Malaysia is one case study that demonstrates how barriers to automation adoption can be addressed
Despite a healthy and growing digital economy in Malaysia, one digital barrier to the adoption of robotic process automation (RPA) has been accrued to factors such as prohibitive costs, a lack of localized solutions, and a limited awareness of the technology’s potential
In today’s fast-paced global digital economy, where being quick and adaptable is crucial, automation is key to ensuring businesses stay afloat and thrive in a competitive market.
So, how can businesses in Malaysia, or countries with similar challenges, overcome the barriers to stay afloat amid current geopolitical turmoil and uncertainty?
Addressing unique challenges
Malaysian businesses face unique challenges that hinder the adoption of RPA in the country.
The diverse regulatory landscape, varying across industries, and the presence of legacy systems, make it difficult for businesses to implement standardized RPA solutions.
These regulatory requirements and legacy systems often involve repetitive manual operations in areas such as data collection, verification, and reporting — complicating the process.
While some argue that the repetitive nature allows workers to remain in their comfort zone without change, others see RPA as a transformative technology that can streamline tasks and enhance efficiency.
Concerns also arise regarding potential job losses and the need for significant initial investments associated with integrating automation technologies.
Despite concerns about job loss, automation — including RPA — has the potential to redefine job roles rather than replace humans entirely. By automating certain tasks, organizations can free up employees to focus on more creative and value-adding responsibilities, ultimately leading to positive outcomes.
Improving RPA uptake
The future of RPA in Malaysia looks promising, with a clear shift towards more advanced solutions and an increasing recognition of the benefits of automation by businesses.
The expectation is that RPA will continue to advance and cater to a broader range of industries, demonstrating an ability to learn from previous tasks and make decisions based on data analysis. To improve RPA uptake, more long-term public-private collaborations can be set up to raise awareness and reduce resistance through show-and-tell demonstrations and incentives to show the myriad benefits:
- By leveraging RPA businesses can expect improvements in efficiency, cost savings, and scalability.
- This integration also addresses the limitations of traditional automation methods, enabling the automation of complex tasks that were previously considered challenging.
- Also, the significance of RPA in upskilling the workforce cannot be overstated. As businesses navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic landscape, RPA will play a pivotal role in streamlining processes, enhancing productivity, and mitigating human error.
- By automating routine tasks, employees can focus on more valuable and strategic aspects of their roles, fostering professional growth and skills development.
While automation presents its own set of pros and cons, a nationwide campaign to encourage RPA uptake will signal the practical imperative for businesses to adopt it as a core element of their operational strategies. This would be a catalyst for Malaysian businesses to gain a competitive edge and succeed in the ever-changing global business environment.
