Svetlana ANISIMOVA: “currently, the market suffers from a lack of RPA specialists”Gennady Belas | 07.10.2020
Svetlana ANISIMOVA
CEO UiPath in Russia and the CIS
Interview
Software robots. Automate processes using software robots (RPA – Robotic Process Automation) is the use of special applications that can work with other
business applications, simulating human actions, such as interaction with the interfaces of information systems or data, performing certain operations in accordance with predetermined algorithms
information processing.
Features RPA processes
How many vendors are now working on the market RPA in Russia?
In my estimation, actively working three or four companies, and there are about a dozen. And we are almost every quarter we see some new name. Somehow people think that to write a software robot and
to start to sell it very easily. But life shows that it is not. Moreover, customer requirements are becoming so customized that to match them all the more difficult. And this apparent
simplicity, of course, misleads many. In Russia there is no significant presence of Western RPA-vendors. But we have Russian competitors who, because of legal preferences
actively developing. However, the quality of development they do not yet rise to the term “market leader”. Among Western companies we are the only company with such deep expertise in RPA.
How difficult is it to automate the RPA process, without using vendor tools?
Well, it’s a normal conversation with the pros who say that they are now themselves create the owl solution. It’s like riding a bike: you can download the manual and, perhaps, to create this bike, but
but why? It has already been invented and is not as “Mercedes” – you can afford to buy it, and it will be economically justified. The simplest RPA process using UiPath can
create in just a few hours. But the periods depend, first, on the skill of the programmer, and secondly, the complexity of the task, and thirdly, from the uniqueness of the task.
Then what is the benefits of your solutions?
Here you can list a number. UiPath is the only world leader in the segment of RPA in Russia, and we have the largest number of successful installations here in the middle
abroad. In our marketplace there are already ready integration to most enterprise systems. To see how well the product is easy to learn, it is possible to study materials in Russian
free online Academy. All of this shows how we are open and ready to cooperate. We managed to collect a large enough user community the technology with which we are actively
communicate: our professionals you can ask questions and in the course of regular mitapov, and even just the messengers.
How is it possible to classify all of these solutions make it easier to find the one that will help solve the problem of the customer?
RPA is a thing applied on other than vertical. Now we do not see pronounced industrial specifics on RPA-solutions: that is not to say that, for example, for problems of oil supplies such as for
banks here are. There is more horizontal story. For example, for accounting, there are acts of reconciliation to a Bank or an oil company they will be the same. And, as this routine
and many times repeating, it is very well placed on software robots. And then you need to consider the details. Because, despite the fact that the process of reconciliation acts, at first glance, everywhere
the same, all the same from business to business, but slightly different. So to take an already written and the process of simply moving from one company to another is unlikely to succeed. Comes to mind the analogy with
fingerprints. All people have fingers but fingerprints, each is completely unique. That is, there are always small nuances, and always have something little to alter. And there is a large
the question what is easier-to alter someone’s existing process or write a new one from scratch, the more it does not require huge costs neither time nor human resources. Therefore, as
it is usually easier to create the RPA process again.
Who develops library RPA solutions and how they are available? Need to pay for them or are they free?
Paying for them is not necessary. We have a marketplace where you can download the solutions that I write not only ourselves but also our customers and partners. You are downloading the connector which connects our
robot with your system. And all this is freely available.
Any entity engaged in the standardization of RPA robots? If Yes, how important it is to adhere to these standards developers RPA solutions?
A special state body that would regulate RPA does not exist. Here is the usual patch that fall under all the restrictions and regulation that are on the market.
Working with RPA partners
Your company has finished cases for various lines of business to show potential customers the effectiveness of the RPA in their industry?
Our database many case studies describing the specifics of horizontal functions such as accounting, logistics, Finance, HR have many recurring transactions. It is, as I said, acts
verification, issuing of forms W-2, the design staff, checking of contractors. That is, tasks which are now being successfully addressed robots. These cases already calculated, for example, you can make sure
the efficiency of using robots.
More active transition of retail online sales does the development of the RPA solutions in this area?
Perhaps, Yes. Just because what happened in the last six months, very much spurred us all. After all, many businesses were not able to work, they began to look for an alternative
how to ensure continuity of staff cannot be physically present in the workplace? And this is a challenge that is perfectly placed on the robots. So I would say wider
– that the trend that we are seeing in the market, have occurred largely due covid-19. Before these events we talked a lot about digitization, but it did little. And then everything quickly
moved, these events are very much inspired, including the topic of robotics.
What industry made more use of RPA solutions? And, may be, in connection with covid-19 some new industry added?
It’s retail, banks, insurance companies, and metallurgy. Oil and gas also tightened. In principle, all industries, just all moving at different speeds. Because we have historically,
many business processes are bureaucratic. And, when you come to any enterprise, once you understand – there is something to give to the robot. Just because they have a lack of resources. But
the question of readiness, of openness and understanding… let’s just Say, it is very important at the first stage within the company to have a person who is promoted. If there is no such person, it is unlikely that the idea
the robotics will take off. But, again, in principle, everyone is ready.
As the Russian partner companies use software UiPath?
Now, probably about 30. But actively working who have ongoing projects, I would call 10 companies.
AI helps to create software robots
How to use artificial intelligence in RPA technology?
I really like the analogy that holds the founder UiPath Daniel Dines. He says that this technology is similar to the brain and hands. RPA’s hands, and AI brain. Usually hands can do
just what the brain ordered. If we see the hands of some intelligence, the effect is huge. The technology is now expanding and actively incorporates components AI, or AI
incorporates the functions of RPA. So I’m sure this is the direction of the future. Now we have a product for quick contact RPA processes with algorithms of machine
training.
Your employees and customers use AI in their RPA solutions?
Of course. And the simplest thing we use is called intelligent document recognition. This is the most standard thing that we have on the input document and the system needs it
recognize, read and post read by certain cells. AI has become so common that we even stopped to notice. Systems become more complex, and the desire to use it at different stages
process only increases. Just now, the problem is not even part of the RPA, namely the willingness of the AI systems to perform certain functions, and in the willingness of businesses to use AI.
Can a single robot to perform multiple processes? Do I need to do this separately to program?
Yes, each process is programmed separately. One robot uses one license, and if it is not mosagrogen, it may be loaded by other processes. And they will just run in
a particular priority.
Sale RPA
Please, tell us more about licensing.
You buy a license for a software robot that can take on a certain number of business processes. And if, for example, your robot is underutilized, you can charging
you need new processes. For example, the enterprise 100 of processes that fall under the robotics, but this does not mean that you need to buy 100 robots. It is possible that all of these processes
will fall on the shoulders of only 20 robots.
That is, you, as a vendor, selling software, and not ready RPA-processes?
Yes, we sell licenses to the RPA platform. In addition to the robot, even the Orchestrator and the various technologies. And as a customer will have to use this license, depends on himself, if heavy
processes will need to download multiple robots entirely, and if light, the robot will be able to run a few processes.
You with partners only work through distributors or sometimes directly?
We communicate with partners directly and actively advise and help, but license sales are made only through one of our distributor – the company “marvel”, which took
all the specifics of working with affiliate channel.
Teaching the creation of software robots
On the market there are few specialists with an extensive and qualitative examination of the implementation of the RPA solutions. How much time is needed to learn to become an expert, able to solve the RPA-problems
customers?
You are right, currently the market is experiencing a shortage of specialists RPA. The duration of training varies from vendor to vendor, working with the RPA-the developer, in some cases required skills
coding. But in the case of UiPath’s all quite simple. From our partners I heard that the RPA, the developer can be taught the basic operations in about a month, and that means he will be able
to create RPA processes.
And the robot will efficiently perform its task?
The question of quality depends not only on the RPA-developer, but from the description of the process, from initial data which are given in the problem statement.
What skills are required RPA expert?
In principle, speaking about the RPA-specialists, we need to understand who it is. We have RPA-developers, there are RPA-analysts, there are RPA-architects, there are project managers. Automating RPA process, they
should be well versed in the issues. But the level of analytical skills depends on performed by the employee functions. For RPA, the developer, that is, the person who develops the RPA process,
you should be familiar with algorithms, skills development. And that will be enough. RPA-the analyst will need to perform more analytical work, work with information and data. But, again,
it’s not rocket science and does not require deep training – fairly standard, ordinary things.
Do you spend your training partners at the PRA?
The company’s philosophy is that we try to be as open as possible and to create community, share knowledge, and to do it for free. So we have online courses where you
login and time convenient for you come to learn.
Courses by an instructor?
It is a course-type webinar: explains the practical things, it is proposed to perform certain tasks. You are studying a course in the rhythm that is convenient to you, and then become
a certified specialist. Lessons are conducted in Russian and English. We actively educate partners and customers, are so-called Academy online. Collect a
class of partners or customers, our presales consultants show you how to create the RPA processes and minimizing errors, helping to understand the complex cases.
To what extent are customers interested in such training? Maybe they look easier – made robot, it works and all?
Appetite comes while eating. Customers assess the efficiency of the introduced technologies pretty quickly. For example, banks or line managers in other industries who have a lot of routine
work when they find out what it can do for them a robot is usually very inspired and immediately want to have on your computer the digital RPA-assistant. This can be called the next stage of development
this technology is a noticeable and significant simplification of routine processes.
Whether has now sense to introduce a course RPA technology for students in the IT professions?
In this direction, we also are very active – we even have matching programs that we transfer to universities. On the market, as we have noted earlier, the shortage RPA, so
interest in such young professionals is growing and customers with great enthusiasm to take them to work.
What universities have you been working in this direction?
National research technological University “MISIS” and the Perm network IT-University – there read a special course on software robots.
Robotics, Vendors
Journal: Journal IT-News, Subscription to magazines
