time for employees and they can utilize it in innovation.
Moreover, RPA optimizes energy consumption and reduces waste by bringing automation into the processes. This results in more sustainable manufacturing operations.
Manages Risks and Compliance
This is one of the biggest benefits of RPA for manufacturing sector. As this technology reduces human intervention, the chances of errors are reduced significantly.
It is possible to integrate software bots with security tools to protect sensitive data and get alerts in real time. RPA systems generate audit trials for monitoring all activities and following compliance.
All these benefits lead to more competitiveness and profitability for manufacturing companies.
Common Use Cases of RPA in Manufacturing
RPA can bring a paradigm shift from a physical ecosystem to a software environment. Here we mention popular, real-world use cases of RPA in manufacturing-
Invoice Processing
The invoice processing involves several repetitive steps. When it comes to the manufacturing sector, it requires coordination between multiple people. The role of RPA in handling this process includes-
- Check and compare invoices against orders
- Converting the data into a structured format
- Identify duplicate invoices
- Update the invoice in the company’s system
Inventory Management
One of the most common applications of RPA is managing stocks and getting real-time information. RPA-powered bots can automate the processes including
- Order Placement
- Receipt Creation
- Tracking Stock Levels
- Responding to Quotations
Data Migration
The manufacturing sector needs regular upgrades to remain competent and data can play a vital role in it. RPA can ensure consistency in several business procedures by handling data migration tasks including-
- Conversion of paper-based to digital system
- Accelerate migration while reducing the chances of errors
- Monitoring the migration process and identifying inconsistencies
- Reducing human intervention to save costs and time
Back Office Task Automation
RPA is useful in automating laborious administrative tasks including
- Recording and documentation of MoM
- Scheduling meeting
- Sending Reminders and Notices or Alerts
- Responding to Emails
Quality Control
Automation tools are useful in ensuring the quality of products in the manufacturing sector. RPA bots can handle the tasks related to QC including-
- Identifying potential issues
- Finding and flagging products with issues
- Generating QC reports
- Collecting data at various stages of production
Other major use cases of RPA in manufacturing are in inventory and supply chain management. However, it is fair to mention that the implementation of RPA is challenging. A reputed RPA solutions provider needs to follow some best practices to address these challenges effectively.
Challenges of Implementing RPA in Manufacturing
Complexity and interrelated processes are key challenges in the manufacturing industry. When it comes to integrating RPA with existing systems, these challenges become more critical. Manufacturers also need to ensure a seamless data flow across different business systems and networks for a successful RPA execution.
Internal resistance is another challenge for manufacturers. Employees may consider automation as a threat to job security and raise concerns. Effective change management strategies can help you neutralize this challenge. It is always beneficial to include the workforce in RPA implementation.
RPA Implementation Best Practices to Overcome Challenges
Successful RPA implementation can be a game-changer for any manufacturing company. Here we give four best practices for ensuring effective implementation that can overcome various challenges.
Detailed Process Discovery
It starts with analyzing existing processes. You need to focus on tasks that are highly repetitive and rule-based. It is essential to ensure that the RPA solution addresses real business requirements.
Evaluate Automation Needs
This step involves the consideration of emerging technologies. It is better to find complicated tasks with unstructured data to involve AI, NLP, and other future-ready technologies in the RPA solution.
Select the Right Solution
This is the most crucial step for ensuring effective implementation. Manufacturers need to choose the most suitable RPA solution for automating the process. You can consult a leading RPA services provider for assistance.
Conduct Cost-Benefit Analysis
Finally, you need to estimate associated costs accurately with considering ROI. You can also monitor the performance of the RPA solution continuously and make adjustments as necessary.
Hope these best practices will help you get rid of implementation challenges.
Future of RPA in Manufacturing
The future trends of RPA will see more integration with emerging technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT). This combination will bring highly intelligent and autonomous systems ready for changing conditions and making real-time decisions.
RPA will also play a crucial role in enabling Industry 4.0 initiatives such as predictive maintenance, supply chain optimization, and quality control.
Furthermore, RPA will become more accessible and easier to use in the manufacturing industry. The LCNC (Low Code No Code) platforms and tools will empower a wider range of employees to develop and deploy automation solutions.
As this technology continues to evolve, it will become indispensable for manufacturers to drive growth in a challenging business scenario.
Concluding Remarks
The penetration of RPA software is increasing every day in the manufacturing industry. This technology is useful in back office management, inventory management, supply chain management, quality control, and other departments of the company. However, it is imperative to follow the best practices to implement RPA successfully in the manufacturing company.
Silver Touch Technologies is a trusted RPA services provider. We offer customized RPA solutions with effective implementation, maintenance, upgradation, and support services to manufacturing companies globally. Contact us to learn more about our RPA services and solutions.
FAQs
What is the scope of RPA in the manufacturing industry?
RPA can automate repetitive tasks, improve productivity, and enhance efficiency in manufacturing. It has a significant ROI, with a payback of up to 250% within the first few quarters of implementation.
What are the key benefits of RPA in manufacturing?
RPA drives revenue growth, saves time, increases productivity, promotes innovation, ensures sustainability, and helps in risk management and compliance.
What are some common use cases of RPA in manufacturing?
RPA is widely used for tasks like invoice processing, inventory management, data migration, back-office task automation, and quality control in manufacturing.
What challenges do manufacturers face when implementing RPA?
Challenges include the complexity of integrating RPA with existing systems, ensuring seamless data flow, and addressing employee resistance to automation.
What are the best practices for successful RPA implementation in manufacturing?
Best practices include detailed process discovery, evaluating automation needs, selecting the right solution, and conducting a cost-benefit analysis to ensure effective implementation.
