Process Automation has the potential to yield great benefits for companies and organizations, especially in the financial services industry where companies are information-intensive and experience rich data flows. This has mostly been done through Robotic Process Automation (RPA), but the increased maturity of Machine Learning algorithms has increased the viability of combining classic RPA with Artificial Intelligence, leading to Intelligent Process Automation (IPA). However, there is a set of challenges embedded in the transition from RPA to IPA. These challenges need to be dealt with in order to ensure that the benefits of the new technology can be harvested. The aim of this research was to identify this set of challenges that the companies will face, as well as provide guidance to what preparations that need to be made before IPA can be implemented in full scale. The research was conducted as a theory building case study at a large Swedish bank. An empirical study was conducted, consisting of interviews with researchers, as well as automation professionals and R&D at the case company. The findings of the empirical study and previous research on the area were combined and condensed into a guiding framework for organizations wanting to adopt IPA. / Processautomation har potentialen att ge stora fördelar för företag och organisationer, speciellt i finansbranschen där företag är informationsintensiva och har stora dataflöden. Detta har huvudsakligen gjorts med Robotic Process Automation (RPA) men den ökade mognadsgraden av maskininlärning har snabbt förbättrat möjligheten att kombinera RPA med Artificiell Intelligens (AI) för att därmed möjliggöra Intelligent Process Automation (IPA). I övergången från RPA till IPA uppkommer däremot en del utmaningar och problem som företag måste hanteras innan potentialen med dessa nya tekniker kan förverkligas. Den här forskningen ämnar att identifiera de utmaningar som företagen kommer ställas inför samt ge vägledning för vilka förberedelser som företagen måste genomföra innan IPA kan implementeras fullskaligt i organisationen. Forskningen genomfördes som en teoribyggande fallstudie på en stor svensk bank. Den teoretiska grunden samlades in genom en omfattande litteraturstudie och en empirisk studie bestående av intervjuer med forskare samt automationsutvecklare och FoU på banken. Resultaten från litteraturstudien och empirin kombinerades och kondenserades till ett vägvisande ramverk för organisationer som vill implementera IPA.

Allt fler har fått upp ögonen för olika automatiseringstekniker för att underlätta för kunder, anställda och verksamheten. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) är en snabbt framväxande teknologi som automatiserar repetitiva och monotona arbetsprocesser som kan anses vara tidskrävande för anställda. Genom en kvalitativ fallstudie har möjligheter, utmaningar och rekommendationer som kan förekomma vid en implementering av RPA hos medelstora verksamheter som Stora Tunabyggen AB undersökts. Data som samlats in kommer från intervjuer och en dokumentstudie. En kvalitativ dataanalys genomfördes där möjligheter och utmaningar presenteras, sedan genomfördes en SWOT-analys för att finna styrkor och svagheter med RPA. SWOT-analysen användes sedan för att plocka fram rekommendationer för en eventuell implementering. Resultatet visar att det finns positiva såväl som negativa effekter vid en implementering av RPA som ett företag som överväger en implementering bör ha i åtanke. En utmaning med en implementation av RPA är att kartlägga och beskriva processerna som skall automatiseras. Möjligheten med detta är att personalen slipper fokusera på de monotona och repetitiva arbetsuppgifterna. Tunabyggen bör utvärdera hela verksamheten för en implementation av RPA för att få ut bästa möjliga effekt av RPA. En styrka med RPA är minskade mänskliga fel i verksamhetens arbetsprocesser. En av svagheterna med RPA är att det inte finns någon mänsklig kontroll före en arbetsprocess utförs. / More and more people have got their eyes on different automation techniques to make it easier for customers, employees and the business. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a rapidly evolving technology that automates repetitive and monotonous business processes that can be considered time consuming for employees. Through a qualitative case study, opportunities, challenges and recommendations that may occur during an implementation of RPA in medium-sized businesses have been investigated, like Stora Tunabyggen AB. The collected data comes from interviews and a document study. A qualitative data analysis was carried out in which opportunities and challenges were presented. Then a SWOT analysis was carried out to find strengths and weaknesses with RPA. The SWOT analysis was then used to present recommendations for a possible implementation. The result shows positive as well as negative effects that medium-sized businesses should be aware of when considering an implementation of RPA. A challenge with an implementation of RPA is to map and describe the processes that can be automated. A possibility is that the staff no longer have to focus on monotonous and repetitive tasks. Tunabyggen should evaluate the entire operation for an implementation of RPA to get the best possible effect from RPA. A strength with RPA is to reduced human error in the business processes of the organisation. One of the weaknesses of RPA is that there is no human control before a work process is performed.

