If you're using a bot to poll for data, you're doing it wrong.
We've all been there. We need a bot to pick up data from a mailbox or shared file location or something similar, but the file could arrive at any point, so what do we do? We use a bot to check for the file at a regular interval, but this presents us with a catch 22 situation:
Strategy A - we check for the file regularly throughout the day - the advantage being that we pick it up quickly and action the process promptly. The problem however, is that we're using up quite a bit of licence capacity, the majority of which is wasted. Its a costly strategy.
Strategy B - we check less frequently, maybe once a day, but then our SLA suffers.
So what other options exist?
Smart RPA's Catalyst application has many functions but one of the most common uses is to monitor a depository/mailbox on behalf of the bot. It senses when a file is delivered, and triggers the bot automatically, as shown below:
This solution means that Catalyst removes the overhead of monitoring randomly for a file that may or may not be there. It removes the guesswork and waste of the original strategies and instead triggers the bot immediately the file arrives.
Catalyst optimises RPA in ways that we've just taken for granted for years. It's time to do things differently and stop accepting mediocracy and inefficiencies inherent in the traditional toolsets.
Ask me to schedule a demo of Catalyst.
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11moThis appears to be just moving the "Checking Work" from one software product to another. I think there is also a question about whether "No new file" is really wasted work. There can be value in "Knowing" that state, for example, triggering a connection check to discover a wider issue.
Catalyst is revolutionary for RPA efficiency. Automating file detection optimizes bot usage and eliminates unnecessary waste. It's a smart solution that addresses cost and SLA concerns effectively.
General Manager - Data, AI & Innovation at Avec Global | Intelligent Automation | RPA | Advanced UiPath Certified
11moPretty much any functionality in Windows which replicated inotifywait will monitor for file changes. Then setup a webhook. Poor license utilisation is usually a result of poor design choices. Knowing a wide variety of tools and being able to pick the right tool for the job is critical to good design decisions. Most RPA tools arent meant for backend event driven tasks. Let the event handlers do what they are designed for and allow RPA to do what it is designed for.
Global Intelligent Automation & GenAI Leader | AI Agent Strategy & Innovation | Top AI Voice | Top 25 Thought Leaders | Co-Host of InsightAI | Speaker | Gartner Peer Ambassador | Forbes Technology Council
11moThere are many opportunities with specific vendors that can drive these interactions saving time, money and licensing. I would say to work with one of them use their product and not waste a bot license capturing or sending emails when it’s unnecessary and costly.