Robotic Process Automation (RPA) - Digitization and Automation of Processes: Prerequisites, functionality and implementation using accounting as an example

Preface to the First Edition
Preface Second Edition
Comments on the First Edition
Disclaimer
Contents
About the Authors
Abbreviations
List of Figures
1: Introduction
	References
2: Basics of Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
	2.1	 What Is RPA?
	2.2	 Motivations for the Use of RPA
		2.2.1	 Technological Motivations
		2.2.2	 Operational and Economic Motivations
	2.3	 Limitations and Disadvantages of RPA
	2.4	 Central Terms in the Context of RPA
	Literature
3: Introduction of RPA in Financial and Management Accounting
	3.1	 Phase Model for the Introduction of RPA
		3.1.1	 Proof-of-Concept as a Starting Point (PoC)
		3.1.2	 Ramp-Up, Scale & Institutionalize and Mature & Innovate
	3.2	 Selection of Suitable Processes for RPA
		3.2.1	 Selection Criteria for Processes
			3.2.1.1	 Minimum Criteria
			3.2.1.2	 Additional Criteria
			3.2.1.3	 Specific Criteria
			3.2.1.4	 Scoring Model for Process Evaluation
			3.2.1.5	 Examples of Selection Criteria from Practice
		3.2.2	 Process Optimization Before Automation
		3.2.3	 RPA-Heatmaps for Central Processes in Financial and Management Accounting
	3.3	 RPA Vendors and Architecture
		3.3.1	 Structure of an RPA Architecture
		3.3.2	 Overview of Leading RPA Vendors
		3.3.3	 Combination of RPA with Other Digitization Technologies
	3.4	 RPA Roles
		3.4.1	 RPA Business Analyst
		3.4.2	 RPA Developer & Citizen Developer
		3.4.3	 RPA Architect
		3.4.4	 RPA Support
		3.4.5	 Summary Overview of RPA Roles
		3.4.6	 Examples of an RPA Role Model from Practice
		3.4.7	 Relationship Between RPA Roles and Roles in Financial and Management Accounting
	3.5	 RPA Governance
		3.5.1	 Basics of RPA Governance
		3.5.2	 Monitoring and Control of RPA
		3.5.3	 Compliance and Data Protection in the Use of RPA
		3.5.4	 RPA Board
	3.6	 RPA Operating Model
		3.6.1	 Basics of the Operating Model for RPA
		3.6.2	 Operating Models for RPA
			3.6.2.1	 Centralized Operating Model for RPA
			3.6.2.2	 Decentralized Operating Model for RPA
			3.6.2.3	 Hybrid Operating Model for RPA
			3.6.2.4	 Comparison of the Operating Models
		3.6.3	 RPA Development Approaches Within the Operating Models
		3.6.4	 Software-as-a-Service Approach for RPA
	3.7	 RPA-Specific Change Management
		3.7.1	 Basics of Change Management
		3.7.2	 Impact of the Introduction of RPA on Employees
		3.7.3	 Arousing Employee Enthusiasm for RPA
		3.7.4	 Successfully Embedding RPA in the Organisation
		3.7.5	 Knowledge Management for RPA
	3.8	 RPA Performance Measurement
	Literature
4: From RPA to IPA: How Software Robots Are Becoming Smarter
	4.1	 Evolution from RPA to IPA
	4.2	 Technologies in Use at IPA
		4.2.1	 Technologies for ‘Seeing’
			4.2.1.1	 Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
			4.2.1.2	 Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR)
			4.2.1.3	 Computer Vision
			4.2.1.4	 Application Example RPA & OCR/ICR
		4.2.2	 Technologies for ‘Speaking’
			4.2.2.1	 Natural Language Processing (NLP) & Natural Language Understanding (NLU)
			4.2.2.2	 Natural Language Generation (NLG)
			4.2.2.3	 Application Example RPA & NLG
		4.2.3	 Technologies for Thinking & Learning
			4.2.3.1	 Process Mining
			4.2.3.2	 Machine Learning
			4.2.3.3	 Application Example RPA & Machine Learning
	Literature
5: RPA in Practice: Results of an Empirical Study
	5.1	 Data Collection and Database
		5.1.1	 Data Collection
		5.1.2	 Composition of the Database
	5.2	 Results of the Empirical Investigation
		5.2.1	 Scaling and Experience with RPA
		5.2.2	 Effect of RPA on Success
		5.2.3	 Selection of Suitable Processes for RPA
			5.2.3.1	 Preparation of Processes for RPA
			5.2.3.2	 Process Complexity in RPA
			5.2.3.3	 Relevant Functional Areas for RPA
			5.2.3.4	 Excursus: Use of RPA for Processes in Finance, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting
			5.2.3.5	 Activities Performed by RPA Within Processes
		5.2.4	 RPA Platforms and Types
			5.2.4.1	 Single vs. Multiple RPA Platforms
			5.2.4.2	 Attended vs. Unattended RPA
			5.2.4.3	 RPA vs. IPA
		5.2.5	 RPA Governance
			5.2.5.1	 Components of an RPA Governance
			5.2.5.2	 RPA Testing
		5.2.6	 RPA Operating Model
			5.2.6.1	 Selection of the RPA Operating Dodel
			5.2.6.2	 Involvement of the IT Department
			5.2.6.3	 Involvement of External Consultants
		5.2.7	 RPA-Specific Change Management
			5.2.7.1	 Communication and Change Management Measures
			5.2.7.2	 RPA Training
			5.2.7.3	 Top Management Support for RPA
		5.2.8	 RPA Performance Measurement
	Literature
6: Application Examples for RPA in Financial and Management Accounting
	6.1	 Monthly Reporting in Management Accounting
	6.2	 Invoice Dispatch at the KION Group
	6.3	 Application Processing at KfW
	6.4	 Preparation of the Quarterly Closing Report at Union Investment
	6.5	 Accounting for Accruals and Deferrals
	6.6	 Cost Allocation in Cost Accounting
	6.7	 Electronic Booking Document at Heraeus
	6.8	 Creation and Validation of Upload Files
	Literature
7: Conclusion and Outlook