Företag strävar idag alltmer efter att automatisera och effektivisera sina verksamhetsprocesser. Till följd av den digitala transformationen av vårt samhälle skapas ständigt nya möjligheter och tekniska innovationer för att stödja automatiseringen av processer genom att göra saker på helt nytt sätt genom att använda sig av modern informations- och datorteknik. Denna studie undersöker en ny teknisk innovation i form av mjukvarutekniken RPA (robotstyrd processautomation) samt dess förmåga att automatisera arbetsuppgifter som vanligtvis utförs manuellt. Studien syftar till att belysa de utmaningar som riskerar att uppstå samt vad som bör beaktas vid utvecklandet av RPA inom en verksamhetsprocess vilket redovisas i form av rekommendationer. Studiens metod utgår från ett explorativt angreppssätt, en kvalitativ datainsamling samt har en abduktiv ansats då ett fenomen både undersöks och analyseras med hjälp av teori relaterat till RPA och automatiserandet av verksamhetsprocesser. De utmaningar och rekommendationer som tagits fram baseras på resultat från mötestillfällen i form av semistrukturerade workshops baserade på utvecklingsprocessens fyra steg samt på utvecklingsgruppens egna upplevelser kombinerat med den teori som använts som underlag för analys. Studiens viktigaste resultat är att processen noga bör kartläggas och optimeras innan utvecklandet inleds samt att en ständig uppföljning med slutanvändaren genomförs i syfte för att upptäcka eventuella förändringar av krav. Någon inom utvecklingsgruppen bör, utöver ett tekniskt perspektiv, även inneha ett processperspektiv samt grundläggande kunskap kring utvecklingen av en verksamhet. / In today’s society companies increasingly strive to automate and streamline their business processes. As a result of the digital transformation of our society, new opportunities and technological innovations are constantly being created with the purpose of supporting the automation of processes by doing things in a completely new way and by utilizing modern information and computer technology. This study examines the new technological innovation in the form of a software technology called RPA (robotic process automation) and its ability to automate tasks that are usually performed manually. The study aims to highlight the challenges that are likely to arise and what the developer should consider when developing RPA within an operational process, which is presented in the form of recommendations. The method of the study is based on an exploratory approach, a qualitative data collection and an abductive approach, since a phenomenon is examined and analyzed using theory related to RPA and the automation of business processes. The challenges and recommendations that have been developed are based on results from a number of meeting sessions in the form of semi-structured workshops based on the four stages of the development process and on the development group's own experiences combined with the theory used as a basis for an analysis. The most important result of the study is that the process should be carefully mapped out and optimized before the development begins and that a continuous follow-up with the end user should be carried out in order to detect any changes in requirements. Someone within the development group should, in addition to a technical perspective, also possess a perspective related to processes and basic knowledge of business development in general.

Esta tese propõe uma arquitetura de software neuro-reativa para sistemas de automação do ambiente construído. O objetivo é facilitar o desenvolvimento, a manutenção e a expansão desses sistemas, através de três requisitos norteadores: modularidade, flexibilidade e capacidade de integração das partes. Um modelo baseado em unidades chamadas de \"neurônios\" e de \"glândulas\" é proposto. Esses elementos fundamentais têm características reativas e podem ser combinados formando diferentes sistemas de automação. Uma versão da arquitetura proposta é programada na linguagem Java utilizando tecnologias como CORBA e MySQL. Por fim, uma casa fictícia é utilizada como exemplo para demonstrar a aplicação da arquitetura proposta. / This thesis presents a neuro-reactive software architecture applied to building automation systems. The objective is to make development, maintenance and ex-pansion of these systems easier through three main requirements: modularity, flex-ibility and parts integration capability. A model with units called neurons and glands is proposed. These fundamental elements have reactive characteristics and are combined to constitute automation systems. A version of proposed architecture is programmed in Java language using technologies like CORBA and MySQL. In the end, a fictitious home automation system is used as example.

