The Robot Exchange Chooses Lisburn For New R&D Hub
The Robot Exchange, specialists in Robotic Process Automation (RPA) solutions (facilitating the automation of repetitive tasks), is investing in a research and development project that will deliver innovation in the areas of machine learning and artificial intelligence.
The company, founded just over a year ago, is headquartered in Nottingham but is setting up a research and development hub in Lisburn to carry out the project and support future business growth.
Invest Northern Ireland is supporting the R&D project to increase customer accessibility and reduce the cost through the development of new IT architecture. The R&D project will also result in seven additional jobs being created.
The Robot Exchange uses RPA solutions to automate tasks such as back office administration; resulting in increased efficiencies and cost savings as well as freeing up staff to concentrate on higher value activities.
Andy Wallace, CEO of The Robot Exchange, commented: “Our RPA solution uses software robots to capture data and manipulate applications in the way a human would. They interpret, trigger responses and communicate with other software applications in order to perform a variety of repetitive tasks.
“This R&D project will involve designing, developing and testing new ways to organise and integrate systems (architecture) for our RPA solution. We want to continue to provide an affordable and accessible route for businesses that are keen to adopt RPA to create efficiencies but are not in a position to invest heavily in skilled staff and licensing.
“We chose Northern Ireland as the location for the research project because of the availability of skilled developers and the support from Invest NI. As well as providing financial assistance, Invest NI helped us to clarify our vision.”
Dr Vicky Kell, Director of Innovation, Research & Development, Invest NI, said:“The Robot Exchange is a company that recognises the importance of R&D to business growth and is investing early in its lifecycle to stay ahead of the competition. Investment in R&D results in competitive advantage, increased sales and, hence, growth.
“Increasing business expenditure on research and development is one of Invest NI’s three Business Strategy outcomes and we were pleased to note that the most recent Research and Development Statistical Bulletin on R&D expenditure by businesses shows an upward trend in R&D investment by SMEs, which reached £43 million in 2017.”
Invest NI’s support is part funded by ERDF under the EU Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014-2020.
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