Debunking 6 common MSP myths about RPA

Let’s debunk myths and shed light on the real magic of MSP automation.

RPA isn’t the future of MSPs—it’s the advantage that winning ones already use.

Since we originally published this article in 2023, we’ve seen hundreds of MSPs flock to robotic process automation (RPA) platforms like Rewst, leveraging it to save time and money, ensure consistency, and scale their business without adding headcount.

Despite its proven impact, RPA is still surrounded by myths that keep too many MSPs from reaping its rewards.

This blog is all about debunking the most common misconceptions about RPA and unveiling the real benefits that RPA platforms like Rewst bring to MSPs.

Myth 1: You need a dedicated, full-time person to manage automation.

Fact: Prebuilt automations and training resources let you hit the ground running—no full-time hire required.

One of the biggest hesitations from those interested in adopting RPA software is that you have to hire a full-time automation engineer from day one to gain value from the platform. While some RPA customers benefit from a dedicated automation team member, this certainly isn’t a necessity for every MSP.

RPAs like Rewst offer visual workflow builders and extensive learning resources for a reason. Many of our customers achieve automation adoption and significant results on the backs of existing technicians and team members.

How do they do it? They leverage Cluck University and our extensive library of prebuilt automations to hit the ground running—no full-time commitment required. As your automated workflows start saving time, you can reinvest that time into expanding your automation footprint. But it isn’t a requirement, and you don’t need to staff up just to get started.

Myth 2: We can just use general-purpose automation tools instead.

Fact: General-purpose tools like Zapier or n8n weren’t built to scale across MSP environments.

Tools like Zapier and n8n are great for single organizations using popular SaaS apps like Slack. But when it comes to managing automation across multiple MSP tools and client environments, they fall short fast. 

Most were designed for single-tenant use, rarely offering native support for MSP staples like ConnectWise PSA, IT Glue, Pax8, or SentinelOne. That leaves teams patching together gaps with scripts and middleware. Now there’s a conversation around slowing development, increasing errors, and creating more overhead. 

By contrast, RPA platforms like Rewst were designed to handle multi-tenant complexity, support hybrid cloud/on-prem environments, and scale processes efficiently across clients. A strong RPA platform allows you to: 

• Build a workflow once and run it dynamically across clients. 
• Adjust inputs or policies based on each client’s environment. 
• Reduce manual duplication and versioning. 
• Integrate natively with MSP-centric tools. 

Rewst brings this to life with 80+ native integrations, multi-tenant architecture, and prebuilt automations tailored to MSP needs—helping teams streamline operations. 

Why force a general-purpose tool to act like an MSP-focused platform when the real thing is right here? 

Myth 3: Automation is too difficult to set up and manage.

Fact: RPA is accessible for teams of all levels. Starting small sets you up for success.

Worried you’ll need to learn a brand-new language just to start automating? You’re not alone. 

Many MSPs assume workflow automation requires specialized technical skills or a steep learning curve—and that’s certainly true with some platforms. But with Rewst, that’s not the case. Whether you’re just starting out or already scripting in PowerShell, Rewst adapts to your team’s comfort level. 

You can build powerful workflows using our drag-and-drop visual builder—no scripting required. And for those already familiar with PowerShell, Python, or Jinja, Rewst lets you use the language and tools you know to take automation even further. 

While the urge to tackle your biggest challenges first is natural, automation is most effective when you start with small, quick wins. Think of it like building a house—laying a strong foundation ensures stability for everything that follows. Small, reusable workflows like time entry cleanup become the basis of larger ones, like new user onboarding.  

That’s why many of our customers launch production-ready automations within their first week. Just ask Alden—who built a live workflow only 8 days into being a Rewst customer. 

By starting small, you’ll learn faster, see value sooner, and avoid getting stuck in over-engineered solutions. RPA gives you the freedom to automate at your pace—one smart workflow at a time. 

Myth 4: Automation is too expensive and takes a long time to see value.

Fact: Prebuilt automations deliver rapid ROI and scalability.

Regardless of who you choose to help on your automation endeavor, time-to-value is important and that means getting up to speed quickly and efficiently. Believing that automation is a costly, long-term investment that takes years to pay off is one of the biggest misconceptions about RPA software. In reality, RPA delivers value far more quickly than most MSPs expect. 

Platforms like Rewst help MSPs move fast with minimal friction. Our library of prebuilt automations caters to real MSP use cases and integrates with your existing tools, enabling you to start automating immediately—even while training is still in progress. 

You don’t have to wait for weeks of onboarding or full internal alignment before seeing results. These prebuilt automations let you generate swift impact. This saves your team hours on repetitive tasks like ticket parsing, license assignment, password resets, and more. 

Between reduced technician workload, increased operational efficiency, and faster service delivery, the dollars saved quickly outweigh the investment. With RPA, you’re not just saving time—you’re making a strategic move that positions your MSP for long-term growth. 

Discover the ROI of RPA 

Download our free eBook + ROI calculator to see how much time and money you could save with Rewst. 

Myth 5: RPA automates jobs away.

Fact: Automation enhances human efficiency.

It’s easy to assume that automation is a job-stealing force, but the reality is quite the opposite. Workflow automation isn’t about replacing human efforts. RPA is about taking human efforts and amplifying them. Think of it as a trusted sidekick that handles repetitive tasks, like manual data entry, freeing your team to focus on strategic and creative aspects of your business. 

“Many people think automation is going to replace them. I believe automation and AI can augment people’s abilities. You’re giving them more time for what they enjoy and to learn new things.”

- Brandon Martinez, Senior IT Manager, eTop Technology  

The truth is that automation is a balance. You can fully automate some workflows and place them on autopilot. Others can be largely automated but still require human intervention. This lets you focus on the important aspects of the process vs. repetition.  

After all, human resources are necessary to oversee business processes and create the workflow in the first place. Instead of diminishing jobs, RPA enhances your team’s capabilities, turning them into superheroes of efficiency. 

Myth 6: Automation is only a nice-to-have; our manual processes work fine.

Fact: Manual processes aren’t just inefficient—they cost you time, money, and resources.

It’s easy to assume that your current processes are “good enough,” especially if they’ve been working for years. But the truth is, manual workflows are rarely scalable, secure, or profitable. They introduce inconsistency, increase the risk of human error, and quietly drain resources. 

Automation brings accuracy, speed, and repeatability to high-impact areas like new user onboarding, license tracking, billing reporting, and ticket triage—ensuring tasks get executed the same way, every time. 

More than error reduction, automation saves your MSP time and money and drives real revenue growth. For example, Marcus Networking used Rewst to automate billing reconciliation, reducing disputes by 15% and recovering $100,000 annually in underbilled licenses.  

So, while manual processes might “work,” they can also hide thousands in wasted time and missed revenue. Automation doesn’t just improve operations—it helps you build a leaner, more profitable MSP. 

RPA: Built for MSPs, built for now

Automation isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing more with less effort. From reclaiming technician time to improving service delivery, the benefits of RPA are clear: 

• Fewer errors 
• Faster delivery 
• Happier techs 
• Better margins 

And best of all, RPA automates without replacing your team. It’s your competitive advantage—not your competitor.

Joelle Cullimore
Content Marketing Manager