Definition
What is Robotic Process Automation?
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) uses software bots to mimic human actions inside applications, such as clicking buttons, copying data between screens, and filling forms. It is most useful for automating legacy systems that lack APIs.
How it works
RPA bots interact with user interfaces the same way a person would. This makes RPA valuable for automating processes in older enterprise software that was not built for system-to-system integration. Common RPA platforms include UiPath, Automation Anywhere, and Blue Prism. RPA works best for high-volume, rule-based tasks like invoice processing or data entry. However, RPA bots are brittle - they break when the UI changes. Many organizations are migrating from RPA to API-based automation where possible for better reliability.
Last updated: March 2026