RPA in the post-implementation phase of ERP systems

Abstract

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) can automate processes of various systems using their user interfaces. Back-office processes are particularly suitable for automation with the help of digital workers. Many back-office processes are carried out in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Companies worldwide use ERP systems, meaning they are in the post-implementation phase and interact with these systems daily. Changes to the system are expected during the post-implementation phase. In this paper, recommendations for action that help introduce this technology in the post-implementation phase of ERP systems are made, and decision factors that speak for using this technology are elaborated. For this purpose, twelve interviews are conducted with experts who have already gained experience with Robotic Process Automation in the context of ERP systems, and the results of the interviews will be compared and supplemented with the existing literature. A central result of the work is that the involvement of employees working in the processes to be automated in their daily work is an essential component in all phases of the implementation process. Decision-making factors contributing significantly to companies or organizations deciding to implement RPA can generally be divided into technical and organizational. In general, it can be said that Robotic Process Automation can be used to add value to ERP systems.