Robotic Process Automation
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RPA is a way to automate repetitive and often rule – based processes
RPA records actions a human does to complete a computer-based process
Processes performed by a BOT can be monitored and recorded at every step, producing valuable
data and audit trail
RPA supply processing capacity to meet demand that is spiky or cyclical in nature
Processes which are rule based and independent of human judgement are suitable for RPA
Checklist to identify processes suitable for RPA
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Rule – based process
Digital trigger-initiated process, supported by digital data
Functioning and stable process
High volume process
Automation Anywhere has four levels of integration, User Interface, Application Programming Interface,
Operating System and Database. Automation Anywhere platform is Infrastructure agnostic
Automation Anywhere Architecture
Bot Creators and Bot Runners are authorized, controlled, and managed from the Control Room. Bot
Creator is licensed for each type of Bot and includes a runtime system for execution and testing. It runs
on windows and must be connected to an active Control Room to function.
Unique Features of Automation Anywhere
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Auto – calibration Technology
Artificially Intelligent Technology
Cognitive Capabilities and Analytics
Natural Language Processing
Embedded Analytics
System Logs and Auto – Compliance Features
Automated Processes
Web – based control room
Private Key and Public Key Infrastructure
Versioning System
Licensing and Execution
Multiple Layers of Security
Automation Anywhere has 3 recorders: a smart recorder, a screen recorder, and a web recorder.
BOT
Automation Anywhere Bots are engineered in rapid time to work across any application operating at User
Interface or UI, Application Program Interface or API, Operating System or OS and Database layers.
There are 3 types of BOTs
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Task Bot
IQ Bot
Meta Bot
Task Bots are responsible for execution of tasks and form the base for automating all functions of
Automation Anywhere Enterprise. Task Bot executes repetitive rule-based processes that rely on
structured data.
These bots operate in the presentation layer of any desktop – based execution and can execute multi –
step processes around the clock with no errors.
Automation Anywhere Enterprise has 3 types of recorders:
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Standard Recorder (Screen Recorder)
Object Recorder (Smart Recorder)
Web Recorder
IQ Bots are next generation intelligent Bots that allow developers to add cognitive capabilities to
automated business processes. As traditional automation cannot access most company data and
information, knowledge workers struggle to find the right information to feed business processes. There
are large variations in document formats and extremely unstructured nature of communications, like
emails and instant messages, pose challenge for automation.
IQ bots can be taught by humans to uncover and transform such important but hidden or ‘dark’ data that
is used to automate business processes faster and more efficiently while simultaneously eliminating
human induced errors. Humans can validate any failed documents, and with every such validation, IQ Bot
learns and grows smarter.
Features and Benefits of IQ BOT Portal
The IQ BOT Portal helps analyze data using semantic analysis and automated classification feature through
learning algorithms to extract data accurately and to categorize various document types and formats, such
as invoices, purchase orders, and bills. For this, it leverages the latest computer vision technology to more
accurately digitize documents than traditional OCR technology.
IQ Bot Workflow
Straight – through processing is the percentage of uploaded files that have been successfully processed
without manual intervention
Meta Bots is an automation blueprint of an application that can be re-used to optimize automation
processes. Meta Bots enable users to create automation building blocks that capture information in the
form of visuals or application APIs. These can be integrated as commands and further supplemented by
varied processes to deliver at multiple levels. Meta Bots can be constructed using visual captures or
screen, Application APIs or DLL, and Navigational Flows or logic.
Visual captures are GUI components or Screens of an application. In Meta Bot designer, a visual capture
is referred as a Screen.
In Meta Bot Designer, Screens and DLLs form the Assets, using which users can define and preconfigure
any use case of a target application to create a navigational flow, known as logic.
Meta Bots are reusable, they show us in automation command library of AA Enterprise and can be
leveraged by any automation task.
Understanding LOGIC in Meta Bot Designer
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Independent yet functional unit of a process
Represents a part of navigational flow of an application
Can be integrated into automation tasks as and when required
Use Assets such as Screens and DLLs to design a Logic Block
Upload the Logic Blocks to Control Room
Advanced Additional Features and Capabilities of the Enterprise Platform
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Integrated Version Control that enables sophisticated, collaborative, consistent, controlled, and
reliable enterprise – wide automation process development and deployment
The Control Room is tightly integrated with the subversion and Version Control System. Version
Control enables administrator to:
o Configure various parameters required to connect to SVN repository
o Map, un-map, or re-map SVN server path to Control Room local path
o Unlock a Bot locked by any user and allow access to other users
o Upload the existing Control Room repository to SVN and use it as a base for Version
Control
Version Control enables the clients to:
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Download or get the latest version of Bot from a central repository
Upload or check – in a new or existing Bot to the central repository
Explicitly checkout a Bot before modifying it
See version history of a Bot for information about changes
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Revert or rollback to any previous version of the Bot
 Credential Vault
o Create and store credentials
o Used in Bots without compromising security
o Authorized user can create credentials
o A repository with the Control Room database
o Bank graded security
o Centralized repository
o Sensitive data is encrypted during transit using hybrid security through RSA plus AES plus
HMAC which is 2048 bit key
o Password or any other sensitive information is not stored on the client machine. Rather it is
encrypted using AES 25 and RSA 2048 algorithms and stored into the repository using SHA256
algorithm after salting
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Business Analytics
o SQL database is the default database used
Recorders
Smart Recorder
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Features “SMART” Technology for desktop applications and websites
Works on object, co-ordinates, image playback mode
Features adjustable object identification criteria
Captures windows objects and controls such as: Text from dropdown menus, list boxes, buttons,
mouse click actions, status from radio buttons and checkboxes
This is used when you want to record a series of actions on your computer that require capturing objects
from applications that use HTML, Java, WPF, Flex or Silverlight.
All keystroke actions and mouse clicks are saved as a set of Object Cloning commands in the Workbench.
Tasks can be recorded in IE 9.0 and above only.
While using the Smart Recorder it is recommended you use the “Click” action instead of “Tab” to navigate
across controls.
Screen Recorder
 Suits simple tasks involving mouse clicks and keyboard operations
 Requires the same OS and screen resolution
 Is limited to static screens and simple desktops or web applications
This is used when running an automated process on the same computer on which it was recorded
Web Recorder
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Enables automation of internet – related task functions
Features “SMART” technology ideal for websites
Records actions based on provider URL
Extracts single data, pattern-based data and tables
Navigates web controls
Works as a browser – based tool
Support IE 100%
This can record the following web objects – URL command line, dropdown menus, command bar icons,
text fields, graphics, buttons, navigation and hotspot links and forms.
When a task is recorded using a Web Recorder, if the layout of the web page changes and the web controls
move to a different location in the page, Automation Anywhere is capable of locating the new position of
those controls and running the task correctly.
Uses of Web Recorder
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Opening Web Pages
Navigating through Search
Logging into a website
Entering data into forms and submitting them
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Extracting data and updating database records
Using a web-based ERP system
Testing an online application
To stop recording - Ctrl + Alt + S
Workbench Command Library
Variables
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Default or System Variables
o Predefined variables defined by Automation Anywhere
o Available in all Automation Tasks
Local or User Defined Variables
o Defined by a user for a particular task
o Available only within the available task
Types of local variables
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List Variable – Holds multiple values in a single dimension. Used for retrieving multiple values,
one by one such as – sending emails to multiple recipients, passing different values inside of a
loop, searching multiple web addresses
Array Variable – Is a multi – dimensional variable that holds multiple values in a table of rows and
columns. Used for extracting data from web pages, extracting multiple rows of data, reading, or
writing data, filling out forms
Value Variable – Used when user needs to hold a single value and use it in multiple places
Random Variable – Generates a random, repetitive string or a numerical set. Used in strings and
numeric
Variable Manager
Variable Manager tab can be used for creating a new user variable, it allows you to modify, delete,
copy/paste a variable within an automation task. It also displays 2 predefined variables “my-list-variable”
and “Prompt - Assignment” (for single value)
“Show System Variable” – Displays the list of System Variables
Variable Operation Command – Allows you to assign or reset local variables. Also a few system variables
like AAControlRoom, Email CC, Email From, Email Message, Email Received Date, Email Received Time,
Email Subject
To insert a System Variable in a message field, use the F2 key.
