Is it time to work with RPA to get started? Or do you want to take your RPA project to the next level? If so, it makes sense to engage an RPA consulting partner.

It can be difficult to determine which implementation partner best suits your project or organization. In this article, we explain how you can assess RPA consulting partners and choose the one that can best help you achieve your goals. We discuss the 4 selection criteria you should look for in a potential partner.

1. The number of certified RPA Developers

When hiring an RPA consulting partner, you want to make sure that they have enough certified RPA developers on their team. This is important because it means there is enough capacity and knowledge to develop your software robots at a high level. RPA is very low-level, which puts the quality of software robots at risk. Besides the speed of development, the security, reusability and quality of the code is incredibly important. Also for management, you want an RPA partner with enough certified RPA Developers. So that an incident can also be resolved in a timely manner during vacations or holidays. In addition, a partner with multiple RPA developers can scale with the growth of your RPA project (this goes faster than you think!).

2. Specializing in a single RPA platform

We recommend choosing a partner that specializes in one of the RPA platforms. The most popular RPA platforms are: UiPath (market leader), Power Automate, Automation Anywhere and BluePrism.

Although choosing a partner with knowledge of multiple platforms seems ideal, it is not necessary. In the end, you will still choose one platform. So first make this choice about which RPA platform you will use and then choose a partner (specialist) who will help you get the most out of it.

This results in a partner who knows all the ins and outs of your chosen platform and who can help you get the most out of it. This is desirable because the pace of (technical) development is very fast, and RPA Consultancy firms have to tiptoe to keep their knowledge up to date.

3. Support in managing software robots

A RPA implementation is not a one-time project. After initial development, your software robots need to be controlled and maintained. This requires an experienced RPA partner who can provide you with ongoing operational support.

RPA projects often grow rapidly. After a year, it is common to have as many as 20 processes automated. These RPA processes become commonplace of the organization. Once the tasks are taken out of their hands, employees no longer count on performing these tasks themselves.

Therefore, make sure that the partner you choose also offers services for managing and maintaining the software robots. This includes monitoring existing processes, making changes (if necessary), adding new software robots or decommissioning them when they are no longer relevant.

This ensures that all processes continue to run flawlessly.

4. Specific function, sector and application knowledge

Finally, it is very important to consider relevant knowledge of a function, sector and/or applications when choosing an RPA partner. The main reason is that RPA has an impact on the existing IT, processes and organization. And so its implementation is not a stand-alone IT project.

Specific knowledge of a function (e.g., Finance or HR) helps select appropriate processes, and optimize them. Knowledge of an industry helps to speak the right language, connecting to organizational and departmental goals. Knowledge of applications ensures robust software robots. It will also reduce costs due to reusability and hence less deployment required.

Therefore, make sure your potential partner understands your industry and sector, as well as any applications used internally. That way, they can think with you about the direction your RPA project can take, inform you about opportunities or ideas other companies have implemented, and come up with solutions you may have overlooked.

Here’s how to find your perfect RPA consulting partner

In summary, these are the 4 factors to consider when selecting a suitable RPA consulting partner:

• Sufficiently certified RPA Developers in permanent employment
• Specializing in your chosen RPA platform
• Management and support as a service
• Knowledge of your industry, function and applications

Curious if we are the right partner for your RPA implementation? Please contact us or view our cases.