Proximus NXT and KPMG

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a particularly relevant approach for taking the first step towards implementing a digital transformation strategy. It involves using software – or a robot – to perform tasks previously carried out by humans, faster and without interruptions or errors. Delivered as a service, RPA promises to deliver the expected results without the burden of governance, risk management, compliance and security constraints.
 

An end-to-end RPA service

The shared objective of Proximus NXT and KPMG is to help organisations successfully complete the first phase of their digital transformation by giving them the means to automate their business processes quickly and efficiently. In this context, Proximus NXT provides RPA “as-a-service”, in the form of a comprehensive service covering infrastructure requirements, configuration, development with the necessary expertise and the underlying technologies required to execute automated tasks performed by the new digital workforce implemented at the customer: the robot. KPMG, meanwhile, contributes its proven expertise in strategic business consulting on digitalisation-related topics, as well as its extensive experience in deploying and implementing robotic solutions for numerous Luxembourg-based clients.
This first step towards digitalisation can generate significant cost savings while increasing employee satisfaction, allowing employees to focus on exception management and, above all, devote their time to higher-value activities. RPA enables the integrated interoperability of heterogeneous systems (web platforms, file servers, databases, etc.), the extraction, comparison, manipulation and processing of all types of technical and financial data, as well as the automatic completion and sending of documents.
 

A virtuous cycle

The RPA-as-a-Service solution offered by Proximus NXT has the potential to trigger a virtuous cycle of gradual business process automation. “RPA projects often act as an accelerator and open the door to many other opportunities. They encourage customers to look at other processes in order to further optimise efficiency, reduce costs and adopt a genuine strategic approach to digital transformation,” explains Benoît Delobbe, Head of Business Consulting at Proximus NXT. “Many processes currently in place within companies can benefit from digitalisation and eliminate the need for essential but highly time-consuming fixes, adjustments and updates,” he adds.

“RPA is often considered the first step towards intelligent business automation. However, we have observed that moving from a few processes in production to a highly automated organisation can be significantly more complex. In addition to the important governance aspects, it is essential to be able to scale up this technology quickly. RPA-as-a-Service generally allows companies to move away from issues related to individual licence costs and optimising bot allocation, and instead pay based on usage according to their current needs,” explains Julien Baudouin, Senior Manager responsible for digital transformation topics at KPMG.
 

3 service models

Proximus NXT’s RPA service offering is available in three models. The first enables the solution to be deployed on-premises, within the company’s own infrastructure: with KPMG’s support, Proximus NXT conducts the preliminary consulting engagement, provides and installs the required software licences, carries out the development and integration, and finally trains the users.
The second model – Hosted Proximus NXT Datacenters – applies to companies whose infrastructure is managed and operated in the Proximus NXT cloud, with business process automation added on top.

The third approach consists of an RPA-as-a-Service solution. This is a hybrid model in which the core of the solution runs in Proximus NXT’s data centres while the robot is deployed within the company’s infrastructure. Proximus NXT provides consulting services, installs, configures and develops the robot, and opens and secures the network so that the robot can communicate with the data centre. With this model, customers can benefit from management and security services, as well as uninterrupted 24/7 monitoring.
“Proximus NXT therefore enables companies that do not have sufficient critical mass to benefit from a turnkey RPA solution that is easy to implement, agile and flexible, allowing them to address a specific business challenge and give their teams the opportunity to focus on higher-value activities,” says Philippe Bonbled, Business Consultant at Proximus NXT.
 

Preparing today for tomorrow

The impact an RPA solution can have on a company’s operations and competitive positioning is significant in several respects, whether in terms of economic value, benefits related to skills and talent management, improvements in quality and control, or increased agility that has an impact on the organisation as a whole.
According to Gartner, RPA solutions are playing an increasingly critical role in the digital transformation of businesses and the digitisation of business processes. The firm estimates that the RPA market would grow by 19.5% in 2021 compared with 2020, reaching two billion dollars. Despite the economic pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, market growth was expected to remain in double digits at least through 2024[1].

As companies increase the level of automation across their operations, they will continue to build experience in this area and new applications for RPA will emerge. This will enable them to establish sustainable changes and maintain their competitive advantage. In other words, RPA can help companies prepare today to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
 

1] Forecast Analysis: Robotic Process Automation Worldwide, Gartner, September 2020