What is our primary use case?
I started with UiPath Platform for evaluation purposes and found it to be effective. We are now using it for processes and Intelligent Document Processing (IDP). These are the two main use cases that I have implemented using UiPath Platform. There are several different scenarios we can implement, and I have used it for both RPA and IDP.
I have used both attended and unattended automation options. The majority of my processes are unattended, but I have developed attended processes as well.
How has it helped my organization?
UiPath Platform is a low code solution. It offers a wide variety of activities and integrations with multiple applications, including CRM tools. At the same time, it provides us the flexibility to write our own custom code using features like Invoke Code or languages such as VBA and Python. This means we have the freedom to create our own code while also benefiting from a low code platform that allows us to build solutions based on existing activities.
One of the great things about UiPath Platform is its rapid evolution. This keeps people interested, especially when news breaks that new features are rolling out. Organizations become curious about potential use cases and how they can implement these updates. It’s impressive that they invest so much in improvement because it helps us enhance our offerings to business teams. With a single tool that encompasses a variety of functionalities, we can seamlessly integrate and address multiple problems simultaneously.
What is most valuable?
UiPath Platform is evolving and continuously adding new features. When I started, UiPath Platform was straightforward and easy to learn, even easy to implement because every function or predefined action, called an activity, was self-cleared and self-explanatory regarding its function, input, output format, and capabilities. They are currently implementing AI in every single product of theirs.
What needs improvement?
It is currently becoming somewhat complicated because AI is good, but too much of everything might spoil the dish. They are trying to evolve or include AI features everywhere, which could be challenging because I am not able to find proper use cases for each product having AI. Until we have specific use cases, we would not be able to use it effectively, and this also complicates the development and environment. This is one concern I have currently, though they might have other perspectives while developing this. My personal view is that involving AI in every product might be premature until we find actual use cases.
The AI integration is promising. We can utilize AI across various applications. We have autopilot functions, auto-healing capabilities, and now they’ve introduced IXP, which stands for Intelligent Access and Processing using AI. Additionally, we have communication mining for large language models (LLMs), which is a significant advancement. While it's good that we are leveraging AI to tackle problems, I do have concerns about relying too heavily on AI without fully understanding its actual usage. There’s a trend to incorporate AI into everything, even basic RPA tasks. That’s something to keep in mind.
My primary concern is related to the lack of clear use cases for AI technologies. I am a fan of AI and actively use it, but without proper use cases, its applications can seem unproductive. As we introduce these tools, their complexity tends to increase, and without defined scenarios for implementation, it becomes challenging to adapt to the technology effectively. Currently, new features are being rolled out, but we lack comprehensive insights into how to set them up and utilize them effectively. It would be helpful to understand the specific scenarios where we can apply these tools. If I had access to relevant use cases, I would be able to leverage AL tools more effectively. When new products are offered, it's essential that the providers also include use cases, training, and documentation to fill this information gap.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using UiPath Platform for around seven to eight years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The downtime for UiPath Platform is very minimal. I would rate it a nine out of ten.
For bugs, I would give a rating of around eight and a half. While they may not have many bugs, there could be better documentation. They offer a wide range of features, so having proper documentation and clear configurations is very important.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability is good for UiPath Platform. I would rate it a nine out of ten.
My organization works only on RPA solutions, so about 80% to 90% people are working with UiPath Platform. The client we are working with has a very small team of two to three developers.
How are customer service and support?
Initially, their support was great, but now, since they are catering to a larger number of customers, I learned that they have different support plans. This means that support can be provided via email or phone, depending on the support plan you purchase from them. For resolving any issues, I believe it would be more effective to discuss matters over a call rather than through emails.
I am uncertain if they are fully aware of how this shift has affected their support quality. In the past, it seemed there were no different support plans, but now there are. I'm not sure about the cost differences either, but I would prefer comprehensive support for those who are paying for it.
There are instances where I encounter configuration issues that aren't well documented or where I face understanding gaps. Coming from a technical background, I often find that certain configurations need to be handled by the infrastructure team. In those situations, getting assistance from the support team would be much easier if we could arrange a call rather than relying on email exchanges.
How would you rate customer service and support?
How was the initial setup?
With cloud infrastructure, they manage the entire application environment themselves. In contrast, on-premises setups are more complex, as we need to deploy multiple applications that require integration. This approach also comes with certain limitations, particularly regarding the use of large language models (LLMs) and AI technologies. Therefore, deploying solutions on the cloud is generally easier compared to managing them on-premises, which can be a bit more challenging.
I have been using their cloud solution for the last four to five years, but the Orchestrator is on-premises.
In terms of maintenance, an RPA solution requires ongoing maintenance, especially when applications are updated, formatting changes, or processes are modified. Various factors can necessitate upgrading or maintaining RPA systems. However, if there are no external impacts on the process, inputs, or outputs, the system can run smoothly for an extended period—possibly for a year or more—without issues or significant maintenance. Dependent applications, such as third-party applications, which are outside the control of RPA, can impact the process. Changes or updates to these external applications can indeed impact the overall process.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I'm not heavily involved in pricing, but I know that license prices are continuously increasing. The cost often depends on the organization and the number of licenses purchased, with larger purchases generally resulting in lower costs. This can lead to savings on extra expenses, especially since providers are now offering solutions as a service. For smaller organizations that may not have the infrastructure to support complex setups, using tools directly on UiPath Cloud can be a viable option. This strategic approach seems to be well thought out by the providers.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
My experience with various tools leads me to believe that UiPath is significantly ahead of its competitors. They invest a lot of resources into continuously evolving and upgrading their products, especially with the incorporation of AI technology, which is a hot topic right now.
However, it's important to note that your choice of tools depends on your specific needs. For basic Robotic Process Automation (RPA), there are multiple vendors available that may offer more affordable options, including some open-source tools in the market.
When it comes to Intelligent Document Processing (IDP), there are also numerous vendors to consider. Ultimately, what matters most is your priorities and requirements. UiPath stands out in the market due to its comprehensive suite of solutions, which includes RPA, testing tools, IDP tools, Intelligent Process Automation (IPA), process mining tools, and communication mining tools. This wide range of offerings can greatly aid organizations in their digital transformation journeys. Therefore, UiPath is a leading choice for RPA products.
What other advice do I have?
UiPath Insights is a valuable feature. Recently, they introduced UiPath Maestro, which I believe is focused on BPMN processes. For analytics, there are tools for communication mining and process mining. However, I haven't worked with any specific analytics tools yet. While UiPath does provide various insights, I wouldn't say there’s a dedicated analytics tool that I've used.
I would recommend it depending on the use case. If you are looking for an enterprise-level or full end-to-end solution for your automation journey, you should consider UiPath Platform. However, if you only need individual functionality like Robotic Process Automation (RPA), you can choose any other RPA vendor. If you have a significant pipeline of tasks to automate or a variety of processes that require automation, UiPath Platform is an excellent option. It provides robust integration capabilities and can handle multiple use cases. Conversely, if the focus is on a specific problem and there are budget constraints, opting for another vendor might be more suitable.
I would rate UiPath Platform an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Other
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner