3 ms·
My rule of thumb: - If there's some boring business process (that usually involves copy-and-pasting) - Which you just know could be automated easily if only t
by isp 6y ago
My rule of thumb:
- If there's some boring business process (that usually involves copy-and-pasting)
- Which you just know could be automated easily if only there was an API, but there isn't
- And everyone who's ever asked about an API has been told it's too difficult/expensive/etc to create an API (e.g., for an ancient legacy system)
... then there's the RPA opportunity.
In my opinion, it's not popular on HN for the same reason that legacy systems aren't popular on HN.
- donarb 6y agoIt's also known as "swivel chair automation", replacing manual tasks with an automated process.
- stevegalla 6y agoI’ve heard a few descriptions of swivel chair: 1. swivel chair work is any work that requires someone sitting in front of a computer to do. 2. swivel chair work is when you’re having to swivel your chair from one screen to another. This requires swiveling between applications to complete your work. 3. swiveling the monitor between customer and retail sales associate to collect inputs. When you’re referring to replacing manual tasks with an automated process, are you referring to 2 above?
- donarb 6y agoYea, it could be #2. You could think of a person sitting in front of a computer who needs to refer to physical data from printed binders or paper files stored on shelves near the computer. The user would have to swivel their chair to get books/papers to refer to getting input data. It could also involve more than one computer or screen.