Robotic Process Automation: Order-to-Cash Bot Review and Wrap-up

Why is this important?

Finalizing an end-to-end automation requires testing and debugging. This is a critical step in the automation process, as it ensures that the bot functions as intended and meets the requirements of the business process. Testing and debugging can help identify any errors or issues in the automation, allowing for necessary adjustments to be made before deployment. This step is essential for ensuring that the automation is reliable, efficient, and effective in achieving its intended goals. Our case has worked through many of these issues and revised the workflow significantly. Having now worked through these steps, it is time for each individual student to finalize and report back to the client about the potential of the bot to automate order-to-cash and other elements of an automatic ERP update.

What will we do?

As a group we will review nd wrap up the order-to-cash RPA case study, a.k.a. the Skylar Pure Reformed Oils Case. We will discuss the case and the bot, and how to finalize the bot for submission. We will also discuss the individual RPA Individual Submission, which is due on May 13th.

Review and Extension:

In prior classes, we have worked with UIPath to introduce various technical topics including, reading and writing data (with a focus first on excel and later on csvs). We then explored various methods using UIPath programming/dataTable activities along with assign activities to manage and manipulate data. We also introduced the concept of metadata tagging and audit logging as a way to track the bot's activity and provide transparency into the automation process, using UIPath's write line and also a preliminary look at a write text logging function. We also discussed the importance of testing and debugging in the automation process, and how to use UIPath's debugging tools to identify and fix errors in the bot's workflow.

In this class, we will discuss how the current bot is to be submitted and preliminary options for the the individual RPA Individual Submission, which is due on May 13th.

Materials and Suggested Seating:

Case: Pure Reformed Oils (Swindler and Simpson: The path to redemption) Case, Continued.
Case: Billing Bot (background) Case as an example of extending the bot to capture invoicing.
Case: Tax Form Bot (background) Case as an example of extending a bot from input data to interacting and saving pdfs forms.
Case: Distance Bot (background) Case as an example of extending a bot using input data to interacting with web browsers and obtaining data from websites.
Case: Sales Reporting Bot (background) Case as an example of extending a bot using sales data to interacting with dashboards to display sales information.
Slides: will be available for download by the beginning of class in either powerpoint or pdf formats.
Data: A data update may be required for this class. To ensure your files are the most up-to-date, navigate to ACCTG528_Labs folder and run the command git pull.
Automation Tools: UIPath activities previously covered plus any additional tools students wish to use to finalize their extension.

Suggested Pre-Class Preparation:

1. There is no required preparation for this class, but watching the videos prior to class is highly recommended.
2. Students should be familiar with the Pure Reformed Oils Case and be preparing for their video submission.
3. The background cases are accompanied by videos that vary in detail, these videos along with the cases can help students identify potential use cases for the Individual RPA Challenge.

Class Plan:

1. First, we will review the components of the bot that read, write, and update datatables in UIPath. This will be achieved using PollEverywhere.
2. We will then briefly review the parameters for the Individual RPA Challenge to ensure students are clear on the resources, expectations, and requirements.
3. Finally, there will be initial workshop time for students to work on their Case submission or individual RPA Challenge (for those who have completed the case). Students should be prepared to share their progress and any questions they have about the bot or the submission process.