Previous research efforts aimed at understanding the relationship between automation reliability and reliance on the automation have mainly focused on a single dimension of reliability, the automations error rate. Efforts to understand the effects of additional dimensions, such as types of errors, have merely provided suggestions about the effects that automation false alarms and misses can have on human behavior). Furthermore, other dimensions of reliability, such as the distribution of errors in time, have been almost completely ignored. A multi-task simulation of an agricultural vehicle was used in this investigation. The simulator was composed of two main tasks, a collision avoidance task and a tracking task. The collision avoidance task was supported by an imperfect automated collision avoidance system and the tracking task was performed manually. The results of this investigation indicated that there are distinct patterns of reliance that develop as a function of error type, which are dependent on the state of the automation (alarms or non-alarms). The different distributions of errors across time had an effect on the estimates of reliability and subjective trust ratings. The recency of errors was negatively related to perceived reliability and trust. The results of the current investigation also suggest that older adults are able to adjust their behavior according to the characteristics of the automation, although it takes them longer to do so. Furthermore, it appears that older adults are willing to use automated systems, as long as they are reliable enough to reduce workload.

Abstract available in pdf file.

Esta tese propõe uma arquitetura de software neuro-reativa para sistemas de automação do ambiente construído. O objetivo é facilitar o desenvolvimento, a manutenção e a expansão desses sistemas, através de três requisitos norteadores: modularidade, flexibilidade e capacidade de integração das partes. Um modelo baseado em unidades chamadas de \"neurônios\" e de \"glândulas\" é proposto. Esses elementos fundamentais têm características reativas e podem ser combinados formando diferentes sistemas de automação. Uma versão da arquitetura proposta é programada na linguagem Java utilizando tecnologias como CORBA e MySQL. Por fim, uma casa fictícia é utilizada como exemplo para demonstrar a aplicação da arquitetura proposta. / This thesis presents a neuro-reactive software architecture applied to building automation systems. The objective is to make development, maintenance and ex-pansion of these systems easier through three main requirements: modularity, flex-ibility and parts integration capability. A model with units called neurons and glands is proposed. These fundamental elements have reactive characteristics and are combined to constitute automation systems. A version of proposed architecture is programmed in Java language using technologies like CORBA and MySQL. In the end, a fictitious home automation system is used as example.

Purpose - The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how Industry 4.0, with a focus on automation, can influence the need for production personnel in production. Industry 4.0 is upon us, therefore it is interesting to see what importance does production personnel have for prodcution today? And how is the production staff's role in production affected by increased automation? Method - In order to fulfil the purpose of this thesis a study was made to enlighten the problem area. Together with literature study, a solid theoretical reference frame was created that further strengthens the problem area. Lastly, interviews were made with three businesses. Once all this information was gathered, an analysis was made, that lead to conclusions.  Findings - The result of this study shows that employees today are not as interchangeable as feared. The first step is semi-automation, but that does not equal the cancellation of the working man. Instead there will be a cooperation between the employees and machine. There is a risk that the number of employers in production will decrease, but machines will never replace them entirerly. The result shows that production personnel have no reason to fear technology or see it as a threat, beacuse the employee today is till an important resource.  Implications - According to the result, automation as a whole is not as big of a threat today as feared, the first step is instead semi-automation. Since the writer chose to look at bigger companies instead of focusing on smaller ones that lack the possibility to even out the difference between automation and production personnel, it might have been interesting to have their view of the matter. It might have shown a different result.  Limitations - This thesis strives to answer above mentioned questions, focus has been put on bigger, and more developed, companies. Furthermore, no attempt has been made to look closer at the employees of these companies, instead all interviews have been made with personnel working at an executive level as well as those knowledgeable in automation.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Health care automation provides opportunities for health care agencies to save time, save money, and increase patient safety. The Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers use a program, Attachmate Reflections, for pharmacy medication order verification. This program is a command line interface that allows the use of macros, or programmed automated routines, that have the ability to automate repetitive tasks. Through the use of macro programming at the VISN 11 VA medical centers, this author was able to automate converting patients from Combivent MDI inhalers to its successor Combivent Respimat inhalers due to the MDI inhaler being withdrawn from the market. Usage of the macro resulted in a time savings of 649.1 hours, cost savings of $32,748.36, and increased patient safety by providing consistent medication instructions, correct dispense quantities, correct prescription day supply, and correct number of refills remaining on the prescription.

