RPA Perceptions and Adoption
RPA tools automate repetitive tasks by using “software robots” to perform business processes that would otherwise be undertaken by human employees. But have decision-makers chosen to adopt RPA tools yet?
One minute insights:
Those using RPA tools are mostly satisfied with their performance, and would recommend their tool to peers
UiPath and Automation Anywhere are the most popular RPA tool vendors
Reduced errors considered the main benefit of RPA, while integration is the biggest challenge
The most sought-after features of RPA tools are centralized dashboards and low-code/no-code capabilities
Decision-makers agree that organizations using RPA have an advantage over those that don’t, but also agree organizational labor structures may be impacted
Most decision-makers have already adopted RPA tools and they plan to invest more in RPA over the next year
Over three-quarters (77%) report that RPA tools are being used in their organization.
Are you currently using any robotic process automation (RPA) tools in your organization?
For those who are already using RPA tools, most (64%) are expecting to increase their RPA investments over the next 12 months.
Will your RPA investments increase over the next 12 months?º
0% Significant decrease
n = 181
[RPA] can take some time and e ort to start and then to reap the real benefits from [ … ] be open to making adjustments as you learn more.
Those using RPA tools are satisfied and would recommend them to their peers
Two-thirds (66%) of decision-makers are satisfied with their RPA tool(s) so far. Only 2% are dissatisfied.
How satisfied are you with the success of your RPA tool(s) so far?
An overwhelming 90% of decision-makers would recommend their RPA tools to their peers.
How likely are you to recommend your RPA tools to your peers?
Mindset shift is the toughest part of the RPA journey. A few quick wins are needed to get buy-in.
UiPath and Automation Anywhere are the most popular RPA tools vendors
The most popular RPA tools are UiPath RPA (31%) and Automation Anywhere RPA (29%).
However, it should be noted that 10% of decision-makers selected “none of these,” reflecting the range of RPA vendors available.
Do you use tools from any of the following RPA vendors?
SAP Intelligent Robotic Processes Automation (RPA) 14%, None of these 10%, Pega Platform 9%, Intelligent Automation Cloud (WorkFusion) 9%, Appian RPA 8%, TruBot (Datamatics) 5%, XceleratorOne Robotic Process Automation (Servicetrace) 4%, Nintex RPA 3%, Redwood Business Process Automation 3%, Full-Cycle Automation as-a-Service (Kryon) 3%, akaBot 2%, Laiye RPA 1%, Other 1%
n = 181
While most (31%) aren’t planning on purchasing any of the tools on this list, UiPath RPA (18%) is the most popular choice for those that are, followed by Automation Anywhere RPA (17%).
From the same list, are you planning on purchasing RPA tools from any of the following vendors? (n = 181)
SAP Intelligent Robotic Processes Automation 10%, WinAutomation / Power Automate (Softomotive / Microsoft) 10%, Intelligent Automation Cloud (WorkFusion) 9%, Appian RPA 6%, Pega Platform 6%, Full-Cycle Automation as-a-Service (Kryon) 4%, akaBot 3%, TruBot (Datamatics) 3%, Nintex RPA 3%, Redwood Business Process Automation 2%, XceleratorOne Robotic Process Automation (Servicetrace) 2%, Laiye RPA 1%, Other 1%
[RPA implementation] is a lengthy and di icult process, contrary to how it is marketed. But it is worth it.
Most of those who don’t currently use any RPA tools are planning to, and most are using some form of automation tools
While 66% are planning to implement RPA tools in the future, that leaves over a third (35%) who have no RPA implementation plans ahead.
Are you planning to implement any RPA tools?
n = 55
Most decision-makers are using other forms of manual task automation tools, even if they aren’t using RPA tools.
Do you use other forms of manual task automation tools?
n = 55
We are eagerly exploring RPA and how it can benefit our organization.
Reduced errors and increased productivity are the most cited benefits of RPA, with the integration the biggest challenge
For most decision-makers, the top advantages of using RPA tools are reduced errors (73%), increased employee productivity (60%), and reduced costs (58%)
Which of the following do you believe are the top advantages of using RPA tools?
Reduced project timelines 29%, Increased employee satisfaction/morale 27%, Reduced training 19%, None of these 3%, Other 0%
The top challenge to adopting RPA for most decision-makers is integration (56%), followed by costs (48%) and workforce replacement fears (43%).
What are your perceived challenges of adopting RPA?
Training requirements 27%, Compliance 25%, Vendor relationships 17%, None of these 1%, Other 0%
RPA is an enabler and an accelerator for reducing recurring tasks and enabling employees to focus on high impact/value activities.
[RPA has] been a game changer for us but has met with significant adoption challenges due to people fearing for their jobs.
Centralized dashboards the most sought-after RPA feature, with pricing the top deciding factor when choosing a vendor
The features decision-makers most want in RPA tools are centralized dashboards (53%), low-code/no-code capabilities (50%), and open APIs (50%).
What features do you most want to see in RPA tools?
Scalability 43%, Out-of-the-box capabilities (e.g., pre-built bots) 42%, Enhanced integrations 40%, Remote collaboration 29%, None of these 2%, Other 0%
When considering RPA vendors, decision-makers consider pricing (68%), features (61%), and integration assistance (49%) to be the most important factors.
Technical materials 36%,
Analyst recognition (e.g., Gartner’s Magic Quadrant) 30%,
Contract type 25%,
Experience with sales representatives (e.g., phone calls, demos) 20%,
Marketing campaigns 7%,
None of these 1%, Other 0%
[RPA has been] more costly and labor intensive than promised.
There’s agreement that using RPA tools puts organization in an advantageous position—but there’s also a belief that organizational labor structures will be impacted
Over three-quarters (76%) of decision-makers agree that using RPA tools gives organizations an advantage over those that don’t.
To what extent do you agree with the following: “Organizations using RPA tools have advantages over those that don’t.”
The most commonly held opinion among decision-makers is that RPA tools have the potential to make an impact on organizational labor structures (44%).
Which statement do you agree with:
I believe automation always leads to fewer workers.
“There needs to be a fine balance between the amount of access you give to your general business users, and the ability to maintain it in the future. Depending on how tech savvy and willing to maintain the system themselves a different department may be, you may find that — for example — marketing who are quite tech savvy can manage their own automations, but finance, who are less so and have a heavy regulatory overhead, need everything they do to be run by an IT or automation team.
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Respondent Breakdown
