RPA is a software solution and does not involve physical hardware. It works by doing "Human Type" actions on predictable tasks like copying data from documents to system, collating data, generating reports, etc. RPA can execute repetitive tasks that a human employee would otherwise do on a computer system. The technology has matured to a level where accuracy and speed are core features. It continues to evolve and simplify the effort to create and deploy solutions.

There is a wide spectrum of RPA vendors and the price range varies according to the functionality as well as the complexity of the software. Solutions cost range from a few thousand dollars (for simple solutions) to enterprise-level budgets for global corporations.

RPA can lower your costs, improve your quality and integrate seamlessly with any application without the need for technical integration.

In some ways they are very similar. Generally, macros are considered as ways to perform a set of actions within an application. For example, an Excel macro works within an Excel spreadsheet. A script could be a "Windows" script that performs actions.
RPA functionality varies by software product, but they can each do the activities of an Excel Macro and a Window Script. RPA provides greater functionality, the actions can be across applications and not limited to a single application like a macro. RPA provides the capability of reading information from screen displays, which is almost impossible for a scripting language which can only get "Response codes".

A digital worker, also known as a "bot" or software robot, is able to interact with computer systems in the same way that a person interacts. The digital worker can read information displayed on a screen, type using the keyboard and perform mouse movements and clicks. It can be configured to perform repetitive tasks normally undertaken by a person. Some of the advantages of using a digital worker is that it is about 10 times faster than a person with an elimination of human errors.

There are a number of variables when considering costs.
- Software robot (digital worker) license fees or subscriptions
- Infrastructure to host the software robot
- Consultancy to install and configure the software robot for the activities to be performed
- On-going support for the software robot, upgrades, etc.
- Manual activity to handle exceptions in the activities which are beyond the software robot capabilities

When considering the costs, the benefits need to be considered as well. All solutions provide an ROI calculator for RPA.

When RPA projects were first undertaken at global corporations, they were big projects, but the technology has matured rapidly and now implementations are quick.
Typically a Proof of Concept (POC) would be delivered in a few days. The projects are normally completed in a few weeks.
The usual approach is to start with a relatively small process for automation. This enables the infrastructure to be established and the organization to adjust to the use of software robots. Subsequent implementations of additional robots can then build on that environment.

Although it would be possible to implement a number of digital workers (aka "software robots") as isolated discrete items, a coordinated approach is optimal.
After implementation, there will be a need to support the software robots with software upgrades. A central approach to such software management is the most efficient. The typical license fees/subscriptions are based on the number of digital workers; therefore, if the capacity for work in each robot is optimized, the overall costs can be minimized. RPA software includes a central management capability that allows the support to monitor the activity of the software robots.

Is it a repetitive task?
Does it only use digital information?
How are decisions within the task made?
All solutions provide a process checklist to help with evaluation.

Digital workers interact with computer applications by simulating the actions of people.
The digital workers can use the same Graphical User Interface that person would use if they performed the actions. As no changes are required to the applications, and it is possible for people or digital workers to perform the activity, then there is no risk of compromise to the applications.

Software robots will impact many jobs. They are often called "Digital Workers" as they can perform tasks currently undertaken by people. Software robots are very good at doing repetitive work, but they cannot do everything. Activities where judgements are required are better handled by people.
Experience has shown that the introduction of software robots improves the working activities for staff. The knowledge that staff have about the business is able to be better used and the jobs become more interesting.

It is a group of individuals who have the knowledge and experience of creating software robots to automate a business process, as well as the understanding of how to effectively implement the solution within a business from a change management perspective. This central group can capture the lessons learnt from each implementation, the correct role for standards setting and the overview of implementation strategy, to work with individual business areas on their specific automation requirements.

As software robots are deployed and tasks are defined for the software robots to perform, there is an on-going need for monitoring and management of the robots. An RPA Control Center is the team tasked with the on-going operation of the robots. For segregation of duties, this group is often different from any of the teams developing the robot scripts that define the execution. The focus is on the operation rather than the business functionality. The team is typically responsible for software upgrades, implementation of security policies and resilience.