Global RPA Market 10.8 Trillion Won... Overtime and Weekend Work Disappear Thanks to Robot Employees [Unmanned Era⑥]

Robot-Based Work Automation Technology
Simple and Repetitive Tasks Operate 24/7
Also Noted as a Solution for the 52-Hour Workweek and Workforce Issues

Robot-based process automation (RPA) technology introduced by N2B, a subsidiary of the POSCO Group. A total of five robot employees, including Manager Al who joined in 2019, are working in the RPA room.
[Photo by N2B]

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) technology has gained even more attention since the COVID-19 pandemic as unmanned operations and digital transformation have accelerated. By delegating simple and repetitive tasks to robots while allocating human resources to high value-added work, companies can achieve the dual benefits of increasing employee satisfaction and reducing labor costs. Because RPA enables 24/7 operation throughout the year, it also serves as a means for companies to respond to the 52-hour workweek regulation. It is also recognized as a solution to workforce issues caused by population decline and aging.

According to market research firm Technavio, the global RPA market is expected to grow from $1.36935 billion in 2019 to $8.8752 billion (approximately 10.8 trillion KRW) by 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 45%. Leading global companies in RPA technology include Automation Anywhere, UiPath, and Blue Prism.

Samyang Group established eight major tasks for digital innovation in 2019 and is expanding the adoption of RPA technology. Samyang Holdings, which chose Automation Anywhere’s solution, automated the task of verifying and processing deposit details for clients handled daily by about 50 salespeople, enabling more customer interactions and increasing sales opportunities during that time. The automation of export duty refunds and purchase voucher processing, which used to be concentrated at the end of each month, eliminated overtime and weekend work. Samyang Holdings plans to train on-site experts at each business site with the goal of one RPA per employee across the company.

Samchully, the first company in the city gas industry to introduce RPA technology, saved 2,200 hours annually across eight tasks including equipment management, accounting voucher processing, and system operations, reducing the burden on staff for routine and simple repetitive tasks. A Samchully representative explained, "Employee satisfaction has increased and the frequency of work delays has decreased," adding, "Robots handle tasks overnight, and staff receive feedback on the results via email in the morning, which shortens processing time."

Domestic small and medium-sized enterprise Eden T&S, which possesses web-based RPA technology, contributed to automating COVID-19 related administrative tasks at Jungnang-gu Office in Seoul. The automated notification system enabled the daily sending of over 1,800 quarantine notices, which previously required one Jungnang-gu Office employee to send about 200 notices in an 8-hour workday. An industry insider stated, "Robots do not replace humans 100%, but rather pursue collaboration between humans and robots," and added, "RPA is expected to increase jobs suited to the new bot business."