Implementing Queues in RPA Hub: Streamlining Workload Distribution

[Divya78]

In the dynamic landscape of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), queues play a pivotal role in orchestrating tasks and managing workload distribution among robots efficiently. Let’s dive into how queues are implemented in RPA Hub and their significance in optimizing automation processes.

Understanding Queues in RPA Hub:

What are Queues?

Queues in RPA Hub act as organized repositories, managing the flow of work items, tasks, or cases to different software robots (bots) for processing. They ensure tasks are executed in a structured manner, maintaining order and efficiency.

Features of Queues:

• Order Maintenance: Queues adhere to the "first in, first out" (FIFO) principle, processing items based on their entry sequence.
• Work Distribution: They distribute tasks among multiple bots, ensuring equitable workload distribution.
• Synchronization: Queues synchronize processes, preventing duplication and ensuring tasks are processed without conflict.
• Error Handling: They facilitate error handling and retry mechanisms, allowing failed tasks to be retried automatically.

Work Queue Item Lifecycle:

• Creation: Work Queue Items (WQI) are created either manually by robots or from upstream systems using predefined actions.
• Picking: Bots pick work queue items for processing using the PickWorkItem component.
• Processing: Items are processed based on specified criteria, with bots updating items during processing using the UpdateWorkItem component.
• Completion: After processing, items are marked as complete, and bots proceed to the next item.

Creating a Queue in RPA Hub:

To create a queue in RPA Hub for managing work queue items effectively, follow these steps:

• Access RPA Hub: Navigate to the Queues section under Build in RPA Hub.
• Create New Queue: Fill in the required fields on the form, ensuring relevant configurations for efficient queue management.
• Save and Manage: Save the queue and manage its properties as needed, including deletion if no longer required.

Auto-Retry for Failed Work-Queue Items:

Let's talk about something super useful in RPA Hub: auto-retry. It's like having a smart assistant for your work queues, helping you handle those annoying failures without breaking a sweat. Here's a friendly guide to understanding and using auto-retry like a pro.

What's Auto-Retry, Anyway

Imagine you're running a bunch of tasks in RPA Hub, and one of them fails. Instead of getting stuck, auto-retry jumps in and gives it another shot automatically. It's all about making your life easier and keeping things running smoothly.

How Does Auto-Retry Work?

• Exception Types: Auto-retry focuses on fixing Application issues, like when something doesn't work as expected in your automation.
• Retry Settings: You can tweak settings like how many times to retry (Maximum Attempts) and how long to wait between retries (Attempt Delay) to fit your workflow.
• Setting Up: Just configure your queue settings with these parameters, and auto-retry kicks in when needed.

Auto-Retry Workflow Unpacked: Let's break down how auto-retry handles different situations:

• If the Exception Type field is Application, the Attempts Count field is incremented by 1, and the current value in the Attempts Count field is equal to the value in the Maximum Attempts field, the status of the work item is updated to Failed and the Exception Type field is updated to Application. The work item isn’t available for auto-retry.
• If the Exception Type field is Application, the Attempts Count field is incremented by 1, and the current value in the Attempts Count field is less than the value in the Maximum Attempts field, the status of the work item is updated to In progress and the Exception Type is updated to Application. The work item is available for auto-retry only after you set the duration (if any) in minutes in the Attempts Count field.
• If the Exception Type field is Business and the Attempts Count field is incremented by 1, the status of the work item is updated to Failed, and the Exception Type field is updated to Business. The work item isn’t available for auto-retry.
• When there’s no value in the Exception Type field and the Attempts Count field isn’t incremented by 1, the status of the work item is updated to In progress. The Exception Type isn’t updated. The work item is available for auto-retry only after you set the duration (if any) in minutes in the Attempts Count field.

Note: If the value in the ReleaseMode field is locked, then you can't increment the value in the Attempts Count field because the robot is still executing the work item. The value in the Attempts Count field must be incremented only when the value in the ReleaseMode field is release. The value in the Attempts Count field is incremented when an item is released by the robot or when an item's status is set to Failure.

Why Auto-Retry Rocks

• Less Hassle: No more babysitting failed tasks. Auto-retry takes care of them, freeing you up for more important stuff.
• Smooth Workflows: With auto-retry in place, your workflows become more resilient, bouncing back from failures without missing a beat.
• Reliability Boost: Know that even if something goes wrong temporarily, auto-retry has your back, ensuring tasks get done eventually.

Wrapping It Up

Queues and auto-retry mechanisms in RPA Hub streamline task management, error handling, and workload distribution, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of automated processes. By leveraging these features, organizations can achieve seamless automation workflows and improved operational outcomes.

Embrace Queues and its Auto-retry functionality, and make work queue management a breeze through RPA Hub!