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2019/10/10 13:55:19

Differences in development on the UiPath and Kofax RPA RPA platforms

In article differences in platforms UiPath and Kofax RPA from the point of view of the developer are considered: conveniences, shortcomings and features. The description is broken on the main characteristics of platforms. Authors of material: Karina Krotkova Alexander Bader.

Content

From authors

Turning to this work, we well understood what we attempt upon and what sacral secrets we are going to reveal. On the one hand – UiPath, the conventional world leader, almost unconditional champion in all analytical ratings, a sacred cow of analysts and consultants of Big Four. With another – Kofax RPA, to very few people the known system from the company which is in the lead absolutely in other area of information processing automatization, namely, in the field of digitalization of document flows. Therefore we suggest to look at comparison of these platforms as on a hypothetical boxing duel of two athletes, one of whom defends the champion title, and another – the applicant little-known for the present.

Experts compared the RPA platforms from the point of view of the developer


Nevertheless, the summary account, according to us, could make 9:5 for benefit of Kofax RPA. We give honestly, that we tried not to favor and be objective so as far as had necessary information.

The document reflects exclusively personal opinion and personal experience of authors. Any third party is a research did not order and did not pay. Information is provided as of August, 2019.

And yes, we will be grateful for a feedback from our readers and open discussion of secrets and features of developments on the discussed platforms.

Questions of license policy of vendors deserve separate discussion.

Appointment

Both platforms have universal character and can be equally used for the solution of the most wide range of tasks.

UiPath

Possibilities of UiPath extend to automation of work with very broad spectrum of applications.

Except as automation of operation of applications of a desktop, UiPath has no other mode. All transactions of the robot are performed only in this mode, including automation of work with web applications that is more unprofitable and it is less convenient.

For work with office applications it is necessary to have the set Microsoft Office.

Without special plug-ins and additions of UiPath is not on friendly terms with Java applications.

There is a number of valuable opportunities which can make a difficult life of the developer who is especially beginning a little easier. First of all, it is necessary to mention ready activities on sending and reading mails using protocols SMTP, POP3 and IMAP. The possibility of direct sending requests HTTP and also convenient reading of structured data internet- pages also very will please any impartial fan of beautiful robotization.

Kofax RPA

Thanks to features of Kofax RPA, on it it is especially convenient to implement the processes connected with automation of work with the different websites, maintaining statistics and applications and also using resources of a remote desktop (DA - Desktop Automation). In the DA Kofax RPA mode can perform the provided operations not only by own machine, but also on the virtual machine, the server and even on a remote desktop.

Automation of work of web applications with Kofax RPA becomes much simpler, quicker and more reliably that this system can use own built-in browser which is, in fact, the Chromium engine without user interface and also WebKit. Besides, and in addition to specified, in the DA mode, it is possible to use any other industrial browser. Thus, it is possible to build flexible hybrid robots who, in uniform installation, combine functionality of Desktop-and Web automation.

Kofax RPA has the built-in engine for work with Excel thanks to what the Microsoft Office installation for its work is not required. What, naturally, very much simplifies implementation of the task, most popular in RPA, like "take a line from Excel and put it in CRM".

One more important option Kofax RPA increasing the value of the implemented project without increase in the price of licenses is an existence in a standard delivery package of the module for the analysis of a status of performance of installation in general. The set includes several ready reports, and business users independently with the minimum costs of time can implement all other necessary analysis.

Work with Java applications requires installation of special software - Oracle Java Bridge.

Outputs

Systems have comparable functional power.

Automation of work with Internet pages will be simpler and more reliably robotic on Kofax RPA, than on UiPath.

The DA function in Kofax RPA has more opportunities.

Work with mail will demand slightly more efforts when implementing on Kofax RPA.

We are inclined to give this round for benefit of Kofax RPA.

Expansion of functionality

Creation of own activities will give the chance to customers to create customized applications which will allow developers to consider business specifics of their employers with the minimum costs.

UiPath

Creation of own activities by professional developers is possible.

Kofax RPA

Creation of own activities for their subsequent use is not provided in WorkFlow. For this purpose it is possible to use the external performed modules, Snippets (see Reusability) or to use external services that on labor input can be comparable to development of own activities, but, obviously, it is less convenient for eventual users.

Outputs

The round comes to the end for benefit of UiPath.

