A Framework for the Intelligent Delivery and User-Adequate Visualization of Process Information

A continuously increasing amount of data makes it difficult for knowledge-workers to identify the information they need to perform their tasks in the best possible way. Particularly challenging in this context is the alignment of process-related information (e.g., working instructions, best practices) with business processes. In fact, process-related information (process information for short) and business processes are usually handled separately. On one hand, shared drives, databases, and information systems are used to manage process information, on the other, process management technology provides the basis for managing business processes. In practice, enterprises often establish (Intranet) portals to connect both perspectives. However, such portals are not sufficient. Reasons are that process information is usually delivered without considering the current work context and business processes are presented to process participants in a rather static manner. Therefore, enterprises crave for new ways of making process information available. This paper picks up this challenge and presents the niPRO framework. niPRO is based on semantic technology and enables the intelligent delivery and user-adequate visualization of comprehensive process information

Effects of the Interactions Between LPS and BIM on Workflow in Two Building Design Projects

Variability in design workflow causes delays and undermines the performance of building projects. As lean processes, the Last Planner System (LPS) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) can improve workflow in building projects through features that reduce waste. Since its introduction, BIM has had significant positive influence on workflow in building design projects, but these have been rarely considered in combination with LPS. This paper is part of a postgraduate research focusing on the implementation of LPS weekly work plans in two BIM-based building design projects to achieve better workflow. It reports on the interactions between lean principles of LPS and BIM functionalities in two building design projects that, from the perspective of an interaction matrix developed by Sacks et al. (2010a), promote workflow

Using Ontologies for Proposing Adequate Geovisual Analytics Solutions in the Analysis of Trajectories

International audienceThis paper presents an original approach for supporting the use of geovisual analytics solutions. Many models have been proposed to characterize information visualization methods, but few have been integrated to an intelligent process for supporting user in geo-information usage. Moreover, several new solutions are continuously proposed by research, but few of them are really used in operational world. For instance, the maritime surveillance systems could gain much more identification capabilities of ship behaviors with adequate geovisual analytics solutions. Therefore, we investigated the use of geovisual methods for the analysis of mobility data, such as ship trajectories. We propose a knowledge-based system using ontologies and rules. These allow modeling the domain of geovisual analytics solutions, and their capacities in the exploration and the analysis of trajectories. This system would be used to support users in geovisual analytics of movement, based on their context of use

An Assessment of PIER Electric Grid Research 2003-2014 White Paper

This white paper describes the circumstances in California around the turn of the 21st century that led the California Energy Commission (CEC) to direct additional Public Interest Energy Research funds to address critical electric grid issues, especially those arising from integrating high penetrations of variable renewable generation with the electric grid. It contains an assessment of the beneficial science and technology advances of the resultant portfolio of electric grid research projects administered under the direction of the CEC by a competitively selected contractor, the University of California’s California Institute for Energy and the Environment, from 2003-2014

Smart Grid Technologies in Europe: An Overview

The old electricity network infrastructure has proven to be inadequate, with respect to modern challenges such as alternative energy sources, electricity demand and energy saving policies. Moreover, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) seem to have reached an adequate level of reliability and flexibility in order to support a new concept of electricity network—the smart grid. In this work, we will analyse the state-of-the-art of smart grids, in their technical, management, security, and optimization aspects. We will also provide a brief overview of the regulatory aspects involved in the development of a smart grid, mainly from the viewpoint of the European Unio