Low-Code vs. RPA: Which One is Right for Your Business?

The need for automation has become a must for every business to get ahead in the competition. And why not? It helps in the process of streamlining the operations and also enhancing the overall efficiency of the business. But, while moving to automation they have to choose on methodology and they are Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and low-code development platforms. 

Both the technologies can automate the tasks and make it easy to deal with the challenges. If you are confused about which way to go, then below we discuss all the differences and make it easy for you to make the decision.

The need for automation has become a must for every business to get ahead in the competition. And why not? It helps in the process of streamlining the operations and also enhancing the overall efficiency of the business. But, while moving to automation they have to choose on methodology and they are Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and low-code development platforms. 

Both the technologies can automate the tasks and make it easy to deal with the challenges. If you are confused about which way to go, then below we discuss all the differences and make it easy for you to make the decision.

The Rise of Automation: What You Must Know

Modern companies are defined by ever rising data volumes, sophisticated processes, and agility requirements as well as by ever growing complexity. In this setting, companies trying to remain competitive now consider automation as a strategic need. Leading players in this revolution of automation include RPA and low-code systems.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has lately become somewhat popular. RPA is the automated, rule-based, repetitive, human-typically performed operations made possible by software robots, or bots. Emulating operations like data entry, form filling, and report generating, these bots may interact with current systems and applications in the same manner a human user would.

Stats related to RPA:

• The global RPA market is projected to reach $30.95 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 30.4% from 2022.
• 78% of organizations have already implemented RPA or are planning to do so in the near future.
• RPA can reduce operational costs by up to 80% in some cases.
• RPA can improve employee productivity by up to 50%.
• 90% of organizations using RPA have seen improvements in accuracy and compliance.

Low code vs. RPA: Key Differences

Feature	Low-Code Development	Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Focus	Building applications and automating end-to-end processes	Automating repetitive, rule-based tasks
Development	Visual development environment with pre-built components and drag-and-drop interfaces	Configuration of software robots to mimic human actions
Coding Required	Minimal coding; primarily visual modeling	No coding required for basic automation; may require scripting for complex scenarios
Integration	Built-in connectors and APIs for seamless integration with various systems	Interacts with existing systems through the user interface
Scalability	Highly scalable; can handle complex and large-scale applications	Scalability can be limited; may require multiple bots for high-volume tasks
Flexibility	Highly flexible; can be customized to meet specific business needs	Less flexible; limited to automating predefined tasks
Use Cases	Building custom applications, automating complex workflows, digital transformation	Automating data entry, form filling, report generation, and other repetitive tasks
Skillset	Business analysts, citizen developers, IT professionals	Business users, IT professionals with basic scripting skills
Change Management	Requires careful planning and change management	Can be implemented quickly with minimal disruption to existing systems

Pros and Cons of RPA and Low Code

Feature	RPA	Low-Code
Pros	– Quick implementation	– Faster development cycles
	– Reduced operational costs	– Greater flexibility and customization
	– Improved accuracy and compliance	– Improved collaboration between business and IT
	– Non-invasive; works with existing systems	– Enhanced scalability
	– Increased efficiency for repetitive tasks	– Reduced dependency on IT
Cons	– Limited scalability	– Requires a learning curve
	– Can be brittle and prone to errors if underlying systems change	– May not be suitable for highly complex or specialized applications
	– Limited to automating predefined tasks	– Governance and security need to be carefully managed
	– Requires ongoing maintenance and monitoring	– Can lead to shadow IT if not properly managed
	– Not suitable for complex, end-to-end process automation	– Vendor lock-in can be a concern

Key criteria to choose between No code and RPA?

Choosing between low-code and RPA requires a thorough understanding of your business needs, technical capabilities, and long-term goals. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as the best solution depends on the specific context of your organization.

