A requirements data model for product service systems

Product service systems (PSS) are bundles of physical technological elements and service elements that are integrated to solve customer problems. In practice, most components of PSS are developed independently from each other, which leads to problems with coordination of development activities and integration of PSS components. Therefore, an integrated requirements engineering for PSS is needed that deals with the involvement of developers from product engineering, software engineering, and service engineering, as well as the inherent complexity of the PSS and the development process. In a case study with the development department of a PSS provider, we analyzed requirements documents and conducted expert interviews. We identified problems in the development, for example, that requirements on different levels of abstraction are intermingled, rationales for requirements are missing, and the concretization of requirements is unclear. To solve these problems, we propose a requirements data model (RDMod) for requirements to PSS. An RDMod describes different types of requirements and the relations between them. Thus, it is a scheme for the concretization of the requirements, which especially addresses the problems of structuring the requirements, enabling traceability, and finding conflicts. We then used an analytical evaluation, a feature-based evaluation and a retrospective application with requirements analysts of the industry partner. In a joint workshop, we specified requirements for a PSS with the RDMod. In structured interviews, we analyzed the perceived advantages of the RDMod. The experts confirmed that the RDMod is applicable in their development and it provides a clear structure for the requirements and therefore helps overcoming the identified problems

A representation scheme for digital product service system definitions.

The growing trend for delivering physical products to customers as parts of product service systems (PSS) is creating a need for a new generation of Computer Aided Design (CAD) system to support the design of PSS: so-called "PSS-CAD". Key research issues in the development of such systems include building understanding of the kinds of applications that designers of PSS might need and the establishment of well-founded representation schemes to underpin and support communication between PSS-CAD systems. Recent literature includes numerous descriptions of integrated PSS development processes, PSS-CAD tools to support these processes and early meta-models to provide information support. This paper complements this work by proposing a representation scheme that is a key prerequisite to achieving the interoperability between PSS-CAD systems which would be necessary to support the deployment of integrated PSS development processes in industry. The representation scheme, a form of meta-model, draws on learning from the product definition community that emerged in the 1970s in response to a need for interoperability between the different shape-based CAD systems that were being developed at the time. The initial focus on shape representation has developed to digital product definitions that define the design of a product coupled with meta-data recording details of processes by which the design was created and, more recently, supported through-life. Similarly, PSS-related information includes both PSS definitions, to support the lifecycles of physical products and associated services, and meta-data needed to support the management of PSS development processes. This paper focuses on information requirements for the definition of service elements of PSS and relationships with product elements and service actors. These requirements are derived from earlier work on the use of service blueprinting for the visualisation and mapping of service activities to deliver different types of service contract. Key information requirements addressed include the need to represent service process flow and breakdown structures, relationships between service and product elements, substitution relationships, and service variants. A representation scheme is proposed and demonstrated through application to a PSS case study. The representation scheme is built on a generic information architecture that has already been applied to problems of product definition; as such there is an underlying compatibility that offers real promise in the future realisation of integrated PSS development processes

Sustainable Value Proposition Design in a Product-Service System

Many companies have started to add services to their tangible products in order to defend themselves from increased competition from low-cost economies. Research regarding the transition towards product-service systems (PSS) and how the PSS providers' business models are affected exists, but there is a lack of research regarding how the suppliers to the PSS providers are affected by the transition towards PSS. Therefore, this thesis studies the situation for a supplier/partner to an OEM that has changed their business model to a PSS providing one. As the first step in a development of a new business model aims this thesis to provide guidelines for how to set up value propositions suitable for a supplier/partner in this new environment. When technologically complex products, such as aircraft engines, are provided through PSS offerings it is hard to translate customer needs into quality parameters, which makes it hard to sustain the value to customer over time. Therefore, how to keep the value offering sustainable over time is also investigated in this thesis. The aim of this study was to investigate how a sustainable value proposition can be designed for a product and technology supplier/partner to an OEM that offers PSS solutions. The research has been performed through studying relevant literature and collecting empirical data from a case company through semi-structured interviews and a workshop. The case company in this research is Volvo Aero Corporation (VAC). The empirical findings show that VAC wants to offer product-service bundled solution, which fit the whole spectra of PSS value propositions, to their partners/customers. To be able to deliver these different types of product-service bundled solutions different value propositions that suit the different kinds of PSS offerings are needed. Requirements that must be fulfilled to be able to offer and deliver the different types of value propositions exist in terms of securing sufficient information access, aligning the incentives of all actors involved and achieving an internal consensus of what is delivered

Digital Supply Chain Transformation toward Blockchain Integration

Digital supply chain integration is becoming \ increasingly dynamic. Access to customer demand \ needs to be shared effectively, and product and service \ deliveries must be tracked to provide visibility in the \ supply chain. Business process integration is based on \ standards and reference architectures, which should \ offer end-to-end integration of product data. \ Companies operating in supply chains establish \ process and data integration through the specialized \ intermediate companies, whose role is to establish \ interoperability by mapping and integrating companyspecific \ data for various organizations and systems. \ This has typically caused high integration costs, and \ diffusion is slow. This paper investigates the \ requirements and functionalities of supply chain \ integration. Cloud integration can be expected to offer \ a cost-effective business model for interoperable \ digital supply chains. We explain how supply chain \ integration through the blockchain technology can \ achieve disruptive transformation in digital supply \ chains and networks

Strategi Pemasaran Produk Murabahah Di Koperasi Serba Usaha Baitul Maal Wattamwil Marhaban Rembang Purbalingga

The purpose of this study is to describe the product marketing strategy of Murabahah conducted by KSU BMT Marhaban Purbalingga Rembang. The method used in this research is qualitative method with descriptive approach. This study was conducted in Rembang Marhaban KSU BMT Purbalingga, research carried out for six months, since September 2015 until the month of December 2015. Sources of data used primary data and secondary data obtained through interviews and observations. Informant in this research is the Manager, Marketing and Customer service. Validity of the data using triangulation methods and triangulation of sources. Data analysis technique using an interactive model that consists of data reduction, data presentation and conclusion. Results of this research is the marketing strategy of Murabahah products using the marketing mix (marketing mix) with a model of seven components: 1) Product (product) that is marketed consists of various kinds, there is a fund products and financing products. For products there are product financing Mudaraba financing, Musharaka and Murabaha, but the most in demand by the public is Murabaha financing products. 2) Price (price) are applied, namely by taking profits in accordance with the agreement between BMT and party members. 3) location (place) which is strategically located in the BMT edge of the highway so it is easy to reach by public transport. 4) Promotion (promotion) is applied which is more emphasis on kinship systems and a personalized approach, and information by word of mouth. 5) The person (people), the strategies are giving priority to service excellence and professional. 6) Physical evidence (physical evidence), a performance that seeks to provide satisfaction to the members with optimal service. 7) Process (proses) in the delivery of services refers to the SOP and to provide funding application procedures that are standard requirements, quickly and safely in order to attract members

Identifying critical service issues in the service encounter – a first step in the development of a conceptual model for the shipping industry

Title Identifying critical service issues in the service encounter – a first step in the development of a conceptual for the shipping industry Author Claas Boomgaarden Key Words Service Quality, Service Encounter, SERVQUAL, INDSERV, PDSQ, LSQM, Shipping Industry, Service Science, Service Dominant Logic, Relationship Marketing Purpose The purpose of this research is to provide a first step in the development of a conceptual model for service quality in the shipping industry. Theoretical Perspectives This study is embedded in the theoretical field of service quality. Due to the lack of applicable models for the shipping industry, the existing literature of service quality for the business-to-consumer as well as business-to-business sector where combined to provide the theoretical framework for this study. Even though other models were analysed and considered in the theoretical background, eventually models like the SERVQUAL model, the INDSERV model, as well as the Physical Distribution Service Quality (PDSQ) model and the Logistics Service Quality (LSQ) model built the guideline for the data collection process. Methodology In accordance with the explorative purpose of this research, a qualitative case study, with German freight forwarders as the unit of interest, was set up. The collection of empirical data and their analysis followed the abductive hermeneutic approach. Empirical Data The empirical data for this study was derived from eight semi-structured interviews with industry experts, which lasted between twenty minutes and one hour. Conclusion The study has shown that critical service issues are depending on the value and the implied requirements of the shipped product. Nevertheless, availability, time and price as well as a flawless and fast service and good contact to contact personnel were identified as critical service issues. In order to provide a first step in the development of a conceptual model for service quality in the shipping industry, the dimensions of responsiveness, reliability/discrepancy handling, flexibility and contact to contact personnel are proposed. Further, the study shows the interconnectivity of these dimensions and proposes enabler dimensions in the form of contact person quality and process quality. By identifying these critical service issues as well as the service dimensions and their interconnectivity, the partial adaptation of established service quality measurement systems is confirmed. However, also their shortcomings are presented and this gap is closed through modification or adaptation of new dimensions

Evaluation of Different Electronic Product Code Discovery Service Models

Electronic Product Code Discovery Service (EPCDS) is an important concept in supply chain processes and in Internet of Things (IOT). It allows supply chain participants to search for their partners, communicate with them and share product information using standardized interfaces securely. Many researchers have been proposing different EPCDS models, considering different requirements. In this paper, we describe existing architecture designs of EPCDS systems, namely Directory Service Model, Query Relay Model and Aggregating Discovery Service Model (ADS). We also briefly mention Secure Discovery Service (SecDS) Model, which is an improved version of Directory Service Model with a secure attribute-based access control mechanism. Then, we analyze the strengths and limitations of these models, by comparing based on non-functional features such as data ownership, confidentiality, business relationship independence, availability, reliability, implementation complexity, visibility, and scalability. From the analysis results, we have a better understanding of which model is more suitable in what kinds of situations or scenarios. Moreover, we suggest possible improvements and identify possible future add-on applications to SecDS model in the paper

New process burner automation product developement for power plants

Thesis work processes new automation product development in delivery organization. Orderer of this thesis work is Valmet Technologies incorporation, whose business consist of supplying and development of technologies, automation and service for pulp, paper and energy industries. Thesis was carried out among with specific product development team in Pulp and Energy business line as part of a new product development project. The demand for the thesis was to produce a cost efficient product model for delivery projects and represent how new product development is done. Thesis seizes new product development processes and the information needed to create a new product model concerning specification, building and testing from idea to testing phase. The firm has recognized a demand to develop automation product which has better price competitiveness. Thesis represents how to develop a new automation product, which fulfills requirements entered from stakeholders. One goal for the thesis is to depict re-usable new product development process model. Designing of the product model used the company’s product data information systems. Product design is a two-level process, in which the upper level requirements for the product were set by company strategic landscape or CSL-framework model. Lower level requirements formed from different processes represented in the thesis. The empirical part of the thesis was built on pilot project. Pilot project validated the product model and single automation product. Simultaneously was used design to cost method or DTC-method, which enabled the product model cost monitoring for upcoming projects. Thesis determines an approach for new product development and tactic processes involved in it. Development creates a product model. Thesis states that the new product development process is asynchronous, but it involves systematical action, which consist of various different processes and methods. At the end of the thesis conclusion is proposed whether the product model is what was needed and if the approach is good. The end of thesis also clarifies benefits and the competition or the alternatives for the product model

CAD - CAM data transfer as a part of product life cycle

Dostupnost i raspoloživost pravim i tačnim informacijama danas predstavlja preduslov za lansiranje uspešnog proizvoda na svetsko tržište. Svaka od tih informacija doprineće kreiranju novog i poboljšanog proizvoda u bilo kom segmentu njegovog životnog veka. Ukoliko se radi o računarski podržanoj proizvodnji onda u fazi prenosa podataka sa geometrijskog modela na model izrade prilike za grešku treba svesti na minimum. Veliki broj standarda protokola i zapisa za međusobnu softversku razmenu podataka danas samo potvrđuje kolika se pažnja poklanja ovoj oblasti. S druge strane, krajnji korisnik je uvek u prilici da traži bolja i povoljnija rešenja, sa što manje prilika za grešku, za prenos podataka u konkretnom slučaju. Time svi ulazni zahtevi projektanta bivaju ispunjeni čime proizvod dobija željenu geometriju i kvalitet. To je samo preduslov za njegovu dalju nadogradnju i implementaciju u složene tehničke sisteme da bi nakon toga prešao u narednu fazu svog životnog veka, odnosno eksploataciju i ispunjavanje zahteva krajnjeg korisnika.Availability and accessibility of proper and correct information is a precondition nowadays for launching a successful product to the world market. Every piece of information will help in creating a new and improved product at any segment of its life cycle. If it is a computer aided manufacturing then in the phase of data transfer from the geometrical model to the production model, errors should be minimized. A large number of standards protocols and scripts for the software data exchange confirm how important this area is. On the other hand, the end user is always able to look for better and more favorable solutions, with the least possibility for errors in our case, in data transfer. Thus all the input requirements of the designer are met, giving the product the desired geometry and quality. That is only a precondition for its further development and implementation in the complex technical systems, so that it would pass into the next phase of its life cycle, which is its actual service and fulfillment of end users’ requirements