Intelligent Automation

Description

Stonewater's first automation was launched in October 2020, automating a process within the Asset Data Team, involving the inputting of asset attribute data into the housing management system. This first 'digital worker' automates the process for managing validation errors by scanning more than 130 data fields per asset and alerting errors back to developers without the need for human interaction. By automating this process more than 800hours of resource is to be released each year back to the business as well as realising other financial, quality and time saving benefits. This first process has run as a Proof of Value (PoV) to determine its effectiveness and suitability alongside a business-wide discovery programme, to identify suitable processes for further automation. We have been working with an automation partner in deploying the PoV and identifying the candidate processes for future automation. The PoV has been built 'on premise' and using the Blue Prism platform. In total 61 candidate processes have been identified, with 6 of these being prioritised for year one. These processes have been selected based on the following criteria: • Provides at least 700 hours in staff time back to the business • A process that is currently done by the team or will provide a clear benefit to Stonewater in terms of improving quality, providing a cost saving, releasing resources, avoiding costs and ensuring the CSAT target of 83% is met. Taking into account opportunities from new business cases that have been approved We are now looking for a partner to build and deploy automation for the 6 processes, help us realise A.I opportunities from these 6 and support us in the establishment of a centre of excellence.