Record of actions of the user

UiPath

Work in UiPath with the Recording function is very simple and clear since it reminds function of record of macroes known to all of us, for example, century Microsoft Excel.

Using this function the robot writes practically all actions done by the person and transfers them to the sequence of steps which can be edited independently. Actions by the user can be made as on a desktop, on Internet pages, and in Citrix.

UiPath Recording

For the Recording function several modes are provided. Depending on the mode, respectively, both opportunities, and restrictions of this function differ. So, for example, in the Basic, Desktop and Web modes, there is a recording capability of many actions, however record of use of the hot keys, activation of windows and waiting of emergence of certain elements cannot be written. These actions will need to be inserted manually into the sequence of transactions created automatically. At the same time, in the Image Recording mode it is possible to write these actions automatically. The Native Citrix mode is an analog of the Desktop Recording mode, but only for the Citrix environment.

Unfortunately, in general, possibilities of this function are limited. A system is not able to write such transactions as movement of the cursor, clicking of the modifier of the ALT keys, use of the hot keys, for example, for cutting and copying of an object in a clipboard, and some other.

After all transactions are converted by a system into activities, it will be necessary – to remember a trifle what activity to what transaction belongs and why it was executed. Without saying that in case of any error all these operations should be performed repeatedly. And, as a rule, not once. Just as in the MS Excel.

Kofax RPA

The approach applied here, as well as in many other cases connected with Kofax RPA differs from commonly accepted.

Record of action of the user is provided in the debugger mode, and each action of the user is instantly displayed as activity in a flow of works. At the same time record of all actions of the user is provided. For inclusion of record it is necessary to click "AutoExecute". Why it is not called "Recording" – nobody knows. Probably, to differ from UiPath and analogs.

Auto Execute function

Outputs

Function of signing up of actions of the user in UiPath is focused on beginners and/or eventual users and after some trainings will be able to save them a lot of time and nerves. In a case with Kofax RPA function is implemented with orientation to professional use and looks more attractively.

Draw.

Recognition of documents

The need to take data from primary documents and to enter then these data into corporate information systems is so eternal, as well as automation. Both systems provide the corresponding functionality for the users. However using the industrial systems of recognition of texts the situation is differently.

UiPath

UiPath of own means for industrial recognition of documents has no. In this connection the developer will be forced to use software products of the third producers, for example, of ABBYY. What, respectively, leads to complication and rise in price of the project on implementation of RPA. The situation is saved by existence of several built-in free engines which well are suitable for simple problems of recognition of texts. However, it is necessary to understand, these engines provide only basic the OCR function, but not complete functionality on cognitive recognition of documents.

The connectivity of others, except ABBYY, external systems of recognition is also available, and, probably, in the nearest future we learn something new in this respect.

Kofax RPA

For work with the primary documents Kofax RPA uses bonus software tools of Kofax company which are widely demanded around the world thanks to what Kofax deservedly is considered the world leader in the field of digitalization of document flows. Kofax RPA can obtain the recognized data from documents through the built-in WEB SERVICE which is included in the delivery and does not require additional payment.

Use external, favourite (or unloved, but usual) OCR-applications and also open source of products is possible. The possibility of use of the product Tesseract Tesseract OCR[1] is built in Kofax RPA and is provided in the standard delivery.

Outputs

If the problem of robotization of processes in which it is required to provide mass input and cognitive recognition of texts is relevant for the customer, then this round certainly remains for Kofax RPA.

Training

Users of both platforms have an opportunity to get acquainted with trial version and also to undergo free basic training on the website. The training material is stated in several languages. Access to training materials remains at the user for the rest of life.

UiPath

As a result of training at UiPath the developer receives the certificate free of charge.

Kofax RPA

The certificate of Kofax RPA can be received, but only having passed examinations for which passing it is necessary to pay separately. Generally it is normal practice.

Outputs

If you need the certificate to increase the chances at employment, then it should be used. Though it is clear that existence of such certificate, other things being equal, does not influence neither development speed, nor quality and efficiency of a program code of the robot in any way.

But, as at us traditionally meet on clothes, this round takes UiPath.

Interface

In this plan of UiPath and Kofax RPA are arranged a little differently.

UiPath

In UiPath process is displayed using deep hierarchy of tabs, i.e. its description in the editor has an appearance of tabs in tabs.

