IBM Robotic Process Automation vs. Automation Anywhere: Which RPA Software Is Best For Small Businesses?

RPA software is based on robotic process automation technology which automates routine tasks and streamlines repetitive processes to reduce human errors and increase efficiency which in turn lowers business cost and improves data quality. In this article, we review at length the two leading RPA software for small businesses: An RPA solution is crucial to automate various business workflows for small businesses. Here’s a comparative guide on two popular RPA software – IBM Robotic Process Automation and Automation Anywhere.

Table of Contents

• What Is RPA Software?
• Features Review of IBM Robotic Process Automation and Automation Anywhere
• Which RPA Software to Choose?
• Takeaway

What Is RPA Software?

An organization can integrate RPA software with its software and systems in multiple ways, such as connecting them through existing databases, enterprise web services in the backend, and front-end or desktop connections. An RPA software is basically a combination of machine and natural language processing and Artificial Intelligence. 

Advanced RPA software can easily streamline and improve diverse IT governance and management activities by integrating with centralized systems seamlessly. Whether customer order processing or employee onboarding, RPA software can help improve various areas of business and reduce the cost of hiring additional employees. In this blog, we will review the two famous RPA software – IBM Robotic Process Automation and Automation Anywhere based on their features, functionalities, strength, usage, and more.

See More: What Is Robotic Process Automation (RPA)? Meaning, Working, Software, and Uses

IBM Robotic Process Automation

IBM Robotic Process AutomationOpens a new window is a widely used RPA software that offers AI-powered automation solutions for business and IT operations. Equipped with a range of business-specific solutions, such as continuous application performance management, decision management for repetitive business processes, and enterprise content management, to name a few, it offers curated solutions for the critical areas of your business. 

Some of the highly sought-after solutions of IBM Robotic Process Automation among small businesses are business automation, asset management, business analysis and insights, and financial, operational, and business security solutions, to name a few. Its top customers include AON, Sicoob, Deloitte, Credigy, Cobmax, and GAM.

A glance at IBM’s Robotic Process Automation

Automation Anywhere

Automation AnywhereOpens a new window is another famous RPA software used by various businesses from diverse industries – SaaS to ecommerce. It offers a range of solutions for specific business areas, such as business workspace processes automation, business document automation, process automation discovery, business process analysis and optimization, and pre-built automations storage and sharing. 

Also, it offers a range of RPA solutions for specific business functions like customer service, finance & accounting, human resources, sales and marketing, shared services, front office, and back office. Some of the top companies that use Automation Anywhere are Emaar, NHS, Lumevity, Hitachi Solutions, BPM-D, Poclain, and Tech Mahindra, to name a few.

A glance at Automation Anywhere

See More: How Purpose-Built Intelligent Automation Solves the Shortcomings of RPA

Features Review of IBM Robotic Process Automation and Automation Anywhere

Based on our research, below is a comparative review of the top features in IBM Robotic Process Automation and Automation Anywhere.

Business automation

IBM Robotic Process Automation offers a compact solution for business processes and relevant IT operations automation. Whether streamlining the core IT operation workflows or ensuring fast and smooth environment integration – it speeds up and optimizes everything while reducing the cloud and infrastructure costs by 30%. 

Also, it promises to speed up MTTR (Mean Time To Recovery or Restore) by 50%. Furthermore, its feature-packed IT automation solution comes with a range of AIOps tools focused on improving decision-making, facilitating smarter resource allocation, and optimizing app performance.

Automation Anywhere also comes with a compact business automation solution to simplify and improve core business operations with its AI-powered cloud-native approach. It provides cloud-based automation for self-service and offers a range of visual flowcharts and drag-and-drop functionalities to enable self-automation even by non-technical teams per business requirements. Its market-driven cloud-based automation solutions also significantly reduce set-up time and costs. 

Verdict: Based on the above analysis, IBM Robotic Process Automation and Automation Anywhere both give tough competition to each other in terms of automation.

Support for diverse industries

IBM Robotic Process Automation offers a range of business processes and IT operations automation solutions for diverse industries with a particular focus on core business functionalities such as automotive, insurance, retail, banking, consumer goods, manufacturing, travel, healthcare, and many more. 

Not only does it automate and improve business processes with industry-specific RPA solutions, but it also offers infrastructure-specific solutions to give businesses a competitive edge. Its infrastructure-oriented automation solutions include automated backup & recovery, IT modernization, edge computing, high-performance computing, and cloud hosting. Also, it offers automated confidential computing to add a layer of impenetrable security to the process and works well in hybrid cloud environments.

Automation Anywhere, on the other hand, provides a range of industry-oriented automation solutions for financial services, manufacturing, BPO, public sector, healthcare, telecom, retail, and more. And not only that, each industry-specific solution comprises by-function RPA approaches for the front office, back office, customer services, human resources, shared services, and sales and marketing. This helps businesses focus on their specific requirements while speeding up industry-specific business processes and operations. 

Verdict: As discussed above, Automation Anywhere offers more effective industry-specific solutions and hence is the winner in terms of supporting diverse industries.

Customer support

IBM Robotic Process Automation offers round-the-clock customer support and a wide range of options. From downloading the required fixes, updates, and drivers to integrating specific licensed software – it simplifies everything for its customers. One can easily raise a ticket, check the status, or open a submitted/closed case per their requirements. Also, it offers a range of training courses with professional certifications and documentation solutions like IBM cloud documentation, IBM Redbooks, and others. It offers developer-specific support solutions, including developer community, developer events, technical articles, and many more.

Automation Anywhere offers multiple customer support solutions that include round-the-clock technical support. One can easily get in touch to get support based on the severity of the issues. It offers Orange, Silver, and Gold support and subscription solutions, including differential customer support hours, languages, and other consultation solutions. Also, it provides extensive documentation and sales support.

Verdict: As evident in the above discussion, IBM Robotic Process Automation is the winner in terms of customer support.

Security

IBM Robotic Process Automation offers a dedicated security and identity solution for diverse business use cases and IT functions. Some of its robust security solutions are QRadar SIEM for real-time security analysis, Randori Recon for attack surface management, Guardium for database security, and ReaQta for hypervisor-based endpoint security. Also, it offers a dedicated security verification solution with IAM software for both SaaS and security, compliance and risk management solutions.

Automation Anywhere offers in-built security solutions with diverse technology-based solutions such as Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and RPA. Also, its in-built security solutions come with industry, function and role-specific solutions. However, there is no explicit mention of its security protocols or approaches.

Verdict: IBM Robotic Process Automation is the winner in terms of providing security and identity solutions.

See More: Why Robotic Process Automation Is Coming to the Cloud

Which RPA Software to Choose?

IBM Robotic Process Automation and Automation Anywhere come with feature-packed solutions for diverse industries, functions, and use cases. And based on the area or industry you are operating in, you can pick the most suitable one per your requirements. Below is a glimpse of each of their prime applications and use cases.

Key industries and use cases of IBM Robotic Process Automation:

• Automotive
• Energy & Utilities
• Insurance
• Retail
• Banking
• Government
• Life Sciences
• Telecommunications
• Consumer Goods
• Healthcare
• Manufacturing
• Travel
• Asset Management
• Business Automation
• IT Automation
• Business Analysis

Key industries and use cases of Automation Anywhere:

• BPO
• Financial Services
• Healthcare
• Insurance
• Life Sciences
• Manufacturing
• Public Sector
• Telecom
• Retail
• Back Office
• Customer Service
• Finance & Accounting
• Front Office
• Human Resources
• Sales & Marketing
• Shared Services

Takeaway

RPA software is crucial to replace your existing business processes and functionalities with automated ones, reducing the cost of hiring additional employees and shortening the time needed to execute operations. The above guide will help you understand their core functionalities, advantages, and specific industries to pick the right one. All you need to do is set up your key priorities and requirements to unleash the technology’s full potential. 

Disclaimer: Unless stated otherwise, any information provided in this review does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement for the products listed in the article. All information in this article is provided in good faith; however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of products that are reviewed. The viewpoints expressed within the content are solely the author’s and do not reflect the views of Spiceworks Ziff Davis or its affiliates. 

Edited by Jayant Chakravarti

MORE ON ROBOTIC PROCESS AUTOMATION

• RPA vs. Intelligent Automation: Four Key Differences to Know
• Two Top Limitations of Implementing RPA in the Enterprise
• How Purpose-Built Intelligent Automation Solves the Shortcomings of RPA
• Worker Satisfaction Improves with Intelligent Automation and RPA

Which RPA software would you prefer among these two? Let us know on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window . We’d love to hear from you!

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