Due to rapid technology advancement, eCommerce is undergoing a major transformation and is steadily becoming more efficient and customer-centric than ever.
Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Augmented Reality are already widely used in eCommerce, bringing benefits to both retailers and customers. Another technology that contributes to eCommerce development is RPA, or Robotic Process Automation.
By deploying RPA, eCommerce entrepreneurs can manage their business in a more efficient and organized manner. Below, we look at the different ways RPA is used in eCommerce and the benefits it delivers.
RPA 101
RPA, or Robotic Process Automation, is a technology, governed by business logic and structured inputs, that automates repetitive, rule-based business processes. As CIO nicely puts it, “RPA is an application of technology, governed by business logic and structured inputs, aimed at automating business processes”.
Automation of processes eliminates the need for a human operator and means that technology can independently handle the needed tasks.
Basic RPA examples include filling in customers’ profiles with data or processing claims. RPA aims to automate the micro-processes of a company and let employees focus on tasks that demand deeper, more thorough analysis.
Integrating RPA into business processes saves time and resources while minimizing the number of possible errors. For eCommerce, automating processes directly impacts customer experience, which in turn can lead to better sales. Given the complexity of many eCommerce platforms, RPA integration is highly recommended. Magento eCommerce development, for example, is aimed at turning this complex platform into a smoothly functioning selling environment – and combined with RPA, the platform can truly work wonders.
Increasingly, RPA also shows up in the form of an eCommerce browser with RPA capabilities – a browser-based automation layer that lets teams handle repetitive tasks, such as price updates, inventory checks, or order processing, directly inside a store’s admin panel or a supplier’s portal. Pairing this kind of eCommerce browser RPA setup with AI-driven tools makes it possible to run your store with AI and minimal manual coding involved.
Payment processing
eCommerce involves dozens of processes, and payment is perhaps the most important of them all, as it deals with customers’ money and the security of their transactions.
Payment processing involves many actions, and all of them have to be carried out flawlessly: financial filings, accounts payable and accounts receivable, account reconciliation, and much more. RPA helps businesses unite all payment processes into a single mechanism that works seamlessly across all channels.
Customer support and personalization
Shoppers crave personalization and are often willing to wait for a product or disclose personal information in exchange for a more personalized experience. RPA successfully addresses this need and lets eCommerce marketers delight customers and drive conversions.
Automating order placement, information search, and other processes related to customer interaction with the store results in a faster, better user experience and increases customer loyalty. An example of RPA in customer support is sending automatic order notifications and collecting customer feedback after an order is received.
ERP management
An Enterprise Resource Planning system helps manage all business processes and keeps them in one place. The catch is that there are hundreds of micro-processes running within each process, and they consume significant time when handled manually.
RPA can automate the entire ERP workflow and free up hours previously spent on mundane work. You can also integrate your ERP with inventory management to always know the status of your resources.
Marketing automation
Marketing is essential, as it helps people learn about your store. Beyond the creative side, marketing also includes sending bulk emails, updating customer information, handling complaints, and any other activity that involves interacting with shoppers.
RPA helps automate these processes and provides marketers with a ready set of data that can later be used for planning future campaigns – including campaigns aimed at reaching shoppers across popular eCommerce marketplace services.
Logistics management
Supply chain management demands significant attention since it deals with products and their safe transfer from supplier to consumer. From inventory management to shipping and order monitoring, RPA is invaluable, as it adds security and speed to the logistics process.
RPA can handle the entire process, send notifications on order status, keep you alert about inventory, and manage all other tasks involved in product shipping. With RPA, eCommerce retailers can ship faster and more efficiently while always knowing what’s happening with their orders.
Conclusion
Robotic Process Automation is a valuable asset for eCommerce entrepreneurs ready to adopt the latest technological innovations for the benefit of their business. While saving time and money, RPA also helps increase sales by delivering a better customer experience and smoother, error-free operations.