For example, action of if-else (if – differently) has two subprocesses that is displayed in the form of two tabs: the if tabs for operations which will be performed if the statement is right, and the else tab – if on the contrary. On the one hand, process becomes not such bulky, with another – in tabs it is easy to get lost. On the image the example with the TRY-Catch function is included below. Development of such process, maybe, is also convenient, and here about debugging and maintenance it dread simply to think …

Interface of UiPath Studio
The scheme of communication of modules in UiPath

Kofax RPA

The studio in Kofax RPA has several windows: a window for display of steps of the process, a window where the website or the document with which the robot, a window interacts with variables and a window where characteristics of action which is made by the robot at the moment are displayed is displayed (input and output variables, functions and so forth). Steps of process are built linearly that important for understanding of process and its logic as at such creation the structure of process is much more transparent.

Also, if there is a need, it is possible to group process steps that will significantly simplify structure of the robot and understanding of logic of its work.

Interface of Kofax RPA studio
The scheme of communication of modules in Kofax RPA

Besides, Kofax has also a separate interface for an operation mode with a remote desktop – Desktop Automation Editor. Processes there are also displayed linearly. And the same as in Design Studio, there is a Recorder View window where the desktop and what on it is done by the robot is visible. Through this window there is a robotization of actions: in it the platform already recognized and identified all elements of the interface of the robotized application or a desktop (buttons, labels and so forth), and the developer does not need to look for and define them independently. But if at the computer or the notebook not the really big monitor, then a possibility of viewing a desktop on the platform not strongly helps. That the window overlooking a desktop was displayed correctly and completely, it is necessary to have at least the second monitor. Otherwise in this function there is no special sense, and it is simpler to switch between windows by means of Alt+Tab.

Editor of Kofax RPA Desktop Automation

Outputs

Presence of two editors in Kofax RPA irritates a little, especially first. It is much heavier to work, however, with such deep enclosure of blocks as in UiPath, though get used to it. The lack of visualization and transparency in UiPath, of course, is a strong shortcoming.

Risking to cause strong discontent of those who spent weeks of persistent work and nevertheless mastered logic of development on UiPath, we suggest to leave this round for Kofax RPA, let and with small advantage.

Intuitivism

In this question everything is quite good both at UiPath, and at Kofax. Orient in the interface and understand where and what is located, in both cases it is quite easy.

UiPath

UiPath has small, but pleasant, a feature: when aiming a mouse at any action in the main menu the short certificate of what performs this operation and how to use variables takes off. The same concerns all fields for filling (setup of actions). It is especially convenient as it is not necessary to climb in the Internet or in User Guide and to get there necessary information. The short reference already supplies with enough information which, as a rule, are enough to continue work.

Kofax RPA

Usually at developers, even at the very beginning of work, no problems during the work with Kofax RPA arise.

Outputs

Work with hints in UiPath is implemented more conveniently.

Qualification of the developer

Operational hiring of personnel of necessary qualification and/or its retraining can be crucial for quick start of responsible projects. Let's look that here the considered rivals will be able to offer us.

UiPath

UiPath often requires language skills of programming in order that it is correct to configure the robot or for creation of new activity. It is possible to use the C#, C ++, Python, JavaScript.

Kofax RPA

If to speak about Kofax RPA, then standard activities here 10 times more than in UiPath that significantly simplifies life that who with programming languages is unfamiliar. Though there is no limit to perfection, and it would be desirable to have an opportunity to create the activities.

Outputs

Undoubtedly – Kofax RPA!

Reusability

Accumulation and transfer of experience, implementation of best practices – a basis of well delivered development process. Always it is useful to turn debugged fragments of the code into the blocks ready for reuse.

UiPath

Similar opportunity in UiPath actually does not exist. It is only possible to take out a piece of the robot in separate process and to use it then in other processes. However the qualified developer will easily find components of the third parties necessary for this purpose on the public website "uipath.go".

Kofax RPA

From this point of view Kofax RPA has important advantage. An opportunity to create so-called snippets (Snippet) considerably simplifies work. Any developer can create snippets, and correct – only the author. Once the created Snippet can be reused in other processes, and change of characteristics of a snippet is displayed in all other processes at once. It happens quite conveniently.

