RPA Design Interface Integrating DevOps Pipelines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic process automation (RPA) development tools require highly skilled personnel to tailor off-the-shelf DevOps software to specific project needs, increasing costs and limiting accessibility to 'citizen developers' without advanced programming skills.
Innovation Solution
A computer system with a hardware processor executing an RPA design application that exposes activity menus for constructing RPA and DevOps workflows, generating a computer-readable pipeline workflow specification upon user input, facilitating user-friendly integration of RPA and DevOps activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If off-the-shelf DevOps software is used, then software development operations can be performed, but highly skilled specialized knowledge is required to tailor it to specific needs, increasing costs and reducing accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges RPA workflow design and DevOps pipeline configuration into a single integrated interface. Users can simultaneously design RPA activities and configure corresponding DevOps activities (build, test, deploy) without switching between separate tools, eliminating the need to tailor off-the-shelf DevOps software and reducing the skill barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The RPA design application is enhanced to serve multiple functions: it acts as both an RPA workflow designer and a DevOps pipeline configurator. This multi-functional approach allows the same tool to handle both RPA development and DevOps operations, making the system universally applicable without requiring specialized DevOps software.
2Productivity
If dedicated DevOps software is employed, then software development efficiency is improved, but the complexity and cost of setting up and maintaining the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines RPA design and DevOps pipeline configuration into a single integrated application interface. Users can define RPA workflows and configure corresponding DevOps activities (build, test, deploy) within the same tool, eliminating the need to integrate multiple separate systems and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The RPA design application is transformed into a multi-functional platform that handles both RPA workflow design and DevOps pipeline management. This universal approach allows one tool to perform multiple functions that previously required separate specialized software, reducing system complexity while maintaining productivity.
3Ease of operation
If RPA workflows are made more user-friendly for citizen developers, then accessibility is improved, but the capability to perform complex DevOps operations may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates DevOps pipeline configuration directly into the RPA design interface, allowing citizen developers to access both RPA and DevOps capabilities through a single unified workflow designer. This integration ensures that user-friendliness is maintained while complex DevOps operations remain accessible through the same intuitive interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The RPA design application is enhanced to provide universal access to both RPA workflow design and DevOps operations through a single interface. This multi-functional design ensures that citizen developers can perform complex DevOps operations without needing to learn separate specialized tools, maintaining ease of operation while expanding capability.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, an RPA design interface exposes a set of DevOps activities for creating a DevOps pipeline. Exemplary DevOps activities include activities for pulling a target RPA workflow from a code repository, testing, building, and deploying the respective RPA workflow to a client's production environment. The pipeline may then be executed by conventional RPA robots, as any other RPA workflow. Endowing an RPA design tool with DevOps functionality substantially facilitates RPA development by enabling RPA developers to carry out DevOps without requiring specialized knowledge of DevOps software. Some embodiments further enable RPA developers to create complex DevOps pipelines combining DevOps activities with other robotic activities, such as interacting with GUIs, spreadsheets, and electronic communication applications, among others.