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Unit 1

Automation is the use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human intervention, enhancing efficiency and productivity across various sectors. It has both positive impacts, such as increased productivity and job creation, and negative impacts, including job displacement and income inequality. The document also outlines types of automation, the role of robotic process automation (RPA), and provides a guide for building a simple automation project using UiPath Studio.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
18 views11 pages

Unit 1

Automation is the use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human intervention, enhancing efficiency and productivity across various sectors. It has both positive impacts, such as increased productivity and job creation, and negative impacts, including job displacement and income inequality. The document also outlines types of automation, the role of robotic process automation (RPA), and provides a guide for building a simple automation project using UiPath Studio.
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Definition of Automation:

Automation refers to the use of technology, machinery, and control systems to perform tasks or
processes with minimal human intervention. It often involves the integration of robotics,
artificial intelligence, and software to increase efficiency, accuracy, and productivity in various
sectors.

Socio-Economic Impacts of Automation:

Positive Impacts:

1. Increased Productivity:

o Automation enhances efficiency by performing tasks faster and more accurately


than humans, leading to higher output.

2. Reduced Costs:

o Lower operational costs in the long term due to reduced labor costs and
minimized errors.

3. Improved Safety:

o Dangerous or repetitive tasks can be automated, reducing workplace injuries.

4. Economic Growth:

o Productivity gains contribute to GDP growth and technological advancement.

5. Creation of High-Skilled Jobs:

o Automation generates demand for skilled workers to design, program, and


maintain automated systems.

Negative Impacts:

1. Job Displacement:

o Workers in repetitive, manual, or low-skill jobs risk losing employment to


automated systems.

2. Income Inequality:
o A gap may emerge as high-skilled workers benefit more, leaving low-skilled
workers behind.

3. Economic Polarization:

o Small businesses may struggle to compete with larger corporations that can
afford automation.

4. Dependency on Technology:

o Over-reliance on automated systems can lead to vulnerabilities, such as


cyberattacks or system failures.

5. Social Disruption:

o Job losses and shifts in workforce demand can lead to social instability, requiring
policies to support affected populations.

Examples:

 Manufacturing: Robots assembling products increase efficiency but reduce the need for
manual labor.

 Retail: Self-checkout systems minimize cashiers’ roles.

 Healthcare: AI diagnosing diseases enhances accuracy but may reduce demand for
certain medical roles.
TYPES OF AUTOMATION
1. Fixed Automation : Automation designed for high-volume production with set
processes. Ex- An assembly line robot that always performs the same task, like
screwing in a part.
2. Programmable Automation : Automation that can be reprogrammed for
different tasks. Ex- A robot in a factory that can be reprogrammed to assemble
different products on the same line.
3. Flexible Automation : Automation that can be easily adjusted or changed for
various tasks, ideal for smaller production runs. Ex- A 3D printer that can create
different products without needing major adjustments.
4. Industrial Automation : Automation of industrial processes like
manufacturing, production, and material handling. Ex- Automated machinery in
a car factory that assembles parts without human intervention.
5. Office Automation : Automating office tasks like data entry, scheduling, and
document management. Ex- Software that automatically organizes emails,
schedules meetings, and tracks tasks.
6. Home Automation : Automation used to control home systems like lights,
security, and temperature. Ex- A smart thermostat that automatically adjusts the
temperature based on your daily schedule.
7. IT Automation : Automation of IT tasks such as system monitoring, updates,
and backups. Ex- A script that automatically backs up company data every night.
8. Business Process Automation : Automating business tasks to improve
efficiency, like workflows and approvals. Ex- A system that automatically
processes invoices without manual approval.
ROBOTIC PROCESS AUTOMATION

 DEFINITION : RPA is a technology that allows software robots (also called


bots) to automate repetitive tasks that people usually do on a computer.
These tasks can be anything from copying and pasting information, filling
out forms, updating databases, or even interacting with different software
in the same way a human would.

