What are the differences between robotic automation and Screen Scraping?
The major differences between robotic automation and screen scraping are as follows:
- Robots are considered to be application orchestrators, as any machine used by man can be used by modern robots also. They could be either web service-enabled applications, legacy applications, mainframe, etc.
- Robots build a shared library by collecting procedural knowledge. This knowledge can be r-used by any other robot or device.
- Also, the applications are read by the robots either through the operating systems prior to application display, through the screen in the context of the native application or through dedicated APIs. In the case where the applications are read through the screen in the context of a native application, the robots read the same way as that of the user. So, while a robot is trained, it is shown how to read the application’s display. Similar to that of a user
What are the differences between RPA and automation?
|
Parameters |
RPA |
Automation |
| What does it reduce? | Reduces manual workforce | Reduces execution time |
| Need for a programming knowledge | Mostly not needed as it is wizard-driven | Required to create test scripts |
| Usage | Usually used in production environments | Used for QA, Production, Performance, UAT environments |
| What does it automate? | Repetitive business process i.e product as well as business | Repetitive test cases i.e a product |
| What are the working environments? | Works on a wide range of environments | Limited working environments |
What are the features of RPA?
The features of RPA are as follows:
- Accurate: Less prone to errors and work with high precision and uniformity
- Consistent: The RPA software are built in such a way that, all the repetitive tasks are performed in the same manner.
- Cost Cutting Technology: Aims to reduce the manual workforce and thus reduces the cost used to perform any task.
- Productivity Rate: The execution time to perform any task is much faster when compared to the manual approach.
- Reliable Software: This software is reliable, as bots can work 24*7 without a break, with the same efficiency.
- No/Less Coding Required: RPA tools do not require much coding knowledge.
What points are to be considered during the planning phase of automation.
During the planning phase of automation you have consider the following:
- Best RPA Tool for your project
- Collect the in scope and out of scope parameters
- Testing environment
- Project timelines
- Identification of deliverables
Do we require coding skills to use the Blue Prism tool?
Well, this is one of the most common questions asked in interviews. The answer to this question is NO. Blue Prism does not require any prior programming knowledge as it has developed its digital workforce in a way that it can be built, and managed by the users. Apart from this, Blue Prism has also made sure that its digital workforce adheres to the spanning technologies, operations and the robotic operational model, to make sure that it can be implemented in any department of an enterprise. Also, to the matter of fact, all the RPA Tools require no or less programming knowledge as all their platforms are built in such a way that a user does not sit and writes code.
What do you understand by the Environmental variable in Blue Prism?
Environmental variables are those variables that are available to all processes and business objects. So, these variables are used as dynamic variables, to make sure they can be used whenever required across the Blue Prism platform.
To use an environment variable follow the below steps:
- Add a new data item to the chosen Process or Object
- Open the Data Properties form
- In the ‘Exposure’ combo box select the ‘Environment’ option
- The ‘Name’ edit box at the top of the screen will become a combo box. Select the Environment Variable you want to use from the combo list
- Click OK
Can you mention the hardware requirements used to execute the Blue Prism Platform?
Well, there are as such no hardware requirements. But since Blue Prism is designed to match with the IT standards suitable for IT security, operational integrity, and operational supportability, this software is designed in a ready to be deployed manner.
In front-office processing, it runs on the standard/ local desktop whereas in the back office processing it runs on a large number of systems.
Mention the components in Blue Prism
Blue Prism comes with various tools, libraries and run time environments to enable the users to automate tasks. Out of all of them, there are mainly two components of Blue Prism. They are:
-
Process Studio – Process Studio is the area in which the Process Diagrams are created. This component of Blue Prism offers features such as business logic, object call, control loops, and variables. Each and every process created has the Main Page which gets executed first.
-
Object Studio – Almost all enterprises need to have communication with external applications to automate tasks. Since it cannot happen in Process Studio, Object Studio is used. Object Studio is the area where Visual Business Objects(VBO) are created. These objects are nothing but diagrammatic programs interacting with external applications that perform operations. One Business Object provides an interface with only one external application. Also, let me tell you that each Object Studio, does not have the Main Page, but it does have two default pages organized as a flat group.
Mention the steps to create a Process in Blue Prism
Follow the below steps to create a Process in Blue Prism:
- Open the Blue Prism window, and choose the Studio icon.
- Then right-click the Processes heading under the Studio tab and select “Create a Process”.
- After that, enter the name and description of the Process
- Once the process is created, it will appear beneath the Processes heading. Just double-click on it to open.
- Now, once the Process is opened, the next step is to add a stage. To do that, go to the Stages toolbar on the left-hand side and drag it into the workspace.
- After the stage is added, you can go forward and create the process flow.
How can you get started on delivering processes using Blue Prism?
Well, Blue Prism recommends a phased approach to get started as the Operational Agility framework is scalable. This kind of environment is used to target the configuration between 1 to 10 processes initially, and then rolling program of processes being introduced once the framework is established.
