@techreport{SmeetsOstendorfRoetzel2021, type = {Working Paper}, author = {Smeets, Mario and Ostendorf, Ralf and R{\"o}tzel, Peter}, title = {RPA for the financial industry}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Abstract: Like many service industries, the financial industry is largely characterized by administrative and back-office processes and distinguished by a broad systems landscape with a high proportion of legacy systems. Missing interfaces between information systems, user interfaces, or web applications often require many manual activities. As banks are often functionally organized into traditional departments, a process-oriented organizational structure is rarely in place. The financial industry therefore offers enormous potential for the use of robotic process automation (RPA) and the raising of potential benefits such as process-related cost savings, time reductions, and quality improvements. The aim of this chapter is to describe the tremendous opportunities that the use of RPA technology offers to the financial industry and to explain how these opportunities can be realized. Therefore, we start by explaining the challenges that progressive digitalization poses to the industry and how RPA, but also more advanced technologies (that work not only rule-based but also define own rules), such as artificial intelligence, can help to overcome them. As well as providing an overview of the various applications of RPA in the financial industry, we also provide a comprehensive case study of a relevant practical application}, subject = {Robotic Process Automation}, language = {en} } @article{SmeetsOstendorfRoetzel2021, author = {Smeets, Mario and Ostendorf, Ralf and R{\"o}tzel, Peter}, title = {AI and its Opportunities for Decision Making in an Organizational Context: A Systematic Review of the Influencing Factors on the Intention to use AI}, series = {Die Unternehmung - Swiss Journal of Business Research and Practice}, volume = {2021}, journal = {Die Unternehmung - Swiss Journal of Business Research and Practice}, number = {OnlineFirst}, pages = {1 -- 28}, year = {2021}, abstract = {One domain of application of artificial intelligence (AI) is decision support, particularly in management. Although there are already research streams examining the interaction of AI and humans (e.g. the stream on "hybrid intelligence"), there are still numerous open research gaps - for example, a comprehensive overview of which factors favor the intention to use AI is missing. By conducting a systematic literature review, we identify the factors that potentially positively influence AI usage intentions for decision-making processes in organizations. From this, we create a framework that both provides practical implications for the successful use of AI in organizational decision-making processes and delivers further research approaches, for example, on the validity/ usability of proven IS adoption models in the present context.}, subject = {K{\"u}nstliche Intelligenz}, language = {en} } @article{MarxSeefeldtHaskeetal.2025, author = {Marx, Jan and Seefeldt, Malte and Haske, Damian and Lutz, Christian and Hellmann, Ralf and Esen, Cemal and Ostendorf, Andreas}, title = {Holographic freeform micro hole processing using Bessel beams}, series = {Optics \& Laser Technology}, volume = {183}, journal = {Optics \& Laser Technology}, publisher = {Elsevier BV}, issn = {0030-3992}, doi = {10.1016/j.optlastec.2024.112287}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Bessel beams are advantageous tools for micro drilling applications due to their diffraction-free properties, their long focal length, and their small focal spot diameter. However, their application in industry is limited because they are challenging to integrate into flexible beam shaping systems. This work is intended to overcome limitations in flexibility by presenting a new approach paving the way to high-aspect ratio freeform holes. Therefore, a spatial light modulator was integrated into an axicon-based setup to merge diffraction-free ablation with the flexibility of holographic spatial beam shaping. A dynamic change of the phase hologram displayed on the spatial light modulator during the process allows for the generation of arbitrary ablation geometries. In contrast to other holographic approaches, the diffraction-free nature of the Bessel beam allows ablation over an extended focal depth without any focus control needed. The applicability of the approach was demonstrated by processing arbitrary hole shapes, such as ellipses, squares, or star-shapes. The hole sizes of the freeform holes range from 4 μm to 80 μm. Furthermore, up-scaling of the process is demonstrated by using the setup for generation of multi-Bessel spots.}, subject = {Mikrobearbeitung}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{MarxEsenLutzetal.2023, author = {Marx, Jan and Esen, Cemal and Lutz, Christian and Hellmann, Ralf and Ostendorf, Andreas}, title = {Holographic tuning of physical axicons}, volume = {2023}, number = {154}, publisher = {LiM 2023 Proceedings}, pages = {1 -- 9}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Axicon generated Bessel beams are a popular tool for high aspect ratio precision laser drilling. Spot diameter and working distance are given by the geometric parameters of the axicon and the wavelength used. Thus, it is difficult to manipulate the beam shape of a Bessel beam for a given setup. Spatial light modulators (SLMs) overcome limitations in flexibility. However, due to the limited phase shift of SLMs, only Bessel beams with flat cone angles and large focal length can be generated. In this contribution, an approach for generating Bessel beams with a shorter, but tunable focal length is presented. A physical axicon was combined with an SLM. A holographic image of a negative axicon is put on the SLM to generate a ring beam, which is focused by a subsequent physical axicon to get a small focal diameter. Thus, different sized high aspect ratio micro holes can be drilled without using any moving components.}, subject = {Bessel-B{\"u}ndel}, language = {en} }