¶ Setting Up SAP Intelligent RPA: Configuration and Tenant Management
SAP Intelligent Robotic Process Automation (SAP Intelligent RPA or SAP IRPA) is a powerful automation platform that enables organizations to streamline repetitive business tasks by creating software robots, or “bots.” To successfully deploy SAP Intelligent RPA, the setup phase—including system configuration and tenant management—is critical. This article explores the essential steps and best practices for setting up SAP Intelligent RPA, with a focus on configuration and tenant lifecycle management.
SAP Intelligent RPA is structured around three main components:
- Cloud Factory (SAP BTP) – Centralized web-based management console for bot orchestration, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
- Desktop Agent – Client-side runtime where bots are executed.
- SDK and Desktop Studio (or SAP Build Process Automation) – Environment for developing automation projects using pre-built components and scripting.
All of this is tied together via a tenant—a logical unit in the SAP BTP (Business Technology Platform) that defines the boundary for configurations, environments, and access rights.
Before beginning setup, ensure:
- A valid SAP BTP account with appropriate entitlements for SAP Intelligent RPA.
- Admin access to SAP BTP Cockpit.
- Download permissions for the Desktop Agent and SAP IRPA SDK.
- Log in to the SAP BTP Cockpit.
- Create a new subaccount or select an existing one.
- Choose a region close to your business location for optimal performance.
- Go to Instances and Subscriptions.
- Subscribe to SAP Intelligent RPA Factory.
- This will automatically create a service instance and enable the tenant dashboard.
¶ 3. Tenant Management and Configuration
- From the subscription list, open SAP Intelligent RPA Factory.
- This launches the SAP IRPA Factory Console, where tenant-level configurations are performed.
In the Factory:
- Create different environments (e.g., development, QA, production) to manage your bots across lifecycle stages.
- Environments isolate bots, credentials, and agent groups.
- Register Desktop Agents on end-user machines.
- Assign agents to appropriate Agent Groups based on department, location, or bot type.
- Link Agent Groups with Environments for targeted deployment.
¶ d. Identity and Role Management
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Set up user roles and permissions through SAP BTP’s Identity Authentication Service (IAS) or Identity Provisioning Service (IPS).
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Assign roles such as:
- Administrator
- Developer
- Operator
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Control access to environments, projects, and monitoring features.
¶ 4. Connecting Desktop Agent and Studio
- Download the Desktop Agent from the Factory.
- Install it on local machines.
- During first-time setup, log in using your SAP Identity credentials to bind the agent to the Factory tenant.
- Set parameters such as runtime behavior, logging level, and update frequency.
- Enable trace logging for debugging purposes during development.
- For advanced scripting and UI automation, install the SAP IRPA SDK or use SAP Build Process Automation (cloud-based low-code environment).
- Connect the development environment to the tenant using the same credentials.
¶ 5. Monitoring and Lifecycle Management
- Use the Monitor tab in the Factory to track bot execution, errors, and system events.
- Schedule jobs using triggers (time-based, event-based).
- Deploy bots to specific environments with version control.
¶ Best Practices for Configuration and Tenant Management
- Use multiple environments to separate development from production.
- Apply least privilege access when assigning user roles.
- Label agents and bots clearly for easier management.
- Audit access and activities regularly using Factory logs and SAP BTP audit features.
- Implement a CI/CD process for bot versioning and promotion between environments.
Setting up SAP Intelligent RPA involves more than just installing software—it requires thoughtful configuration and tenant management to ensure secure, scalable, and efficient automation. By following best practices and leveraging SAP BTP’s robust infrastructure, organizations can establish a strong foundation for intelligent automation that integrates seamlessly into their broader SAP ecosystem.