Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has successfully assisted modern businesses to automate and streamline their core processes. Entrepreneurs focus on this technology to increase efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Companies, irrespective of the industry sectors they belong to, leverage the benefits of this revolutionary technology with the help of RPA services. In this post, we will see the impact and use cases of RPA in the consumer goods sector.
RPA technology offers many business benefits to the thriving consumer goods industry by enabling you to focus on core operations. Let’s understand the concept and applications of RPA in the consumer goods sector.
What is RPA technology?
As the name suggests, RPA technology refers to automating rule-based, repetitive, and monotonous tasks using software robots or bots. It works wonders in any company by handling repetitive tasks and thereby freeing arms of employees to manage other productive tasks. It enables software bots to mimic human behavior and navigate various enterprise applications including ERP and CRM systems.
One of the most popular usages of RPA technology is chatbots. Custom chatbots are quick, accurate, and work on a 24/7 basis with high accuracy. Talking RPA technology in consumer goods, it contributes to increasing efficiency and productivity smartly by automating various business processes.
How can RPA technology be used to automate specific business processes in the consumer goods industry?
RPA in consumer goods can automate specific business processes to increase productivity, reduce errors, and save money. Let’s see the impact of RPA on consumer goods.
– RPA bots can automate the monitoring inventory and ordering processes
– RPA can automate updates and notification for low-stock items
– It can automate the order tracking and shipment coordination processes
– RPA can manage inventory and production plans to reduce overstock and understock conditions
– RPA bots can automate data entry processes to reduce the chances of human errors and save time
– RPA is also useful in automating quality control processes including product inspection
– RPA-powered chatbots can automate customer support process
– RPA services can assist you to automate compliance checks and real-time reporting processes
Apart from these activities, you can use RPA in your company to automate the integration of your business systems with various eCommerce platforms. Here it is essential to identify the most suitable processes for automation and implement RPA in a way that aligns with the overall business strategy.
What are the benefits of using RPA technology in the consumer goods industry?
The consumer goods industry faces many challenges in the form of government regulations, compliance-related requirements, and the ever-changing needs of customers. However, RPA services can help this industry address such challenges effectively and offer the following benefits-
- Boost Productivity
If a human employee typically spends several hours processing inventory data, RPA can complete the same task in a fraction of the time. This doesn’t mean replacing human workers; instead, it empowers them to achieve more in less time.
- 24/7 Availability
Consumer goods businesses often operate around the clock. RPA technology does not require breaks, vacations, or sick leave. It can work continuously throughout the year. It ensures 24/7 availability, especially for customer support.
- More Accuracy
Consumer goods is one of the highly competitive industries, and therefore, any human errors can be costly. RPA excels at eliminating processing errors. According to industry surveys, RPA has met or exceeded expectations in accuracy, and timeliness.
- Higher Security
Data security is of the utmost importance in the consumer goods industry. RPA enhances security by working at a granular level, ensuring data security by offering safe storage and access. Companies can control data access more effectively.
- More Scalability
Expansion brings more struggle to meet responsibilities for the consumer goods industry. Here, RPA services come to the rescue by supporting various business functions, helping the business grow without adding external resources.
- Enhanced Customer Service
Meeting customer demands remains a constant challenge in the consumer goods industry. RPA helps by automating repetitive tasks, allowing employees more time to focus on addressing customer inquiries and problems that require a human touch.
- Resource Optimization
RPA in the consumer goods sector takes on repetitive and error-prone tasks, allowing employees to concentrate on strategic activities that demand their skills and expertise. This optimization of resource allocation improves overall efficiency.
- Improved Communication
RPA can automate document creation and modifications, reducing the burden of manual updates. This ensures that business processes and operations are executed in a timely manner, providing accurate and up-to-date information to on-field workers and partners.
Here are some interesting case studies of consumer goods companies that have utilized RPA technology successfully.
Case Studies of Consumer Goods Companies that Use RPA for Automation
Some of the biggest players including PepsiCo and Coca-Cola have leveraged the benefits of RPA for automating various processes. Here are some examples of RPA utilization-
- Foodstuffs
This New Zealand-based FMCG enterprise has automated manual tasks like logging into a website and clicking a few buttons at 5 a.m. and on weekends to free up its staff to work normal hours. It has automated invoice processing to save the time necessary to make payments to vendors by 50 percent. Report generation is also an automated process at Foodstuffs.
- Unilever
This giant FMCG company has used RPA to automate various tasks in its supply chain. The company has used RPA to automate inventory management, transportation planning, and warehouse management. It helps the company to manage the supply chain and reduce operational costs without compromising on its customer services.
- PepsiCo
The US-based soft drink giant has used RPA technology for automating back-office processes including invoice processing, customer service, financial reporting, and order processing. The company could improve overall efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer services with the help of RPA services.
Let’s go through some useful tips to make the most of RPA services in your consumer goods company.
Tips for implementing RPA technology in the consumer goods industry
Here are the top tips for implementing RPA into your consumer goods industry-
- Identify the Process
Not all processes are suitable for RPA automation. You need to identify repetitive, rule-based, and time-consuming processes. For example, order processing, invoice processing, customer service, are such processes.
- Ask Your Stakeholders
It is important to get advice from all stakeholders before implementing RPA. This includes employees, managers, partners, and executives. It can help you gain the advantage of RPA in achieving various goals of your company.
- Choose the Right Platform
It is essential to choose a platform that is right for your company’s needs. You can consider factors such as features, cost, and user-friendliness. Also, you need to find the right RPA services provider.
- Monitoring and Analysis
It is better to monitor and measure the results of your RPA implementation regularly. This will help you to identify areas where the technology is successful and areas where it can be improved.
Conclusion – The future of RPA technology in the consumer goods industry
RPA technology has the potential to revolutionize the consumer goods industry. It can increase the productivity and efficiency of the company by automating several repetitive processes. Consumer goods companies can automate several processes related to order and invoice processing with the help of RPA technology. However, it is essential to choose the right platforms and the most suitable RPA services provider to leverage the benefits of RPA in consumer goods.
