Think RPA is only for the large enterprise? Absolutely NOT! Based upon recent studies, it is estimated that almost half of SMBs in the United States have implemented RPA in their business or scaled it across multiple parts of the organization. Over half of SMBs in the United States are investigating or have already tried RPA on a small scale.
Several functions within these organizations are realizing tangible benefits from RPA. RPA usage is strongest within Business Operations and IT / Technology. However, more than half of SMBs in the US are also using RPA within Finance / Accounting, Procurement and HR.
Because of the benefits they are observing, the vast majority (94%) of SMBs in the US plan to use RPA “much more” or “a little more” in the next two years. Not a single company interviewed stated that they planned to use RPA less in the coming years.
In the United States, SMBs prefer a hybrid approach when it comes to the installation of RPA software. 47% of companies interviewed are installing RPA software on employee computer terminals as well as on company server(s). US companies also seem to be more comfortable than their international peers when it comes to using the cloud, with three- quarters of companies surveyed accessing RPA through the cloud.
The benefits these SMBs are realizing through RPA are encouraging. The top three benefits of using RPA cited include:
- Improved productivity,
- Better accuracy (i.e., reducing human error), and
- Lower operating costs.
Although any one of these benefits alone is often enough reason for SMBs to begin leveraging RPA, most are realizing multiple benefits.
SMBs do face some challenges when implementing RPA. SMBs in the United States are most concerned about data security and service reliability when implementing an RPA solution. 50% of SMBs in the United States surveyed are investigating or have already tried RPA on a small scale.
Because of the benefits they are observing, the vast majority (94%) of SMBs in the US plan to use RPA “much more” or “a little more” in the next two years. Not a single company interviewed stated that they planned to use RPA less in the coming years.