About Automation
Screen scraping tool
If you’ve ever wished to quickly gather information from a website or application without copying and pasting data for hours, you’re not alone. Manual data extraction, especially from multiple sources, can be a tedious and time-consuming endeavor. Luckily, screen scraping tools are here to help!
These clever tools help you automate the process of extracting data from websites or applications, even when there’s no easy way to access that information. Looking to track competitors, build a database, or automate a repetitive task? Screen scraping tools can save you time, reduce errors, and unlock insights that would otherwise take forever to compile.
Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Let’s take a look at what screen scraping tools are, how they work, and why businesses across industries are using them to stay ahead. Let’s dive into the details and see how you might put this powerful tool to work.
What is a screen scraping tool?
A screen scraping tool is a type of software that helps you extract data from a website or application, even if there’s no easy way to access that information. Instead of using an official API, the tool “scrapes” what’s displayed on the screen— like copying and pasting but automated.
You might use a screen scraping tool for tasks like gathering web data from a webpage, pulling data from reports, or automating repetitive online processes. It works by navigating the site, identifying the elements you want (like text, images, or tables), and extracting that content into a more usable format, such as a spreadsheet.
What is screen scraping used for?
Screen scraping tools are used to get data from websites or apps when it's hard to get it otherwise. You might use web scraping tools to track prices on e-commerce sites, monitor news updates, or collect relevant data from legacy systems. It’s also popular for automating repetitive tasks, like filling out forms or pulling data from multiple sources into one place. In healthcare, for example, you could use screen scraping to extract patient information from legacy systems that don’t offer modern integrations or APIs.
How does screen scraping work?
Screen scraping works by automating the process of visiting a website or app and extracting the information you need from what’s displayed on the screen. A tool or script simulates what you’d do manually, like opening a page, navigating the user interface, finding specific text or elements, and copying that data.
Data scrapers often use HTML structure, JavaScript, XML, CSS selectors, web crawlers, or XPath to pinpoint the right pieces of content. Some tools can even handle more complex tasks. You can click buttons, navigate through multiple web browsers, do web crawling, use search engines, navigate infinite scroll pages, bypass captchas, click through drop-down menus, or log into accounts. Once the data is captured, it’s typically saved in a format you can work with, like a CSV, Microsoft Excel file, or database, simplifying data export. Overall, it’s a clever way to pull large-scale useful information, especially when there’s no API available.
Benefits of using a screen scraping tool
Using a data scraping tool for automating repetitive tasks comes with a wide range of benefits. A screen scraping tool:
Saves time
The scraping process helps automate repetitive tasks, so you don’t have to copy and paste data.
Simplifies data aggregation
Screen scrapers quickly gather large amounts of information from multiple sources into one place.
Integrates legacy systems
Data scrapers can extract data from older systems or platforms that don’t offer APIs.
Improves accuracy
Screen scrapers can help reduce person error in data collection and processing.
Works with automation
They can handle complex workflows, like navigating through multiple pages or logging into accounts.
Saves money
Screen scraping is often cheaper than developing custom integrations or purchasing specialized software.
Use cases for screen scraping tools
If you often use data from different sources or apps, screen scraping can save a lot of time and energy. Common business use cases for screen scraping tools include:
Competitive analysis
Monitor competitors’ pricing, promotions, and product offerings to stay ahead of the market.
Lead generation
Extract contact details from online directories, social media platforms, and business listings for sales outreach.
Financial analysis
Gather stock prices, earnings reports, and market news for investment research and decision making.
E-commerce optimization
Track product availability, reviews, and pricing trends across multiple marketplaces.
Brand monitoring
Collect mentions of your company, products, or executives from news sites and social media.
Recruitment automation
Gather job postings and salary insights from competitor sites for talent acquisition strategies.
Supply chain management
Track shipping statuses, supplier pricing, and inventory levels from external platforms.
Who uses screen scraping tools?
Screen scraping tools can be beneficial to a wide range of industries, especially those reliant on third-party information. Examples of how different industries might scrape data for practical use include:
Marketing
Monitor brand mentions, customer sentiment, and competitor campaigns across social media and news outlets to refine messaging and target audiences more effectively.
Healthcare
Extract clinical trial data, drug pricing information, and regulatory updates to support research, market analysis, and compliance efforts.
Real estate
Collect property listings, historical sale prices, and rental trends to identify investment opportunities and set competitive pricing strategies.
E-commerce
Track competitor pricing, product availability, and customer reviews to adjust pricing strategies and optimize inventory levels in real-time.
Hospitality
Monitor competitor rates, availability, and customer reviews to dynamically adjust pricing and improve service offerings.
Screen scraping with UiPath Studio
If you’re looking to take automation to the next level, UiPath Studio makes it incredibly easy to harness the power of screen scraping. With UiPath Studio, you can quickly extract data from any app or website. You can also integrate it into your workflows, even if you’re a beginner without complex coding skills.
Studio uses AI and machine learning, enabling you to automate data entry, streamline processes, and improve accuracy, all while saving you valuable time. Whether you’re in finance, healthcare, or any other industry, Studio’s functionality allows you to build custom automations that fit your unique needs.
Check out UiPath Studio today to get started on your journey to supercharging your automation strategy with screen scraping tools.