Loop Command
Loop Command provides with 4 different structures to automate repetitive tasks:
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Start Loop – Enables start of loop, defines series of actions to automate a repetitive task until
condition is met
End Loop – Enables end of loop, is inserted along with Start loop
Exit Loop – Enables to break out from a loop, exists between Start and End loop commands
Continue – Use this structure to continue the next iteration of a loop, executes actions between
this structure and End loop
Each row in an Internet Explorer Table – Use in conjunction with the Extract Table sub – command of the
web recorder command
Each row in an Excel dataset – is used in conjunction with the Get Multiple Cells sub-command of the
Excel command
The cell values retrieved using Get Multiple Cells sub-command are stored in the $ExcelColumn$ system
variable
Image Recognition Command
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Match Percentage – A 100% means none of the pixels should mismatch between the 2 images
Comparison Mode – Provides 4 modes:
o Advanced Mode (Default and Recommended) – Provides accurate results in cases where the
screen resolution/zooming, or application scaling is subject to change
o Normal Mode – Compares the RGB components of the pixels with the source
o Gray – scaled Mode – Converts pixels to an appropriate level of gray – scale prior to comparing
o Monochrome mode with Threshold – Converts pixels to either black or white prior to
comparing
Insert Work Item Command
Criteria for using Insert Work Item Command:
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Need Bot Creator License
Setup Queue in Control Room Workload prior to using it in a Task bot
Need to be a participant
If the Queue in in run mode and associated with a bot to process work items in the Queue, a STAGED error
condition occurs.
Variable that defines a data or value as a work item - WorkItems
Error Handling Command
Error view tab in Workbench is used to manage errors. Use the Error View panel in conjunction with the
Error Handling capability to properly debug your tasks. To activate the Error View, select link “Error View”
Take Snapshot, Run Task, Log data into file, Send Email and Variable Assignment
Manage Web Controls Command
Web Controls are objects on webpages that run when the page is requested and render markup to a
browser.
Manage Web Controls subcommand is in the Web Recorder command.
This command can be used to insert actions to Links, Drop-down menus, Checkboxes and Radio buttons.
Details are under the Capture Tab
Additional actions can be defined using “Advanced View Button”.
Log to file Command
Encoding – ANSI, UNICODE and UTF8
Uses:
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Verifies the TaskBot or MetaBot Logic runs properly
Adds a Timestamp
Creates a new Log file
Specifies custom text
Uses log file as a variable
If/Else Command
Manage Windows Control Command
Uses:
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Performing actions on the controls
Assigning captured properties to variables
Recording actions that are performed simultaneously
Manage Windows Control Command can perform actions that use only standard Windows controls. If
your application contains customized controls, it might not be able to capture them.
File/Folder Command
Object Cloning Command
If you enable “Secure Recording Mode”, no values and images are captured. The Edge application should
be open when automating using the browser. If the automation is recorded in Internet Explorer, it will not
play in Edge.
The Meta Bot Designer
Bot Creator user with MetaBot Repository access permissions, you can perform various actions.
