The best opportunity for automation in the manual process described is to leverage Optical
Character Recognition (OCR) and workflow tools. OCR can automatically extract data from the
invoices received via email, and the workflow tools can automate the review process, checking the
data for accuracy, processing payments, and prompting employees only when exceptions are found.
OCR and Workflow Tools Overview:
OCR technology converts the text in scanned documents or images into machine-readable data,
which can be automatically processed.
Workflow tools in Appian can then route the extracted data through a series of steps, automating
tasks like data entry, validation, and payment processing.
Automating these steps reduces manual effort, minimizes errors, and ensures that invoices are
processed more efficiently.
Why Not Other Options?:
A . Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for thank you messages: This is a less critical part of the
process and does not significantly reduce manual work.
B . Creating a task for manual input: This still involves manual data entry, which does not fully utilize
automation potential.
C . Macro in the shared spreadsheet: This provides minimal automation and doesn't address the root
of the problem, which is manual data entry.
