UiPath

UiPath: From Classic RPA to AI-Driven Agentic Automation

Organizations today face growing demands: doing more with fewer resources, ensuring compliance, and maintaining speed in a competitive market. Automation has become a critical enabler of digital transformation.

UiPath is one of the world’s leading automation platforms, originally known for Robotic Process Automation (RPA). Over time, it has evolved into a comprehensive ecosystem that integrates AI, process discovery, orchestration, testing, and analytics. UiPath is no longer “just RPA” it’s a platform that enables both classic rule-based automation and AI-powered, agentic automation.

This article explores:

• What UiPath is and what it offers

• Its infrastructure deployment models and their advantages/disadvantages

• Licensing and cost models

• Classic vs. agentic automation

What is UiPath?

UiPath is an end-to-end business automation platform that helps organizations streamline processes, reduce costs, and free employees from repetitive work.

Core Capabilities

• Robotic Process Automation (RPA):

  • Automates rules-based tasks like data entry, reporting, or system integration.

• AI-Powered Automation:

  • Uses machine learning, NLP, and computer vision to work with unstructured data (documents, emails, images).

• Process & Task Mining:

  • Identifies automation opportunities by analyzing workflows.

• Orchestration & Governance:

  • Centralized control of robots, licensing, and execution through UiPath Orchestrator.

• Citizen Development:

  • Business users can create automations using UiPath StudioX without coding skills.

• Analytics & ROI Measurement:

  • Automation Hub and UiPath Insights track automation impact and adoption.

Classic vs. Agentic Automation

Classic Automation

Rule-based, structured, deterministic.

• Example: A robot logs into SAP, extracts data, pastes it into Excel, and sends a report.

Strengths: Fast, reliable, compliant.

Limitations: Cannot adapt to exceptions, ambiguity, or decision-making.

Agentic Automation

AI-powered automation with reasoning.

• Example: A digital agent reads invoices, identifies missing fields, asks clarifying questions, and decides the next step.

• Integrates with LLMs, AI Center, and Communication Mining.

Strengths: Handles semi-structured data, exceptions, and collaboration with humans.

Limitations: Requires AI governance, higher complexity.

UiPath Infrastructure Models

UiPath offers multiple deployment models to align with your IT strategy, compliance requirements, and scalability goals.

UiPath Automation Cloud (SaaS)

A fully managed SaaS platform hosted and maintained by UiPath. All services, Orchestrator, AI Center, Automation Hub, etc. are available out of the box.

How it works:

• Customers log into the UiPath Automation Cloud portal.

• UiPath provisions services automatically.

• Robots can run in the cloud (serverless) or locally, all managed centrally.

Advantages:

• Fast deployment with no hardware required.

• Automatic updates, security patches, and scaling.

• 99.9% uptime SLA.

• Reduces IT overhead significantly.

Disadvantages:

• Data stored in UiPath’s data centers may be an issue for regulated industries.

• Opex subscription model can be more expensive long-term.

• Less customizable compared to self-hosted deployments.

UiPath Automation Suite (Private Cloud)

A self-hosted, containerized platform that brings all UiPath products into a Linux-based, Kubernetes-ready bundle. It is designed for enterprises that want cloud-like agility but retain infrastructure control.

How it works:

• Deployed on Linux servers or Kubernetes clusters (in your data center or private cloud).

• All UiPath modules (Orchestrator, AI Center, Automation Hub, Test Manager, etc.) run as containers.

• Managed by your IT/DevOps team.

Advantages:

• Enterprise-scale, future-proof, Kubernetes-native.

• Consolidated deployment of all UiPath products.

• Full control over data and compliance.

• Easier scaling than traditional on-premises models.

Disadvantages:

• Requires advanced Linux and Kubernetes expertise.

• Higher upfront costs for infrastructure.

• Longer deployment compared to SaaS.

• Responsibility for uptime, security, and DR lies with your IT.

UiPath On-Premises (Classic Local Server Installations)

The traditional server deployment model where UiPath components are installed on Windows servers with supporting infrastructure (SQL Server, ElasticSearch, Redis, etc.).

How it works:

• Orchestrator and supporting databases run on local servers.

• Robots are deployed on endpoints within your network.

• Other UiPath modules can be installed separately.

Advantages:

• Maximum control over infrastructure and data.

• Suitable for heavily regulated industries.

• Familiar setup for IT teams already working with Windows Server environments.

Disadvantages:

• Manual upgrades, patches, and scaling.

• High CapEx (servers, storage, licensing).

• Slower deployment and less flexibility than Cloud or Automation Suite.

• Less future-proof compared to containerized approaches.

Hybrid Model

A mix of Automation Cloud and On-Prem/Automation Suite.

How it works:

• Non-sensitive workloads run in the cloud.

• Sensitive processes run on-premises or private cloud.

• Central governance remains unified.

Advantages:

• Combines agility of SaaS with security of on-prem.

• Flexible workload placement.

• Smooth transition path to cloud.

Disadvantages:

• More complex governance and integration.

• Mixed Opex and CapEx costs.

• Requires tight coordination between IT and UiPath Cloud.

Licensing and Costs

UiPath follows a subscription-based licensing model with different frameworks and tiers.

Commercial Licensing Models

Flex

• Separate units for Robots, AI, APIs, Agents.

• More granular but more complex to manage.

• Useful for organizations needing strict consumption tracking

Organizations can switch from Flex to Unified at renewal.

• Automation Cloud (SaaS): Org/tenant-level centralized licensing.

• Automation Suite (Private Cloud): Org-level or host-level licensing.

• Standalone Licensing: Per-product, not scalable.

Unified Pricing

• Based on Platform Units (PUs).

• A single “currency” to consume robots, AI, and APIs.

• Flexible and easier to manage.

Details at: ***Licensing UiPath***

Why UiPath Matters

UiPath enables organizations to move from basic task automation to enterprise-wide hyperautomation, powered by AI and intelligent agents.

Key benefits include:

• 20–40% cost savings.

• 24/7 digital workforce.

• Consistent compliance.

• Improved employee experience by eliminating repetitive work.

Conclusion

UiPath is no longer just about RPA, it is a strategic automation platform that can be deployed in the cloud, private cloud, or on-premises. Its flexible licensing and infrastructure options make it suitable for businesses of any size, across industries with varying compliance requirements.

As UiPath expands from classic automation into agentic, AI-powered automation, organizations can unlock even greater potential: digital workers that reason, adapt, and collaborate with humans.

The choice now lies with you:

• Cloud for agility,

• Automation Suite for private cloud scalability,

• On-Prem for maximum control,

• Hybrid for balance,

• or Standalone for small-scale needs.

With UiPath, the future of automation is here, scalable, intelligent, and ready to transform your enterprise.