How Software Robots Can Help You Take Control of the ‘New Normal’

At the beginning of 2020, a commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of UiPath on “The Future of Work” evaluated the impact of automation and how firms were enabling their employees to be better prepared for that future.

While the findings of that study still stand, and in some cases are more relevant than ever before, I think I can safely say our current reality was not the future any of us had in mind.

Everything has been changed by the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Many are working or learning from home for the first time. Many are still working essential jobs but with entirely new protocols and processes. Many have been pushed to reimagine work entirely—learning new skills and seeking out new opportunities. After several months of change, we are still just beginning to understand the many ways the post-COVID-19 world will never be the same, but there’s one thing we can be certain of: both businesses and individuals are looking to technology as a way to take control of the “new normal.”

The role of Robotic Process Automation in a post-pandemic world

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is one of the many technologies businesses have turned to in order to deal with the stresses COVID-19 has placed on them. A fast-growing technology before the pandemic—the Forrester report stated in January that 66% of companies surveyed planned to increase RPA software spend by at least 5% over the next 12 months—RPA will now be a necessity for organizations as they work to become digital first.

Yet as organizations invest in automation and other digital tools, employees worry about how to advance their skills to remain valuable. UiPath surveyed 4,500 office workers worldwide in February and March of 2020 and found that nearly half (47%) are worried they will be out of a job within five years because their skills will be outdated. These workers are hungry to learn, with 86% saying they wish their employer offered opportunities to acquire new skills.

Maybe you’re one of these office workers worried about technology advancing faster than your skill set. Maybe you’re already serving in a technical role and want to help shape your organization’s “new normal.” Or maybe you’re just fascinated by the idea of a robot assistant. Whoever you are, we want to help you learn the skills to future-proof your career for a post-pandemic world.

A robot pack to help accelerate your new work routine

With that in mind, we’ve created this robot pack to help you accelerate your new normal. With six robots to download, build, and customize, it is the perfect way to get started with RPA. Some of the bots handle simple work tasks, others are just for fun, but all of them can be adapted and enhanced as you expand your RPA skills.

All these automations are available for free download in the UiPath Marketplace, an extensive online library of reusable RPA components. Just register on UiPath Automation Cloud for community, download the free software, then choose your robot and download the component. There are instructions with each bot, but if you find yourself confused, the UiPath Academy is a free online training platform with role-based learning paths that can help you on your RPA journey.

So, without further ado, allow me to introduce your new robot assistants:

1. My Assistant: a robot that helps you spend less time on your full email inbox

2. Scheduler: a robot that handles meeting conflicts for you

3. Movie Junkie: a robot to help you discover your new favorite films

4. Translator: a robot that can quickly translate documents into more than 60 languages

5. Reliable Friend: a robot to help you keep up with your friends’ birthdays

6. File Converter: a robot to handle file conversions quickly and easily

Visit the robot pack page to learn more about each bot and access other RPA learning resources.

Imagining a future where everyone has robot assistants

At UiPath, our vision for the future is ‘a robot for every person,’ much like Bill Gates envisioned a PC for every desktop. Part of making that vision a reality is democratizing RPA technology—enabling every employee to use, create, and benefit from automation.

Another tenet of that vision is teaching students to use RPA so they are equipped for the future of work from the day they graduate.

Karen A. Kitching, PhD, certified public accountant (CPA), and associate professor at George Mason University, is teaching her students to use automation as the foundation of the accounting analytics certificate program.

“Upskilling them, preparing them for a bright future, this is what making a difference is all about,” Kitching said during a recent webinar.

How did Kitching first get involved with RPA? She built a robot from the UiPath Marketplace.

“I participated in a hands-on workshop where I built my first bot,” Kitching said. “I joined the UiPath Academic Alliance program that same week and started my RPA journey and I used many, many resources that are available in the UiPath Academy.”

There’s never been a better time to learn RPA

So, whether you’re a newly remote worker trying to accelerate your routine, a jobseeker trying to enhance your skillset, or a student looking for ways to stand out in the future job market, we hope this robot pack enables you to learn something new and maybe make work a little more exciting.

Good luck and happy automating!