Besides, the functionality of the newly created robot can be instantly available on the scale of the company thanks to his publication as Web service and also to opportunities of a call of the robot from other applications or BPM processes, to transformation of robots into Web Service and his call from other robots and applications.

Outputs

Though Kofax snippets – it is very convenient, but in UiPath in this plan too everything is not hopeless at all. So draw.

Testing and debugging

The Debug Mode mode is in both systems, but in this plan of difference in implementation of identical functionality at two systems are most noticeable.

UiPath

Step-by-step debugging in UiPath is impossible. There all operations are performed directly on a desktop therefore process is irreversible. That to test it again, it is necessary to close manually all tabs and again to start process.

Kofax RPA

Kofax RPA has feature, important for the developer: at accomplishment by the user of manual switching in Debug Mode between actions, the platform automatically step by step makes these actions, remembering a system status at that time thanks to the built-in mechanism called by State Machine. So the result of each step can be seen in development process at once. Moreover, to pass to the previous action and again to banish it, absolutely optional to restart process. It is only enough to switch to the previous actions, and the robot will show their result. The only thing that such function does not concern, is Kofax RPA Desktop Automation Editor. As in this mode the robot makes actions, opening at the same time windows on a desktop of the existing application, therefore, process cannot be reversible. And again to test process, it is necessary to close everything that was opened by the robot and to start process again. And you should think of debug data and use of a test system in advance!

Outputs

Questions are? A round for Kofax RPA!

Error handling

UiPath

For error handling, generally speaking, it is required to provide special activities in UiPath, namely, TRY-Catch with the subsequent If-Else that increases work volume a little. In some, but not in all activities of UiPath there are options TimeOut, WaitFor, IfError, but not in all that reduces the level of standardization of the code.

Kofax RPA

Advantage of Kofax RPA is especially obvious when it is necessary to use Kofax RPA Desktop Automation Editor. For each step it is possible to provide in this mode whether the robot, for example, will wait for some time before emergence of a certain window or an element, or just to expose the number of seconds. In this case directly in the operation performed by the robot there is a special window in which it is described what element needs to be looked for to perform operation how many to wait and what message it is necessary to display if action did not manage to be executed.

Internal settings of operation of the robot in Desktop Automation Editor
Error handling in Kofax RPA

Outputs

And again - Kofax RPA!

Management of execution of an array of robots

UiPath

The strength of UiPath consists in a possibility of job sharing between robots by means of an orkestrator (Orchestrator). It allows robots to be in wait state if the beginning of operation of the robot is caused by commission of a certain action on the computer or emergence of the file in a certain folder. Also in it classical function of the schedule Schedule and queues of Queue is implemented.

Here only the fact that Orkestrator is not required for small and educational projects, and at serious implementation, say, from three robots is the most convenient, installation without it will not be able to work

Uipath Orquestrator interface

Kofax RPA

Kofax RPA has exclusively mighty appendix called by Management Console which not only allows to plan operation of robots but also to perform many other useful functions on administration of all installation. For example, to publish the robot as web service. This application is included in the delivery by default. In terminology of the traditional RPA systems it would be possible to name him Orkestrator.

Kofax RPA - Management Console

Moreover, as Management Console has own program interfaces for work from the Dot.Net and Java languages, the customers having own increased requirements to security can write special applications for implementation of additional control of operation of robots and the employees using them.

Outputs

Kofax RPA, unambiguously.

Creation of Web applications

UiPath

UiPath has no ready function of creation of the web application.

Kofax RPA

Function of the publication of the robot as the web application or the kapplet (Kapplet) is provided in Kofax RPA. This option considerably simplifies transfer of the robot to other user and also start of this robot. For work with the published robots the portal called by KappZone which is included in the delivery is provided.

After the publication the robot can be instantly available as REST/SOAP web-сервис or through API to.NET and Java, at the same time classes will be generated automatically.

Outputs

And again - Kofax RPA!

Creation of own activities (actions)

One of important functions of the RPA platforms for the developer is the possibility of creation of own activities. It is necessary if standard transaction is not enough for implementation of process or if process needs to be accelerated using the code.

UiPath

Developers of the UiPath platform provided such turn of events and gave the chance of writing for the robot of a special script. Also this script can be issued in separate activity and to use in other processes.

Kofax RPA

Unfortunately, creators of the platform did not consider possible need for this function that can become a massive fault for the developer of robots.

