What are the best ways to troubleshoot RPA processes with multiple systems?

1 Check the logs

One of the first steps to troubleshoot RPA processes is to check the logs of the software robots, the systems they interact with, and the RPA platform. Logs can provide valuable information about the status, errors, exceptions, and warnings of the RPA processes. You can use log analysis tools or techniques to filter, sort, and visualize the log data and identify the root causes of the issues.

2 Test the connectivity

Another common source of problems in RPA processes is the connectivity between the software robots and the systems they access. You should test the network, firewall, and security settings of the systems and ensure that they are compatible with the RPA platform. You should also verify the credentials, permissions, and access rights of the software robots and the systems. If the connectivity is interrupted or unstable, you should try to restore it or use alternative methods to complete the tasks.

3 Review the workflows

Sometimes, the issues in RPA processes are not related to the technical aspects, but to the design and logic of the workflows. You should review the workflows and check if they are accurate, efficient, and robust. You should also consider the possible changes or variations in the data, inputs, outputs, and scenarios of the workflows. You should use best practices and standards to optimize and update the workflows and avoid errors, failures, or delays.

4 Monitor the performance

To troubleshoot RPA processes effectively, you should also monitor the performance of the software robots and the systems they work with. You should use metrics and indicators to measure the speed, quality, and productivity of the RPA processes. You should also track the resource consumption, availability, and utilization of the systems. You should use performance monitoring tools or dashboards to visualize and analyze the performance data and detect any anomalies or bottlenecks.

5 Apply the fixes

Once you identify the issues and their causes, you should apply the appropriate fixes to resolve them. You should use a systematic and documented approach to test, implement, and verify the fixes. You should also communicate and coordinate with the stakeholders and users of the RPA processes and the systems. You should follow the change management and incident management procedures and policies of your organization and the RPA platform.

RPA processes with multiple systems can bring many benefits to warehouse operations, but they also require careful and regular troubleshooting to ensure their reliability and effectiveness. By following these best ways to troubleshoot RPA processes, you can prevent or solve many common problems and improve your RPA outcomes.