Classification of software-based automation technologies: Derivation of characteristics through an empirical investigation

IEEE International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation (ICE/ITMC), pp. 1–9

Abstract

Software-based automation is becoming increasingly important to execute administrative processes more efficiently. It is characterized by different levels of technology performance. The area of application for software-based automation ranges from individual rule-based tasks requiring human-machine collaboration, to decision-based end-to-end automation performed by an artificial intelligence. Existing approaches found in literature and practice to classify those automation stages only insufficiently define the boundaries between the different technology levels. Due to this heterogeneity, it is often unclear how different technology characteristics affect the working environment of a company. This leads to an unpredictable nature of automation: job creation as an opportunity and job loss as a challenge. In this paper, a literature review shows the current state of research regarding the different classifications of technology levels for software-based automation. Consequently, a comparison of these approaches enables the deduction of relevant criteria and creates a frame for the classification of different automation levels. This framework provides an approach for further research to incorporate the effects into the working environment.

Authors 4

1. Rafael Götzen Aachen FIR Institute for Industrial Management

   FIR e. V. an der RWTH Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   FIR Institute for Industrial Management, RWTH Aachen University,Aachen,Germany

   FIR Institute for Industrial Management, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

2. Günther Schuh Aachen WZL Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University,WZL Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering,Aachen,Germany

   WZL Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

3. Volker Stich Aachen FIR Institute for Industrial Management

   FIR e. V. an der RWTH Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   FIR Institute for Industrial Management, RWTH Aachen University,Aachen,Germany

   FIR Institute for Industrial Management, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

4. Ruben Conrad Aachen FIR Institute for Industrial Management

   FIR e. V. an der RWTH Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   FIR Institute for Industrial Management, RWTH Aachen University,Aachen,Germany

   FIR Institute for Industrial Management, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany