Robotic Process Automation A Productivity Tool LBRE Finance

Robotic Process Automation A Productivity Tool LBRE Finance POC Experiences with UIPath December 2020

Session Topics • Robotic Process Automation – What is it? – Gartner defines it “as licensed software tool to integrate any application via user interface to automate routine, predictable tasks using structured digital data. ” • Using low code software as a productivity tool to automate and orchestrate common tasks

Session Topics • Original Motivation – Be able to transfer data from one system to another with no API available from the source system • Demo - Extract invoice packs, split and upload – No programming resources immediately available – “low cost” way to mimic what a user does – see how robust RPA/UIPath is Demo i. Compleat to Oracle

Experiences • LBRE Finance Use Cases for POC – Scrape from an existing web form and update to an API (Leave Requests, retired for API) – Update an existing Excel worksheet with PO data – On demand update an Excel worksheet exported from one system (Projecto) with data from another system (Oracle Financials)

Experiences • LBRE Finance Use Cases for POC – Export invoice packs from a cloud based vendor, split the packs into individual invoices and upload to Oracle Financials for payment (LBRE P 2 P) – Process a spreadsheet attachment sent by email (Event Services) – EOM execution of SQL queries for audit purposes – Extract information from emails and update an Excel worksheet for work scheduling (Maps&Recs)

Experiences • All POCs are tactical solutions (aka low hanging fruit) – There are more complex use cases UIPath should be able to handle • Orchestration, Document Understanding (ML), UIPath API’s, Long Running Workflows, Human in the Loop, AI Fabric • UIPath as a Power Users tool at the department level – For tactical automation • • Swivel chair Mass update Repetitive tasks A bridging solution – Promotes a deeper understanding of your processes which can lead to better requirements for professionally crafted solutions

Experiences • Why did you chose UIPath? – Honest answer? I saw a Youtube video of it working with an Oracle EBusiness Suite Java app • Have you looked at other vendors? – No. Haven’t had the time and, UIPath has been able to meet whatever POCs I’ve thrown at it • Full disclosure, I do have a programming background but if I told you the languages you could guess my age : -o

Thoughts and Discussion • Why is RPA / UIPath an advantage – You’re using what is already available – Professional development resource schedules are maxxed • Prioritization can be a problem – Some projects are too small • Potential barriers to adoption – Too busy and it’s not my job – I don’t have time for a learning curve – I’m not a programmer • The “code” is like Excel macros using VBA/C# – What if I get stuck • • Community of Practice + Slack Channel (idea) Youtube UIPath Forum is very active + UIPath Academy (Free) Google – Who’s going to pay for the RPA software?

Thoughts and Discussion • Are you interested? – Think this could be applied in your area? • What use cases do you think you’d POC? • kjhchang@stanford. edu • Ken Chang – Thank you