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What is RPA (Robotic Process Automation)?
What RPA is
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
- A scripted RPA worker that replays UI clicks against a target application.
- Screen scraping
- Reading values from UI elements rather than calling an API.
- Attended bot
- An RPA bot triggered by a human at the desktop.
- Unattended bot
- An RPA bot that runs on a schedule without a human at the desktop.
- Brittleness
- RPA’s tendency to break whenever a target UI or input format changes.
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
- 99 percent first-time-right rate on autonomous orders.
- 18 percent quote-to-order win rate uplift after deployment.
- 30B+ B2B transactions executed across the Go Autonomous customer base.
- 43 percent capacity released across order processing teams.
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.
