The intention to integrate robotic process automation (RPA) software into governmental organisations has risen.

53% of public sector senior managers say their organisations have explored the use of automation technology.

Adopting RPA is a move that will combat increasing workloads and tightening budgets.

The research, conducted by iGov Survey on behalf of business outsourcing partner Arvato – of 134 decision makers across 118 public sector organisations – revealed that 21% of respondents expect automation technology to be trialed within their department or authority over the next 12 months.

>See also: Data-driven government: oxymoron or reality?

Work volumes have increased, and staff levels have fallen. Indeed, 73% have seen work volumes rise in the past year, while 68% have experienced a reduction in available resource as a result of staff cuts over the same period, according to the survey.

57% report that more than a tenth of their department’s staff are spending the majority of their time on these administrative tasks.

RPA software is the perfect filler for the mundane and repetitive tasks that these employees find themselves doing.

Debra Maxwell, CEO of CRM Solutions, UK & Ireland, Arvato, commented: “Automation has been widely embraced in the private sector and it’s encouraging to see that government bodies are becoming more receptive to this technology as a way to improve services for citizens and increase efficiencies.”

>See also: The UK public sector shows a split in how it approaches the cloud in the face of new data regulation

“Fundamentally, it’s about enabling public sector employees to focus on what’s really important, and redirect resource away from mundane, repetitive tasks.”

Implementing RPA has been proven to improve business operational efficiency, and in governmental operations its use will improve citizen services.

This is the driver for automation. RPA provides a way of harmonising increased workloads, and depleting resources.

>See also: Why hyperconvergence and robots are the CIO’s innovation starting blocks

“At Sefton Council, one of the first local authorities to implement the technology, our RPA project has delivered impressive results, including reducing input times for Council Tax direct debit payments by 80%, with 100% accuracy,” said Maxwell.

There is little doubt that integrating RPA into governmental operations will have the desired result of improving operational efficiency. The desire, and results are there.

However, an attitude and policy change must be adopted by those who make the decisions.

p>This will ease RPA’s transition into conventional use.