Hyperautomation Drives Companies Forward

08/08/2023

Making small and medium-sized enterprises more resilient and efficient through automation: This is the focus of a new 1.4 million euro project by Professors Johannes Hewig and Axel Winkelmann.

The logo of the Würzburg ERDF project Hyperautomation.

The economic situation in Germany is tense. Some sectors are still struggling with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and the current effects of wars and crises.

Problems have arisen due to gaps in supply chains as well as rising energy and overall costs with increased inflation. In a survey conducted by the Bavarian Chambers of Industry and Commerce, 44 per cent of the companies surveyed stated that their offerings were no longer competitive due to rising energy prices. 24 per cent expressed the opinion that they needed to digitise and automate their business processes more in order to achieve greater energy efficiency.

"These companies are exactly right. A well-thought-out automation and digitalisation strategy tailored to the respective company can tackle many problems and improve energy efficiency. Rising energy costs can then be better cushioned," says Professor Axel Winkelmann, Head of the Chair of Business Administration and Information Systems at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU).

Networking in a Hyperautomation Ecosystem

In order to make progress in this area, Axel Winkelmann and JMU Professor Johannes Hewig (Psychology) have launched a new project together with small and medium-sized companies from Bavaria. The aim is to network the companies in a so-called hyperautomation ecosystem in which they can automate their process landscape. In cooperation with the two JMU chair teams, technologies and best-practice approaches are to be developed and passed on to other companies.

The Bavarian Ministry of Science is funding the new "Hyperautomation Ecosystem" project with around 1.4 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project will start on 1 August 2023 and run until 31 March 2027. The funding will be used to transfer hyperautomation technologies to regional companies.

Enormous Need for Companies to Catch Up

"The reality in companies shows an enormous need to catch up when it comes to automation," says business IT specialist Winkelmann. The automation potential in business processes is often not fully utilised. Although many companies utilise automation technologies, they are far from working with the full potential of their data foundation.

To improve the situation, hyperautomation technologies can be used - these ensure the coordination of existing and new automation islands. The aim is to make time-consuming routine work in companies independent. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can also be used for this task.

The Role of Psychology

Why is a psychology professor involved in the project? Johannes Hewig explains: "Dealing with automation in the work context doesn't just have to be mastered from the technical side. The right level of trust in the complex interaction between humans and machines or artificial intelligence must be learnt in the process. Furthermore, automation places different demands in terms of development tasks and workload, so that the mental well-being of workers in the automation process should not be lost sight of."

By identifying individual needs and recording and developing expertise in the relationship of trust between man and machine, technical and individual psychological needs can ultimately be reconciled in the work context. This would support the sustainability of automation both at an economic level and with regard to the mental health of workers.

Project Starts With Needs Assessment

In the project, the needs of the participating companies are first determined via a web platform. It enables users to share their ideas, ask questions and hold discussions. Voting results in a ranking that identifies relevant task areas.

"With the platform, we are creating an ecosystem of companies and science that transcends company boundaries," says Axel Winkelmann. As suitable specialists are needed for restructuring, the platform also serves to recruit digital talent and place university graduates. It also strengthens contact with implementation partners and solution providers.

Support With ERDF Project Applications

The researchers were supported by the university's Service Centre for Research and Technology Transfer (SFT) when submitting and preparing the project application. The SFT advises JMU researchers on applying for funding from the European ERDF and ESF funds. ERDF is the European Regional Development Fund, ESF is the European Social Fund. Both funds are the EU's most important instruments for strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion.