Robotic process automation

Zahtjevi tržišta koji se brzo mijenjaju i dinamičan razvoj informacijskih tehnologija značajno pridonose evoluciji suvremenih koncepata upravljanja pomoću IT alata. Kao trenutno vrlo zastupljeni koncept ističe se robotska automatizacija procesa (eng. Robotic Process Automation, RPA). Ovaj rad u teorijskom dijelu definira RPA tehnologiju u užem i širem smislu, smješta ju u kontekst suvremenog IT područja i daje pregled područja njezine primjene. Rad se bavi prednostima, nedostacima i izazovima RPA s naglaskom na odabir prikladnog procesa za automatizaciju, uspoređuje RPA s ostalim tehnologijama automatizacije procesa i uzima u obzir društvene aspekte. U radu je dan prikaz trenutno najzastupljenijih alata na tržištu RPA. Rad se također osvrće na trenutne trendove RPA te daje moguće smjerove razvoja te tehnologije. Kao praktični dio diplomskog rada napravljena je automatizacija jednog konkretnog procesa korištenjem alata UiPath. Proces je automatiziran vodeći se mogućnostima RPA i kriterijima za odabir prikladnog procesa. U osvrtu na praktični rad utvrđene su prednosti i nedostaci napravljenog procesa u usporedbi s teorijskim postavkama RPA opisanima u literaturi.Rapidly changing market demands, and the dynamic development of information technologies significantly contribute to the evolution of modern management concepts using IT tools. Robotic process automation (RPA) stands out as a very popular concept at the moment. This thesis in its theoretical part defines RPA technology in a broader and wider meaning, places it in the context of modern IT sector and gives an overview of its application. The thesis examines the strengths, weaknesses and challenges in using RPA with focus on choosing suitable process for automation. The thesis brings a comparison of RPA to other process automation technologies. It also takes into consideration the social aspects of technology. The thesis brings comparative analysis of most used RPA tools. Thesis also touches upon the current trends of RPA and provides possible directions for the development of this technology. As a practical part of the thesis, the automation of a specific process was made using the UiPath tool. The process is automated taking into account the theoretical principles of the purpose of RPA, the possibilities of RPA and the criteria for selecting the suitable process. The review of practical part of the thesis identifies the advantages and disadvantages of the developed process in relation to the theoretical assumptions of RPA described in the literature