The core foundation technology of automation - workflow technology
Since the main role of RPA is to solve the problem of business process automation, then workflow technology is its indispensable capability. Workflow technology is a set of technical solutions based on the theory and practice of business process management (BPM), which usually contains three parts: workflow design, workflow operation and workflow monitoring. Workflow techniques are typically used to control and manage the automatic transfer of documents between computers, rather than the automated processing of steps in a task.
RPA, on the other hand, accesses the application by manipulating the user interface, enabling continuous processing of business logic like a human user. In this process, the RPA needs to operate one or more interfaces, and each interface has to process some data items, which is considered a micro-level workflow processing. Therefore, RPA must have the relevant characteristics of workflow technology, such as process triggering, process nesting, branching (IF ELSE), looping, pause, cancel, delay and error handling, etc., and support the definition of constants and variables in the process.
Figure 1-1 Example of a flowchart in Automation Anywhere A2019
Workflow design
To better define and design workflows, RPA typically provides specialized workflow design tools to help users graphically define workflows, supports quick assembly of business processes in a drag-and-drop manner, automatically generates initial process records in a recorded manner, and provides functionality similar to historical version comparison. In general, RPA also has a built-in debugger and simulator for testing processes and running processes through logging.
The workflow runs
One type of workflow is sequential workflows, which provide a series of organized steps. In general, the steps are performed one by one. There may be steps that need to wait for certain events to occur before they can be executed; another type of workflow is a state machine workflow, which provides a series of states that begin in the initial state and end in the terminated state. A transition between two states is achieved by defining behaviors. Typically, state machine workflows react to events, and the occurrence of an event changes state.
Workflow monitoring
Process monitoring is the provision of a graphical way to configure processes and monitor process execution. Configuration functions include when the process starts, when events are triggered, which devices can execute, associations between processes, and so on. Monitoring functions include the operation of the process, the time spent at each link, the amount of business running, and the success or failure of execution. Real-time monitoring is relatively difficult, but employees can tell what's actually happening by tracking the process. For example, determine if a hotel room is available. With specific process analysis tools, employees can see in real time the rate of successful process executions or the number of failures of specific types of process executions, as well as see anomaly information in the process. With real-time monitoring, employees can identify problems in operation in a timely manner, helping managers to analyze automated business processes more effectively.
Figure 1-2 Queue monitoring interface in Automation Anywhere A2019