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Embracing the Inevitable: Errors, Edge Cases, and the Role of HITL Automation in Automated Document Processing

In the thrilling world of automated document processing, the question isn’t if errors and edge cases will arise, but rather when and how often. That’s where the real power of human-in-the-loop (HITL) automation shines. Building on our previous post, “The unseen power of human-in-the-loop automation for automated document processing,” we will delve deeper into the pivotal role of HITL in tackling these inevitable challenges. HITL automation elegantly marries human expertise with cutting-edge automation, forming a robust shield against the day-to-day complexities and variabilities encountered in document processing. 

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Understanding Errors and Edge Cases in Document Processing 

In the realm of document processing, errors and edge cases are commonplace due to the intrinsic complexity and variability of the documents involved. Businesses grapple with processing an assortment of documents daily, ranging from invoices and customer orders to quotes and purchase orders. 

Among these, unstructured documents present a unique challenge. In contrast to structured documents such as invoices, where information neatly aligns with specific columns and positions, unstructured documents can be unpredictably diverse. For example, purchase order confirmations are complex unstructured documents containing a lot of critical information that lack a standard format. Suppliers have the liberty to confirm specific components as they see fit, resulting in varied structures across different order confirmations. This diversity often causes discrepancies when automatically extracting data, creating a gap between the order confirmation and the actual purchase order. Such errors and edge cases can put a dent in the efficiency and accuracy of document processing systems. 

The Role of Human-in-the-Loop in Handling Errors and Edge Cases 

In the domain of document processing, encountering errors and edge cases is an expected part of the process. Despite this, the quest for maximising the efficiency and accuracy of automation tools calls for the crucial role of human-in-the-loop automation. Automation systems incorporating the HITL approach are designed to not only acknowledge but effectively manage errors and edge cases. This enables an uninterrupted and efficient workflow within automation systems. When extracting and processing data, HITL systems can identify and flag errors and edge cases for human review. By reviewing and correcting these issues, human experts provide valuable feedback to the system, enabling it to learn and improve.  

The Netfira Platform: A Human-in-the-Loop Document Automation Solution

Imagine a dynamic platform that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence while still valuing the irreplaceable human touch. That’s precisely what the Netfira Platform delivers—a sophisticated human-in-the-loop document automation solution that breathes life into the Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) and Order-to-Cash (O2C) processes. 

 In the training phase of the AI model, HITL teaches artificial intelligence through making decisions and allows the technology to gain experience through access to data and human feedback. Every document processed refines the AI’s understanding and improves its capabilities incrementally. 

 The Platform also features intelligent business logic, reducing exception rates, and ensuring accuracy in document processing. Users can set their own parameters, allowing the system to process as many documents as possible fully automatically. Extracted data can be enriched with additional data, such as currency, which is important for processing but is not included in the document. Moreover, users can set tolerances for shipping dates, quantity and more to allow the system to process pre-defined deviations between documents. Thus, building on human-in-the-loop automation, the Netfira Platform achieves the highest degree of automation when extracting, comparing and validating data. 

Exception Management with Netfira’s HITL Document Automation Solution

As mistakes, anomalies and exceptions in document processing are inevitable, the Netfira Platform is designed to handle exceptions in document processing quickly and efficiently. If the Platform cannot process deviations through set tolerances or data enrichment rules, exceptions are identified and flagged by the system. The Platform directs the user to the parameters where human input is needed. In an easy-to-use interface, the exceptions are displayed in one place. Users can filter, sort and resolve exceptions quickly. Moreover, the system supports the user as it provides intelligent suggestions and guidance on how to manage each exception. By reviewing the exception and giving feedback, the user gives the HITL automation tool valuable information that helps it improve. As the Platform only flags exceptions which require human input, users only need to focus on tasks where their expertise is truly needed. 

Errors and Edge Cases: Efficient Exception Handling with HITL Automation

Because errors and edge cases in automated document processing can never be ruled out completely, it is important to handle them efficiently. Human-in-the-loop automation is pivotal in managing deviations and anomalies in B2B document processing, given that its principle of incorporating human feedback inherently enables the system to enhance its accuracy over time. Through the collaborative efforts of humans and machines, users can proficiently manage inevitable errors and edge cases. The Netfira Platform is specifically designed to offer robust, reliable, and efficient exception management. It ensures quick and straightforward resolution of exceptions, thereby preventing any interruption in document automation workflows. As human experts handle exceptions, their invaluable feedback aids the AI-driven system in achieving unparalleled accuracy and efficiency. 

Conclusion

In the grand scheme of automated document processing, errors and edge cases are not hindrances but opportunities—opportunities to fine-tune the process, to learn, and to grow. Human-in-the-loop automation stands at the forefront of this evolution, transforming potential obstacles into stepping stones towards higher accuracy and efficiency. The Netfira Platform, with its efficient exception management, embodies this philosophy, combining the precision of AI with the adaptability of human expertise. As we embrace these inevitable challenges, we’re not just resolving errors—we’re shaping the future of automated document processing. 

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The unseen power of human-in-the-loop automation for automated document processing   

Human-in-the-loop (HITL) automation is fast becoming a game-changer in the field of automated document processing. As we navigate the landscape of automation and artificial intelligence, it’s increasingly clear that human intuition remains invaluable. In this blog article, we‘ll delve into the essence of HITL automation, the significance of human feedback for artificial intelligence and why human-in-the-loop automation is crucial for processing documents in today’s business world.

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Riding the wave of automation 

Automation has redefined our workflows, transforming how we approach tasks in a broad spectrum of industries from manufacturing to healthcare. With its capability to perform repetitive tasks effortlessly, automation has introduced a new paradigm of efficiency and productivity. There are three primary types – basic, process, and intelligent automation.  

Basic automation, as exemplified by Robotic process automation (RPA), simplifies mundane tasks. Process automation caters to complex multi-step processes, integrating with multiple systems. The pinnacle of automation, intelligent automation, harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for more advanced tasks.  

AI and automation: A powerful symbiosis 

Artificial intelligence, as defined by Britannica, equips digital computers or computer-controlled robots with intellectual processes mirroring human abilities like reasoning and learning from past experiences. This learning capability underpins the continuous enhancement of AI-driven automation tools,enabling them to make informed decisions based on data analysis from past encounters.  

One might think that businesses should embrace full automation to maximise efficiency and optimisation. However, reality paints a complex picture. Given the inherent limits to full automation, human-in-the-loop automation becomes the bridge to this gap.  

Understanding human-in-the-loop automation 

Human-in-the-loop (HITL) automation, or human-in-the-middle automation, encompasses automated systems that integrate human judgement. It uniquely combines the speed and accuracy of machines with human creativity and critical thinking. This blend of human intuition and machine capabilities yields the best worlds.  

Human-in-the-loop automation vs full automation

While full automation may seem appealing at first, it isn’t without drawbacks. The lack of human intervention can lead to issues such as reduced control, decreased accuracy, and limited feedback mechanisms. HITL automation synergises human and machine intelligence to address these challenges, especially in areas requiring high accuracy such as data extraction and processing.  

Artificial intelligence and human-in-the-loop: The importance of human feedback  

Artificial intelligence and automation, despite their advancements, still require human participation for optimal results. In the training phase of AI models, the concept of HITL plays a central role. The HITL approach enables AI to gain experience through constant access to data and refining human feedback, thus making AI models more accurate over time. The more data and situational variations the AI is exposed to, the more intelligent and capable it will get.  

Automated document processing in businesses 

Document processing is the activity of receiving a document, understanding the information and inputting that information into downstream systems. Document processing is necessary in most business operations but is critical in procurement, accounts payable and sales processes. B2B documents which need to be processed include order confirmations, quotes, customer orders, shipping notices and invoices and others. Processing documents and data manually takes a lot of time, requires human resources and is prone to errors and inaccuracies. Automation tools have contributed to improving the operational efficiency in document processing and optimising business processes. Through automated document processing, the data contained in these documents is not processed manually anymore but with the help of automation software.

The role of human-in-the-loop automation in document automation

Automated document processing is an area in which human-in-the-loop automation proves to be invaluable. Processing documents automatically involves tasks like data extraction, document classification, the interpretation of information, the comparison of data, the definition of tolerances and the handling of exceptions or deviations. All those tasks require critical thinking, interpretation skills and judgment. This is where HITL comes into play. 

Human-in-the-loop automation in automated document processing enables humans to intervene in situations where a machine might falter, such as understanding deviations in a purchase order and to give input and feedback. In many cases, a human can insert an additional piece of information which the machine cannot find or understand on its own. Here, the human does not override the process, but rather supplements the missing information.  

In the HITL approach, humans maintain control over automated workflows, focusing on tasks where their expertise is truly needed. The AI-powered automation software handles the rest, processing documents swiftly and efficiently.  

Human-in-the-loop automation: success factor for automated document processing  

HITL automation proves instrumental for automated document processing. By merging human and machine skills, it addresses the demands and challenges of document processing effectively. Humans can react to unforeseen changes and handle complexity in documents, making HITL an essential element for enhancing automated systems in document automation.  

The Netfira Platform is a human-in-the-loop document automation solution which automates document flows along the Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) and the Order-to-Cash (O2C) process. This AI-driven automation tool leverages the human-in-the-loop approach, expertly handling exceptions and edge cases in automated document processing. The involvement of humans is more than just intervention – it’s the foundation for AI to learn and improve over time, ensuring optimal efficiency in document processing systems.  

Learn in our next blog article Embracing the Inevitable: Errors, Edge Cases, and the Role of HITL Automation in Automated Document Processing why errors and edge cases in automated document processing are inevitable and how Netfira’s human-in-the-loop automation solution is designed to handle them quickly and efficiently.   

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