The proliferation of automation technologies is revolutionizing every industry. Robotic Process Automation is the most potential-packed innovation, unburdening different sectors by automating routine or less critical tasks. According to Gartner, RPA is the fastest-growing segment of the global enterprise software market and will reach 2 billion in 2021.

RPA is being deeply embedded in almost every facet of business and plays an intricate role in simplifying routine on-premise and off-premise endeavors. The high penetration of the technology is steering sectors into a world of competitive and agile working.

The global construction industry valued at $12.7 billion is looking to accelerate automation processes as a worldwide best practice. The pandemic further propelled the sector to embrace RPA while several India projects are aligning to similar goals under the Digital India Mission.

Engineering, Construction & Infrastructure projects compliance needs, supply chain management, comprehensive logistics, complex billing cycles and asset management require exhaustive processes.

Incorporating digital transformation solutions shall profoundly help scale projects' efficiencies with multi-dimension advantages, including time and cost.

Digital transformation benefits for infrastructure industry along with SAP ECC ERP & S/4 HANA processes -

Operational agility & scalability –

Infrastructure players are increasingly looking for agility. The digital workforce enables an enterprise to be able to upscale or downscale as per needs. Businesses can better respond to changing business challenges.

Massive productivity gains –

Infrastructure and construction projects are complex with high operational costs. RPA solutions liberate resources from numerous repetitive works and help divert efforts in other more strategic areas. With each project, an enterprise indulges in operational tasks when automated brings in massive productivity gains with speed, scale, and agility.

Streamlining process –

RPA plays a crucial role in reducing (TAT) turn-around time, removing process bottlenecks, and reducing deadline overruns. RPA offers contactless and paperless alternatives with higher accuracy and precision while encouraging lean and future-focused measures to sustain progress and become globally competitive.

Digging relevant business insights –

Autonomous bots deployed by the software generate relevant business analytics. The insights unearth profound business information that can navigate construction bottlenecks and growth possibilities.

Compliance efficiency –

Typically, the conventional approach to managing large-scale infrastructure projects through procurements to the payments cycle often results in potential revenue leakage. RPA ensures accuracy and minimal errors like on GST bills, eInvoicing processes, late penalty payments calculations, supplier relations, and more.

Construction projects of the future, backed by artificial intelligence, are likely to experience increased adoption of autonomous robots, minimal ergonomic risks, and more strategic decision-making.

With the continued adoption of bots working independently 24x7, the sector opts to gain advantages with consistent quality and productivity.

Written by — Mr. Ashok Wani, Head — Technology & Innovation, Highbar Technocrat Limited

Highbar Technocrat is one of the leading end-to-end IT solution provider for the Infrastructure, EC&O, Real Estate, and Power sectors. They are SAP Gold partner and offer a wide bouquet of digitally integrated solutions ranging from implementing SAP-based ERP solutions like S/4HANA, RISE, Cloud-based solutions to 5D BIM for mega infra-projects, RPA & IoT solutions, and many more. With an in-depth understanding and core competence of the construction & infrastructure industry, Highbar has demonstrated expertise in the Private, Public, and Government sectors covering roads, ports, smart cities, airports, railways, irrigation, power, water supply, as well as urban and industrial infrastructure like telecom, manufacturing, and mining sectors. Highbar is the perfect blend of domain knowledge in the infrastructure business with a team that is well equipped to understand and relate to the requirements of the sector.