Modeling and Analysis of Interactions in Virtual Enterprises

Advances in computer networking technology and open system standards are making the creation and management of virtual enterprises feasible. A virtual enterprise is a temporary consortium of autonomous, diverse, and possibly geographically dispersed organizations that pool their resources to meet short-term objectives and exploit fastchanging market trends. For a virtual enterprise to succeed, its business processes must be automated, and its startup costs must be minimized. In this paper we describe a formal framework for modeling and reasoning about interactions in a virtual enterprise. Such a framework will form the basis for tools that provide automated support for creation and operation of virtual enterprises. 1

The virtual organizing process—A critical tool for enterprise competitiveness in the information era

The term virtual enterprise has generated considerable confusion because of its rather liberal interpretation. This paper argues that the successful establishment of a virtual enterprise is mainly dependent on the virtual organizing processes of an enterprise\u27s strategies ( VOPES), rather than on the actual manifested transformation of the whole into a single virtual organization. A three-dimensional dynamic framework for VOPES is presented, with the aim of providing a coherent model for positioning the various virtual organizing strategies, and at the same time giving VOPES dynamic tendencies towards market negotiation, co-operation, co-ordination and collaboration. To achieve a competitive advantage, the top management of an enterprise operating in an intense information environment can organize their enterprise virtually by using the three-dimensional framework of: virtual customer relationship, virtual outsourcing, and virtual knowledge and expertise. The generic IT architecture of VOPES is also described and discussed

Multi-layer virtual transport network design and management

Nowadays there is an increasing need for a general paradigm that can simplify network management and further enable network innovations. Software Defined Networking (SDN) is an efficient way to make the network programmable and reduce management complexity, however it is plagued with limitations inherited from the legacy Internet (TCP/IP) architecture. On the other hand, service overlay networks and virtual networks are widely used to overcome deficiencies of the Internet. However, most overlay/virtual networks are single-layered and lack dynamic scope management. Furthermore, how to solve the joint problem of designing and mapping the overlay/virtual network requests for better application and network performance remains an understudied area. In this thesis, in response to limitations of current SDN management solutions and of the traditional single-layer overlay/virtual network design, we propose a recursive approach to enterprise network management, where network management is done through managing various Virtual Transport Networks (VTNs) over different scopes (i.e., regions of operation). Different from the traditional overlay/virtual network model which mainly focuses on routing/tunneling, our VTN approach provides communication service with explicit Quality-of-Service (QoS) support for applications via transport flows, i.e., it involves all mechanisms (e.g., addressing, routing, error and flow control, resource allocation) needed to meet application requirements. Our approach inherently provides a multi-layer solution for overlay/virtual network design. The contributions of this thesis are threefold: (1) we propose a novel VTN-based management approach to enterprise network management; (2) we develop a framework for multi-layer VTN design and instantiate it to meet specific application and network goals; and (3) we design and prototype a VTN-based management architecture. Our simulation and experimental results demonstrate the flexibility of our VTN-based management approach and its performance advantages

IVLE4C a Conceptual Learning Environment for Teaching Enterprise Cybersecurity

The authors are working to improve students’ understanding of and classroom experience with enterprise cybersecurity. Central to this effort is development of the Integrated Virtual Learning Environment for Cybersecurity (IVLE4C), a teaching and learning tool intended for use by both teachers and students. The authors are endeavoring to incorporate into IVLE4C best practices from the knowledge domains of education, model-based systems engineering, and cybersecurity. A modern digital enterprise is a large-scale, complex system of systems. Enterprise cybersecurity is a special subset of the larger knowledge domain that merits special consideration when instructing students who lack relevant work experience. This lack of work experience creates a gap in students’ knowledge about the structure, operation, and control of a modern digital enterprise. Our guiding precept – coined Greer’s Rule of Thumb – is that: it is impossible to defend what cannot be visualized and described. Therefore, it is essential to address the student enterprise knowledge gap before attempting to teach the means for assuring enterprise cybersecurity. Viste and Skartveit (2004) propose using an interactive virtual learning environment with reality abstraction models when teaching the structure, operation, and control of a large-scale complex system. The creation of a virtual model enables a modern digital enterprise to be brought into the classroom. This allows for learning that is complementary to experiential learning that occurs during an internship and, possibly, a viable alternative when internships are unavailable or come later in a curriculum path. Once developed, a library of models representing different digital enterprise types can be used to accelerate student enterprise cybersecurity education in a controlled classroom environment. During the presentation, the authors will provide an update on the use of model-based system engineering practices and how they are being integrated into IVLE4C for developing a tailored, enterprise risk management strategy. This approach is consistent with guidance provided in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Research shows model-based systems engineering is increasingly being used for developing engineered cybersecurity solutions. An example of this is research performed by Robles-Ramirez et.al. (2020) on the application of model-based Cybersecurity Engineering for Connected and Automated Vehicles. Key is the notion of turning a cyber-attack surface into a trust boundary at targeted levels. IVLE4C version 1.0 is currently being used to teach Cyber Supply Chain Security at UNCW. Version 2.0 is a dynamic data driven web application, that is being developed for teaching Enterprise Security

An agent-based framework for selection of partners in dynamic virtual enterprises

Advances in computer networking technology and open system standards have made practically feasible to create and manage virtual enterprises. A virtual enterprise, VE, is usually defined as a temporary alliance of enterprises that come together to share their skills, core competencies, and resources in order to better respond to business opportunities, and whose cooperation is supported by computer networks. The materialization of this paradigm, although enabled by recent advances in communication technologies, computer networks and logistics, requires an appropriate architectural framework and support tools. In this paper we propose an agent-based model of a dynamic VE to support the different selection processes that are used in selecting the partners for a dynamic VE, where the partners of a VE are represented by agents. Such a framework will form the basis for tools that provide automated support for creation, and operation, of dynamic virtual enterprises

Modeling Virtual Organization Architecture with the Virtual Organization Breeding Methodology

While Enterprise Architecture Modeling (EAM) methodologies become more and more popular, an EAM methodology tailored to the needs of virtual organizations (VO) is still to be developed. Among the most popular EAM methodologies, TOGAF has been chosen as the basis for a new EAM methodology taking into account characteristics of VOs presented in this paper. In this new methodology, referred as Virtual Organization Breeding Methodology (VOBM), concepts developed within the ECOLEAD project, e.g. the concept of Virtual Breeding Environment (VBE) or the VO creation schema, serve as fundamental elements for development of VOBM. VOBM is a generic methodology that should be adapted to a given VBE. VOBM defines the structure of VBE and VO architectures in a service-oriented environment, as well as an architecture development method for virtual organizations (ADM4VO). Finally, a preliminary set of tools and methods for VOBM is given in this paper.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

A distributed multi-agent framework for shared resources scheduling

Nowadays, manufacturers have to share some of their resources with partners due to the competitive economic environment. The management of the availability periods of shared resources causes a problem because it is achieved by the scheduling systems which assume a local environment where all resources are on the same site. Therefore, distributed scheduling with shared resources is an important research topic in recent years. In this communication, we introduce the architecture and behavior of DSCEP framework (distributed, supervisor, customer, environment, and producer) under shared resources situation with disturbances. We are using a simple example of manufacturing system to illustrate the ability of DSCEP framework to solve the shared resources scheduling problem in complex systems

Implementation of virtual manufacturing by a technology licensing company

NoThe paper considers the implementation of a virtual manufacturing system as an alternative to outward technology licensing in a high technology industrial sector. Brief theoretical definition and description of the two strategy options is provided to give background and context. This is followed by empirical material from a longitudinal case study of a company that has developed a virtual manufacturing system in addition to its pre-existing outward technology licensing business stream. A summary account of the company history and development is followed by description of the virtual manufacturing proposal. Analysis of this identified a number of competencies that would be required in order to succeed. The final part of the paper describes the company's response to this analysis and discusses early implementation of the virtual system. It is shown that implementation of the proposal has represented a positive response to the business challenges facing the company

Improving supply chain management in construction: what can be learned from the aerospace industry?

In order to provide for controllable delivery, reliable lead times and efficient customer response, lean manufacturing and platform assembly practices play an important role in supply chains in the aerospace industry. The adoption of lean manufacturing practices ensures an efficient delivery of products to the market. Benefits from the development of platform strategies are a more reliable materials supply and an improved logistics control. The aerospace industry is characterized by a small number of major global players and many small ones. A major part of the design and production has been contracted out to suppliers. In this paper the basic similarities and differences between the construction and aerospace industry and supply chains are analysed. A comparative study of aerospace and construction supply chains is presented to indicate and discuss the applicability of supply chain management concepts to construction, and the improvement potential of these concepts regarding supply chain management in construction. It is concluded that in particular the practice of platform assembly is a fruitful concept to be applied in the construction industry