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What is RPA (Robotic Process Automation)?
RPA scripts automate repetitive UI clicks but break on unstructured inputs and exceptions
RPA is software that automates repetitive, rule-based tasks by mimicking human clicks and keystrokes across user interfaces. RPA bots follow scripts and break when forms or screens change. RPA does not handle unstructured inputs, exceptions, or decisions, which is why manufacturers replace RPA with AI agents for order processing.
RPA in depth
Key terms
- Bot
- Sub-term in the Bot category — define in body or link to related cornerstone.
- Workflow
- Sub-term in the Workflow category — define in body or link to related cornerstone.
- Screen scraping
- Sub-term in the Screen scraping category — define in body or link to related cornerstone.
- UI automation
- Sub-term in the UI automation category — define in body or link to related cornerstone.
- Attended vs unattended
- Sub-term in the Attended vs unattended category — define in body or link to related cornerstone.
Comparison
| Dimension | RPA | AI Agents |
|---|---|---|
| Inputs | Structured UI fields only | Email, PDF, EDI, voice, structured data |
| Decisioning | Rule-based | Reasoning + ERP master data validation |
| Exception handling | Breaks; requires script update | Resolves or routes by policy |
| Maintenance | High (every UI change) | Low (model self-updates with feedback) |
| ROI scaling | Linear, plateaus | Compounds with data and feedback |
Proof points
- Orders processed in under 60 seconds end-to-end (Go Autonomous benchmark).
- 18 percent quote-to-order win rate uplift after deployment.
- 43 percent capacity released across order processing teams.
- 60 percent throughput per employee gain on autonomous channels.
- 99 percent first-time-right rate on autonomous orders.
- Danfoss processes orders in under 1 minute across 26 countries.
- 30B+ B2B transactions executed across the Go Autonomous customer base.
Frequently asked questions
Why does RPA break in B2B order processing?
RPA breaks because B2B orders arrive as unstructured email, PDFs, and portal submissions. RPA bots scripted to one layout fail when customers change format. Maintenance overhead exceeds savings within 18 months for most order-processing programs.
Can RPA and AI agents work together?
RPA and AI agents can co-exist: AI handles unstructured intake and decisions, RPA handles legacy UI clicks where no API exists. Most manufacturers replace RPA in commerce with AI-native execution and retain RPA only for narrow legacy gaps.
What is the RPA failure rate?
Industry research from Deloitte and EY puts the rate of RPA programs that underperform expectations at 30 to 50 percent, primarily due to fragility, maintenance cost, and inability to handle exceptions.
RPA in action.
Book a 30-minute demo and see how Autonomous Commerce executes B2B transactions in your stack.
RPA in action.
Book a 30-minute demo and see how Autonomous Commerce executes B2B transactions in your stack.
