PHOTO:
Jouwen Wang
COVID-19 forced us to ask: How fast can we reorganize for a new model of work? We ve had to reimagine what we do and how we do it. Work is now less time- and place-based to be more flexible, more digital and more outcome-based.
Many companies turned to robotic process automation (RPA) as a digital transformation hack. Itâs faster and cheaper than a complete platform overhaul, and it reduces dependence on human workers for high-volume, menial tasks. RPA cuts costs and distances people. No more bullpens of human automatons grinding out 8-hour shifts. RPA seems to fit the business needs of the pandemic moment. Gartner predicts double-digit growth through 2024. But is the tech meeting the hype? How much is there to gain from these notoriously brittle robots that can contribute to technology debt?