 HOW DOES RPA WORK? : Imagine you have a boring, repetitive task you
do on your computer every day—like filling out a spreadsheet or checking
emails for specific keywords. RPA can be used to create a robot that does
these tasks for you, exactly the way you would, but much faster and
without getting tired.
 Step 1: The software bot is trained to understand what task it needs
to do. This could involve clicking buttons, typing text, or navigating
through software applications.
 Step 2: Once trained, the bot performs the task whenever it’s
needed—repeating it without errors or breaks.
 Step 3: The bot can work alongside people, handling repetitive
work while humans focus on tasks that need more creativity,
decision-making, or human touch.

 TYPES OF RPA :
 Attended RPA : Bots that require human intervention to trigger or
work alongside them. They typically assist humans in their tasks.
 Unattended RPA : Bots that can operate independently without
human intervention.
 Hybrid RPA : A combination of attended and unattended bots,
where the bot can work autonomously but also collaborate with
humans when needed.

 WHY USE RPA? :


 Saves Time : RPA can do tasks much faster than a human.
 Increases Accuracy : Bots don't make mistakes like humans might
when doing repetitive work, reducing errors and improving quality.
 Improves Productivity : With RPA handling routine tasks, people
can focus on more important, creative, or decision-based work.
 Cost Effective : Companies can save money by using RPA to handle
tasks that would normally require many employees.

 WHERE IS RPA USED? :


 Customer Service : Bots can automatically process customer
inquiries, update records, or send responses.
 Finance: Bots can handle invoicing, payroll, and data entry.
 Human Resources : Bots can process resumes, schedule interviews,
or send onboarding materials.
 IT : RPA can automate software updates, monitor system health,
and handle troubleshooting tasks.
 Government : Automates public service processes, tax filing, and
record management.
Role of Automation in Business

Business automation is the use of technology to automate processes and functions within an
organization. Business automation can deliver massive productivity gains by helping a business
transform traditionally manual processes into automations across the entire organization.

Automation in Business provides-

1. Increased Efficiency:
Automation speeds up processes that would otherwise take longer manually. For example,
tasks like data entry, inventory management, and customer support can all be automated to run
without human intervention.

2.Cost Reduction:
By automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks, businesses can reduce labor costs and
minimize the risk of human error.

3.Improved Accuracy:
Automation ensures tasks are done consistently and accurately, which is especially important
in areas like financial reporting or inventory tracking. This reduces the likelihood of errors, which
could lead to costly mistakes.

4.Scalability:
As businesses grow, automation helps scale operations without a proportional increase in labor
or resources. Systems can handle more transactions, customers, or orders without requiring a
large expansion of the workforce.

5. Data Insights:
Automation systems often come with built-in analytics tools that help businesses gather
valuable insights. For example, tracking consumer behavior through automated systems can
help businesses understand preferences and optimize marketing efforts.
Role of Automation in Business

Automation plays a crucial role in modern business, driving efficiency, productivity, and overall
growth. Here's a breakdown of its key contributions:

Key Benefits:
 Increased Efficiency:
o Automation streamlines repetitive and time-consuming tasks, allowing
employees to focus on more strategic and creative work.
o It accelerates processes, reducing turnaround times and improving overall
workflow.
 Enhanced Productivity:

o Machines and software can operate 24/7, without the limitations of human
fatigue.
o This leads to a significant increase in output and faster completion of projects.
 Reduced Costs:
o Automation minimizes the need for manual labor, reducing labor costs.
o It also reduces errors, which can be costly to rectify.
 Improved Accuracy and Consistency:
o Automated systems follow predefined rules and procedures, minimizing human
error.
o This ensures consistent quality and accuracy in all processes.
 Enhanced Customer Experience:
o Automation enables faster response times to customer inquiries and requests.
o It allows for personalized interactions and improved customer service.
 Better Risk Management and Compliance:
o Automation can help organizations adhere to regulatory requirements by
ensuring consistent and auditable processes.
o It can also improve risk management by identifying and mitigating potential
issues.
 Scalability:

o Automated systems can easily adapt to changing business needs and increased
workloads.
o This allows businesses to scale operations efficiently and effectively.
 Data Driven Decisions:
o Automation tools collect data during operations. That data can then be used to
analyze and improve business practices.
Examples of Automation in Business:
 Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Automating repetitive tasks like data entry, invoice
processing, and customer service inquiries.
 Workflow Automation: Streamlining business processes like employee onboarding,
approval workflows, and document management.
 Marketing Automation: Automating marketing tasks like email campaigns, social media
posting, and lead nurturing.
 Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Automation: Automating tasks related to
customer interactions, sales, and support.

 Manufacturing Automation: Using robots and automated systems in production lines to


increase efficiency and reduce costs.

In essence, automation empowers businesses to operate more efficiently, effectively, and


competitively in today's fast-paced environment.
Building the first Automation Project using studio

Project: Extracting a Title from a Webpage


1. Setting Up UiPath Studio:
 Installation: Ensure you have UiPath Studio installed and activated.
 Create a New Project:
o Open UiPath Studio.
o Click "Process" to create a new blank automation project.
o Give your project a descriptive name (e.g., "WebpageTitleExtraction").
o Choose a location to save your project.
o Click "Create."
2. Designing the Workflow:
 Open Browser Activity:
o In the "Activities" panel (usually on the left), search for "Open Browser."
o Drag and drop the "Open Browser" activity into the "Main" workflow sequence.
o In the "Properties" panel of the "Open Browser" activity:
 Set the "Url" property to the webpage you want to automate (e.g.,
"https://www.example.com").
 Choose the browser type (e.g., "Chrome").
 Get Text Activity:
o Search for "Get Text" in the activities panel. Drag and drop it into the "Do"
section of the "Open Browser" activity.
o Indicate element inside browser: Click "Indicate element inside browser". The
webpage you opened will be shown. Select the title of the page. UiPath will
generate a selector.
o In the properties panel of the Get Text activity:
 Create a variable to store the extracted text. In the "Result" section, press
Ctrl+K and name the variable (e.g., "pageTitle").
 Message Box Activity:
o Search for "Message Box" in the "Activities" panel.
o Drag and drop the "Message Box" activity after the "Get Text" activity.
o In the "Text" property of the "Message Box" activity, enter the variable you
created (e.g., "pageTitle"). This will display the extracted title.
3. Running and Debugging:
 Run the Workflow:
o Click the "Run" button in the UiPath Studio toolbar.

o Observe the automation process as it opens the browser, extracts the title, and
displays it in the message box.
 Debugging:
o If you encounter errors, use the debugging tools in UiPath Studio.
o Use "Step Into," "Step Over," and "Step Out" to trace the execution of your
workflow.
o Use the "Locals" panel to inspect the values of variables during runtime.
o Place breakpoints to pause the execution of the code.
Key UiPath Concepts:

 Activities: These are the building blocks of your automation workflows. They perform
specific actions, such as opening a browser, clicking a button, or extracting text.
 Sequences: Sequences are containers that hold a series of activities in a specific order.
 Variables: Variables are used to store data during the automation process. They can hold
various data types, such as strings, numbers, and booleans.
 Selectors: Selectors are used to identify and interact with specific elements on a
webpage or application. They are crucial for ensuring that your automation interacts
with the correct elements.
 Properties: Each activity has a set of properties that define its behavior.

 Debugging: Essential for troubleshooting and identifying errors in your automation


workflows.
Important Notes:
 Selectors: Pay close attention to selectors. Use robust selectors that are less likely to
break if the webpage's layout changes. Use UiExplorer to help build stable selectors.
 Error Handling: Implement error handling to gracefully handle unexpected situations.
Use "Try Catch" blocks to catch exceptions and prevent your automation from crashing.
 Variable Scope: Understand variable scope to ensure that your variables are accessible
where they are needed.
 Comments: Add comments to your workflows to explain the purpose of each activity
and improve readability.

 Testing: Thoroughly test your automation workflows to ensure that they work as
expected.

 Attended vs. Unattended: This simple project is attended automation, meaning that the
user is present when the automation is running. Unattended automations can run on
servers without user intervention.

This simple example provides a foundation for building more complex automation projects in
UiPath. Remember to practice and experiment with different activities and techniques to
expand your skills.

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