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Assets
Logic
BOT Insight
Enable Analytics for this task
Business Analytics – Types of Roles
Analytics Experts
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Dashboard – Provides customizable reports that can be published to be viewed by Analytics
Consumers
o Share via Email
o Bookmark
o Save As
o Publish
o Compare (dashboards in Configuration section)
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Data Profile – It allows you to inspect the data profile against each variable that was marked for
Analytics with the task
Analytics Consumers
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Share via Email
Bookmark
Compare (dashboards in Configuration section)
Control Room Admin
Variable Operation Command – Select Variable – Specify Value (Filedata COlumn) & then position in
excel
Web Control Room
Dashboards
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Home – Displays the total number of active users, status of the bots, total scheduled bots, total
queue and bot velocity
Bots – Provides a graphically summarized view of all the deployed bots in the Control Room
Devices – Displays information of where the bots are deployed and Bot runner machines
Audit
Workload
Insights
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Activity
Provides detailed information about the automation on a network. Monitors running, deployed or
scheduled tasks
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In progress
Scheduled
Historical
BOTS
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My Bots
Credentials
Devices
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Bot Runners and Bot Creators
Workload
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SLA Calculator calculates the processing time/number of devices required to meet the desired
Service Level Agreement
Queues are collection of work items
Audit Log
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Provides information of all the actions performed in the Control Room
Enforces internal compliance regulations and prevents tampering with mission – critical processes
Administrator
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Settings – Manages the general settings of the Web Control Room
Users – Manage users and administrators who play various roles in Automation
Roles – Manages and/or assigns roles required to perform various functions by users
Licenses
Migration
Dashboard is the first level of navigation that consists of 6 components. Data is viewed in the form of
widgets.
No of active users, no. of existing bots (completed, failed, stopped, timed etc.), no. of upcoming bots
scheduled, no. of queues.
CPU utilization displays the number of BOTS scheduled for the next 7 days
BOTS
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Bot Heartbeat Widget – statistical representation of the relationship between the failure score of
a bot and the respective bot.
MVP Bots Widget – Displays bots based on the maximum processing time and the number of
times they run
Top Failure Reasons Widgets
Bot Status – Tracks the progression based on the status:
o Deploy Failed
o Stopped
o Started
o Failed
o Completed
Device
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Failure Analysis
CPU Utilization
Memory Utilization
HDD Utilization
Overall Device Status
Upcoming Device Utilization
Audit
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Advanced Distribution by Activity Type widget – Provides a chart based view of activities filtered
on the Action Type column
Activity audit trail by Host Machine type - Provides a chart based view of activities filtered on the
Source column
Activity audit trail by user name – filtered on Action Taken By
Failed activity log by user name – action taken by Action Type and Source column
Workload
Allows you to view the status of device pools, queues and work items in the Workload Executive and or
Operation Manager’s dashboard
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Executive Dashboard
 Device Pools by backlog – Allows you to view the device pools by backlog. Backlog is the
number of hours it takes to complete the existing work items from all automation in that pool.
Allows you to adjust the device pool size or reorder the automations
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Queues by time widget – Allows you to view the list of queues ordered by time to complete.
Time to complete is the number of hours it to complete the existing work items. Allows you
to pause or change the priority of the automations
Queue Status – List of queues that were processed in the last n days. Allows you to monitor
the progress of your workload items
Queue with average processing time – Allows you to view the list of queues that were
processed in the last n days with average processing time. Allows you to understand if there
is any issue with the processing of these work items
Operation Managers Dashboard
o Device Pools by FTE – Allows you to measure the value of each pool in terms of the equivalent
manual effort required to process the same work item
o Pools by decreasing error rate
o Device pools by backlog
o Device pools by average wait time
BOTS
My Bots – Displays Bots files and folders that are uploaded in AA Enterprise Client
Credentials – All Control Room users can create credentials Manage my lockers permissions can create
lockers
Device Pool – Is a collection of Bot runners to run bots with queues.
A system role AAE pool admin must be assigned for a user to Administer all device pools and by default
the AAE Admin role will only see device pools where they are assigned as a device pool owner
Administer all lockers can manage all the lockers in the vault
Workload
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Queues
SLA Calculator
Control Room Admin with Create Queues privilege can create queues
You can see only those queues for which you are the owner, participant or consumer.
Queue Status – In use, draft and Not in use (no automation associated)
Audit Log
Administration