Here are the key criteria to consider

1. Nature of the Task:
   • RPA: Ideal for automating repetitive, rule-based tasks that involve interacting with existing systems through their user interfaces. Think of tasks like data entry, report generation, invoice processing, and claims processing.
   • Low-Code: Best suited for building custom applications and automating end-to-end processes that require more complex logic, data integration, and user interfaces. Consider using low-code for tasks like customer relationship management (CRM), supply chain management, and employee onboarding.
2. Complexity of the Process:
   • RPA: Works well for simple, well-defined processes with clear inputs and outputs.
   • Low-Code: Can handle more complex processes that involve multiple steps, decision points, and integrations with various systems.
3. Integration Requirements:
   • RPA: Integrates with existing systems through the user interface, which can be a quick and easy way to automate tasks without modifying the underlying systems.
   • Low-Code: Offers built-in connectors and APIs for seamless integration with various systems, allowing for more robust and efficient data exchange.
4. Scalability Needs:
   • RPA: Scalability can be limited, as each bot can only handle one task at a time. Scaling up RPA may require deploying multiple bots, which can increase costs and complexity.
   • Low-Code: Highly scalable, as applications built on low-code platforms can handle large volumes of data and users.
5. Customization Requirements:
   • RPA: Limited customization options, as bots are designed to mimic human actions within existing systems.
   • Low-Code: Highly customizable, allowing you to tailor applications to meet your specific business needs.
6. Technical Skills:
   • RPA: Can be implemented by business users with basic IT skills, as no coding is required for basic automation.
   • Low-Code: Requires some technical expertise, but the visual development environment makes it accessible to a wider range of users, including business analysts and citizen developers.
7. Long-Term Goals:
   • RPA: A tactical solution for automating specific tasks and improving efficiency in the short term.
   • Low-Code: A strategic solution for building custom applications and automating end-to-end processes, enabling digital transformation and long-term growth.

By carefully considering these criteria, you can determine whether RPA, low-code, or a combination of both is the right choice for your business.

When to Choose RPA?

RPA is the ideal choice when your business needs to automate repetitive, rule-based tasks that are performed by humans. These tasks often involve interacting with existing systems through their user interfaces, such as data entry, form filling, and report generation. RPA is particularly well-suited for scenarios where:

• The task is highly repetitive and rule-based: RPA excels at automating tasks that follow a predictable set of rules and procedures. If the task involves a lot of manual effort and is prone to human error, RPA can significantly improve efficiency and accuracy.
• The task involves interacting with multiple systems: RPA bots can be configured to interact with various systems and applications, such as ERP, CRM, and legacy systems, without requiring any changes to the underlying systems.
• The task is time-consuming and costly: RPA can automate tasks that take up a significant amount of time and resources, freeing up employees to focus on more strategic and value-added activities.
• The task requires high accuracy and compliance: RPA bots can perform tasks with a high degree of accuracy and consistency, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• The task does not require complex decision-making: RPA is not well-suited for tasks that require human judgment, creativity, or problem-solving skills.
• You need a quick and easy solution: RPA can be implemented relatively quickly and easily, without requiring significant changes to your existing IT infrastructure.

Here are some specific examples of when to choose RPA:

• Automating invoice processing: RPA bots can extract data from invoices, validate it against purchase orders, and enter it into accounting systems.
• Automating claims processing: RPA bots can extract data from claim forms, verify eligibility, and process payments.
• Automating data entry: RPA bots can enter data from various sources into databases and spreadsheets.
• Automating report generation: RPA bots can generate reports from various systems and distribute them to stakeholders.
• Automating customer service inquiries: RPA bots can answer common customer inquiries and resolve simple issues.

Benefits of Choosing RPA

• Increased efficiency: RPA can automate tasks that would otherwise take hours or days to complete manually.
• Reduced costs: RPA can reduce operational costs by automating tasks and freeing up employees to focus on more strategic activities.
• Improved accuracy: RPA bots can perform tasks with a high degree of accuracy and consistency, reducing the risk of errors.
• Enhanced compliance: RPA can help organizations comply with regulatory requirements by automating tasks and ensuring data integrity.
• Improved employee satisfaction: RPA can free up employees from mundane and repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on more challenging and rewarding work.

Considerations when choosing RPA

• Scalability: RPA can be challenging to scale, as each bot can only handle one task at a time.
• Maintenance: RPA bots require ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure they are working correctly.
• Security: RPA bots can be vulnerable to security threats, so it’s important to implement appropriate security measures.

When to Choose Low Code?

Low-code development platforms are the preferred choice when your business needs to build custom applications and automate end-to-end processes that require more complex logic, data integration, and user interfaces. Low-code is particularly well-suited for scenarios where:

• You need to build custom applications: Low-code platforms provide a visual development environment that allows you to create applications tailored to your specific business needs.
• You need to automate complex workflows: Low-code platforms can handle more complex processes that involve multiple steps, decision points, and integrations with various systems.
• You need to integrate with multiple systems: Low-code platforms offer built-in connectors and APIs for seamless integration with various systems, allowing for more robust and efficient data exchange.
• You need to create a user-friendly interface: Low-code platforms provide drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-built components that make it easy to create user-friendly applications.
• You need to empower citizen developers: Low-code platforms enable business users with limited coding experience to participate in the development process.
• You need to accelerate development cycles: Low-code platforms can significantly reduce development time, allowing you to deliver applications faster.