It is clear, that this shortcoming can be compensated for the account of use of the external performed modules or due to use of Snippets, but use of professionally developed activities will always be simpler and more evident.

Outputs

The round, with all evidence, remains for UiPath!

Architecture

At all importance of the questions considered above, it should be noted that they influence rather perception of a system, and only at the beginning of work, at its mastering by developers. Eventually, it is possible to get used to everything. And even to tell that for the true professional all this at all not a problem.

However, at operation of a system, especially, if not one robot is implemented, and a little, and and working in the mode, autonomous from the user, crucial are questions of system architecture which is a basis for reliability assurance and stability of its work.

UiPath

In UiPath each robot should be installed in own virtual machine that creates additional loads both of administrators, and of total cost of ownership a system at its scaling.

For coordination of work and load distribution of robots for scaling of a system it is necessary to purchase separately Orkestrator.

UiPath can work only at Windows 7 OS above.

Kofax RPA

For start of the certain robot in Kofax RPA there is no need to turn the separate virtual machine. In case of use of the scenarios DA it is necessary to set only the agent demanding the minimum system resources, and execution of the robot is performed on the server. Work of Studio of development and the Managing director Konsoli is performed via mechanisms of balancing of loading. Existence more than one copy of the Managing console is possible that provides higher reliability and capacity of all system. The mode of fault tolerance is provided due to use of Hazelcast technology. Also the organization of productive clusters where each robot will be presented in the form of the Roboserver for which installation it is necessary to use the mechanism is possible, are known as Docker that it does a system ready to work in a cloud. All licenses necessary for this purpose are included in the delivery.

The Kofax RPA server can work both at Windows, and at Linux.

Outputs

In case of simple installations of a system differ from each other little. However for applications of the corporate level Kofax RPA it is more preferable.

And again – with a big separation ahead of Kofax RPA!

Ecosystem

Exchange of ready-made solutions, the ideas, councils between development teams promotes increase in efficiency of projects. Existence of a partner network promotes distribution of a product and increase in functionality of ready-made solutions.

UiPath

For UiPath also well large number of fragments, ready to use, which freely extend in UiPath of community is created. For example, it is connectors to the most widespread 1C or means applications for work with e-mail clients.

Kofax RPA

Here so far at Kofax RPA the situation is frankly poorly. There are one or two specialized forums about which very few people know. The vendor should attend to this question more seriously. The public section with standard solutions appeared on the website of vendor only in September, 2019. And still it is necessary to recognize what in the field of marketing activity of Kofax company is to what to learn from UiPAth. The partners developing add-on'a to Kofax RPA are obviously not enough.

Outputs

The situation with Kofax RPA is connected, most likely, with its distribution limited in comparison with UiPath. Let's be hopes that the situation will soon change for the better for now here ahead, certainly, UiPath!

Summary information on results of comparison

Round UiPath Kofax RPA
ResultPointsResultPoints
1. AppointmentApplications and text recognition0Applications, text recognition and automation of work with Web pages1
2. Expansion of functionalityIs available a possibility of creation of own activities1The possibility of creation of own activities is absent0
3. Record of actions of the userEntirely all process0Step-by-step record0
4. Recognition of documentsExternal means0Built-in means1
5. TrainingFree training and the certificate1Only free training0
6. The interfaceComplicated, multi-level0Exactly two nesting levels1
7. IntuitivismTooltip balloons in a work progress1There are no hints though the interface is quite clear0
8. Qualification of the developerBasic skills of programming0Are necessary basic skills of programming are not required1
9. There is no ReusabilitySpecial functions, but there are products of the third firms0Snippets significantly simplify work and reuse of a piece of the robot0
10. Testing and debuggingAre only Debug Mode0It is possible to test on any process step without rollback manually1
11. Error handlingIt is necessary to use Try Catch0In each step all the time there is such function1
12. Management of execution of an array of robotsNeeds to be purchased Orkestrator0There is built-in Management Console1
13. Creation of Web applicationsIs not present0There is an opportunity to expose the robot as the web application1
14. Creation of own activities (actions)Is1Is absent0
15. ArchitectureLarge-scale deployment of virtual machines0Execution of the robot mainly on a dedicated server1 is necessary
16. EcosystemGood1Weak0
Account, total59

Notes