RPA, robotbaserad processautomatisering, är en mjukvaruteknik som används för att automatisera repetitiva regelbaserade arbetsuppgifter. RPA-tekniken börjar bli vanligare för olika verksamheter att införskaffa. Syftet med denna studie är att designa en mjukvarurobot för en ekonomisk verifikation av kundreturer. För att kunna besvara studiens frågeställning har design science forskning använts, som övergripande är en forskningsmetod med riktlinjer för att utveckla och utvärdera artefakter. Det betyder i stora drag att en blandning av litteraturstudier, kvalitativa intervjuer och kreativa metoder tillämpas beroende på vilket steg i design science processen som bearbetas. En processmodell över det ekonomiska händelseförloppet togs fram genom att analysera svaren från intervjuerna, som genomfördes hos tre olika e-handelsföretag, och litteraturstudierna. Artefakten togs fram med hjälp av verktygen Uipath, Oneup och Gmail. Uipath är ett automatiseringsverktyg för RPA-mjukvarurobotar, Oneup är ett webbaserat ekonomisystem och Gmail är en e-posthanterare. Det teoretiska bidraget denna studie har tagit fram är ett fall som inte tidigare finns beskrivet i litteraturen. RPA används ute i praktiken för ekonomisk hantering men tidigare forskning, som beskriver konkreta metoder och principer för att stödja uppsättningen av RPA-mjukvarurobotar, är få. Det praktiska bidraget som studien har tagit fram är en generell prototyp av en mjukvarurobot för hantering av ekonomisk verifikation av kundreturer. Många fördelar som nämns i teorin har hittats ute i praktiken hos de företag som har intervjuats. Artefakten som har tagits fram har en returhanteringsprocess som går att generalisera men implementeringen är beroende av vilket affärssystem som används. Ett förslag på ny forskning är att undersöka de olika RPA-teknikerna för att ta fram en mer standardiserad lösning. / RPA, Robotic Process Automation, is a software technology that is used to automate repetitive rule-based tasks. The technology of RPA is becoming more common for various businesses to acquire. The purpose of this study is to design a software robot for efficient economical verification of customer returns. To be able to answer the study’s problem statement the method of design science research has been used, which is overall a research method with guidelines for developing and evaluating artifacts. This broadly means that a mixture of literature studies, qualitative interviews and creative methods are applied depending on which step in the design science process is being processed. A process model of the economic course of events was developed through the answers from the interviews, which were conducted at three different e-commerce companies, and from the literature studies. The artifact was developed from using the tools Uipath, Oneup and Gmail. Uipath is an automation tool for software robots, Oneup is a web-based economic system and Gmail is an email handler. The theoretical contribution by this study is that it describes something that has not been described in the previous research yet. The practical contribution is a general prototype that manages the economic verification of customer returns. Many advantages that have been mentioned in the theory have also been found in the three companies that were interviewed. The artifact’s return management process can be generalized. However, the artifact’s implementation is dependent on which system that is used. One suggestion for future research would be to investigate the different RPA-techniques to develop a standardized solution. This bachelor thesis will be written in Swedish.