Announcement
Jan 27, 2026
Automating Legacy SAP & Desktop Apps with RPA by Workato
Modern enterprises still rely on many legacy systems, from older SAP ERP modules to bespoke desktop applications which lack modern APIs.
RPA By Workato was designed to automate these hard-to-reach systems by combining Workato’s cloud integration platform with Robotiq.ai’s RPA technology. In practice, this means you can build a Workato recipe (workflow) that triggers a RPA bot to perform actions inside SAP or a Windows application’s UI, then seamlessly continue the workflow in Workato once those actions are done.
Using the RPA Connector for Non-API Systems
The RPA by Workato connector allows you to integrate with “applications that don’t have APIs, including legacy systems such as older SAP platforms, desktop applications, and browser apps without API support.” To set it up:
Create automation scripts (called processes) in the Robotiq.ai platform.
Generate an access token from Robotiq.
Configure the Workato connector with your client ID, client secret, and tenant name.
Once connected, Workato recipes can invoke RPA bots to handle screen interactions, extract data, or perform form submissions. The RPA bot can then return outputs back into the Workato workflow.
Key Features for Legacy Automation
UI Recorder: Easily record step-by-step interactions inside SAP or desktop apps.
Script Support: Write Visual Basic or custom scripts to handle logic-intensive UI processes.
Excel Automation: Open, read, and manipulate Excel files natively as part of bot execution.
Error Handling: Monitor job status, retry failed steps, and log all activities through Workato’s central dashboard.
Real Example: Order Processing in Legacy SAP
Imagine a finance department that receives orders through a cloud-based form. Workato handles form data ingestion and updates the CRM via API. For SAP (which lacks a direct API in this case), an RPA bot logs into SAP GUI, enters a transaction code, fills in customer and order details, and posts it. Upon success, the bot returns confirmation to Workato, which then emails the order summary or sends it to another system.
This hybrid automation strategy ensures even older software is part of modern digital workflows without expensive upgrades or replacements.
External References:
Workato RPA Connector Docs: https://docs.workato.com/connectors/rpa.html
RPA By Workato Tutorials: RPA BY WORKATO Tutorial - Part 0 - Installing Robot Software
FAQ
1. Can RPA By Workato automate older versions of SAP?
Yes, especially SAP GUI environments where APIs aren’t available.
2. Is coding needed to create RPA scripts?
No, the UI Recorder lets you capture processes visually, although scripting is optional for advanced logic.
3. How does Workato communicate with Robotiq bots?
Through secured token-based API calls initiated via the Workato connector.
4. Can I combine multiple bots in one process?
Yes, you can call sequential or parallel RPA processes depending on workflow complexity.
5. How are Excel files handled in desktop automations?
RPA bots can open, read, write, and save Excel files directly as part of the process logic.
Changelog