Here are some specific examples of when to choose low-code:

• Building a customer relationship management (CRM) system: Low-code platforms can be used to build custom CRM systems that meet the specific needs of your sales and marketing teams.
• Building a supply chain management system: Low-code platforms can be used to build custom supply chain management systems that streamline operations and improve efficiency.
• Building an employee onboarding system: Low-code platforms can be used to build custom employee onboarding systems that automate the onboarding process and improve the employee experience.
• Building a project management system: Low-code platforms can be used to build custom project management systems that help teams collaborate and track progress.
• Building a mobile app: Low-code platforms can be used to build mobile apps for various purposes, such as customer engagement, employee productivity, and field service management.

Benefits of Choosing Low-Code

• Faster development cycles: Low-code platforms can significantly reduce development time, allowing you to deliver applications faster.
• Greater flexibility and customization: Low-code platforms allow you to tailor applications to meet your specific business needs.
• Improved collaboration: Low-code platforms enable business users and IT professionals to collaborate more effectively on application development.
• Reduced dependency on IT: Low-code platforms empower citizen developers to participate in the development process, reducing the burden on IT.
• Enhanced scalability: Low-code platforms are highly scalable, allowing you to handle large volumes of data and users.

Considerations when choosing Low-Code

• Learning curve: Low-code platforms require a learning curve, as users need to familiarize themselves with the visual development environment and the platform’s features.
• Governance: Low-code platforms require careful governance to ensure that applications are developed in a consistent and secure manner.
• Vendor lock-in: Low-code platforms can lead to vendor lock-in, as you become dependent on the platform provider.

How RPA and Low Code Works Together?

While RPA and low-code platforms are distinct technologies with different strengths, they can be used together to achieve comprehensive automation. In many cases, RPA and low code are complementary technologies that can be combined to create powerful automation solutions.

RPA can be used to automate specific tasks within a larger end-to-end process that is managed by a low-code platform. For example, a low-code application could be used to manage a customer onboarding process, while RPA bots could be used to automate tasks such as data entry and document processing.

Low-code platforms can also be used to extend the capabilities of RPA bots. For example, a low-code application could be used to provide a user interface for RPA bots, allowing users to monitor and control the bots. Low-code platforms can also be used to build custom integrations between RPA bots and other systems.

Here are some specific examples of how RPA services and low-code can work together:

• Automating order processing: A low-code application could be used to manage the order processing workflow, while RPA bots could be used to automate tasks such as order entry, inventory management, and shipping.
• Automating customer service: A low-code application could be used to manage customer service inquiries, while RPA bots could be used to automate tasks such as answering common questions and resolving simple issues.
• Automating financial processes: A low-code application could be used to manage financial processes such as accounts payable and accounts receivable, while RPA bots could be used to automate tasks such as invoice processing and payment processing.

Benefits of Combining RPA and Low-Code

• Comprehensive automation: Combining RPA and low-code allows you to automate a wider range of tasks and processes, resulting in greater efficiency and cost savings.
• Improved agility: Combining RPA and low-code allows you to respond more quickly to changing business needs.
• Enhanced user experience: Combining RPA and low-code allows you to create user-friendly applications that are easy to use and navigate.
• Reduced risk: Combining RPA and low-code can reduce the risk of errors and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Considerations when combining RPA and Low-Code

• Integration complexity: Integrating RPA and low-code can be complex, as it requires careful planning and coordination.
• Skillset requirements: Combining RPA and low-code requires a team with expertise in both technologies.
• Governance: Combining RPA and low-code requires careful governance to ensure that applications are developed in a consistent and secure manner.

By combining the strengths of RPA and low-code, businesses can achieve comprehensive automation and drive significant improvements in efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction.

Final Take: Which is Better?

So, hopefully you have got complete clarity about which is better, low-code or RPA. In fact, the best choice completely depends on the specific goals of your business. 

If you need to automate repetitive through user interfaces then, RPA has to be the best option to consider. But, if you need custom applications and automate end-to-end processes then, low-code has to be the way to go. 

So, if you are having difficulty in making the decision, you can always consider connecting with the experts at A3Logics and get all the assistance you need.

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