Model-driven Enterprise Systems Configuration

Enterprise Systems potentially lead to significant efficiency gains but require a well-conducted configuration process. A promising idea to manage and simplify the configuration process is based on the premise of using reference models for this task. Our paper continues along this idea and delivers a two-fold contribution: first, we present a generic process for the task of model-driven Enterprise Systems configuration including the steps of (a) Specification of configurable reference models, (b) Configuration of configurable reference models, (c) Transformation of configured reference models to regular build time models, (d) Deployment of the generated build time models, (e) Controlling of implementation models to provide input to the configuration, and (f) Consolidation of implementation models to provide input to reference model specification. We discuss inputs and outputs as well as the involvement of different roles and validation mechanisms. Second, we present an instantiation case of this generic process for Enterprise Systems configuration based on Configurable EPCs

Integrating information and knowledge for enterprise innovation

It has widely been accepted that enterprise integration, can be a source of socio-technical and cultural problems within organisations wishing to provide a focussed end-to-end business service. This can cause possible “straitjacketing” of business process architectures, thus suppressing responsive business re-engineering and competitive advantage for some companies. Accordingly, the current typology and emergent forms of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) technologies are set in the context of understanding information and knowledge integration philosophies. As such, key influences and trends in emerging IS integration choices, for end-to-end, cost-effective and flexible knowledge integration, are examined. As touch points across and outside organisations proliferate, via work-flow and relationship management-driven value innovation, aspects of knowledge refinement and knowledge integration pose challenges to maximising the potential of innovation and sustainable success, within enterprises. This is in terms of the increasing propensity for data fragmentation and the lack of effective information management, in the light of information overload. Furthermore, the nature of IS mediation which is inherent within decision making and workflow-based business processes, provides the basis for evaluation of the effects of information and knowledge integration. Hence, the authors propose a conceptual, holistic evaluation framework which encompasses these ideas. It is thus argued that such trends, and their implications regarding enterprise IS integration to engender sustainable competitive advantage, require fundamental re-thinking

Management and Service-aware Networking Architectures (MANA) for Future Internet Position Paper: System Functions, Capabilities and Requirements

Future Internet (FI) research and development threads have recently been gaining momentum all over the world and as such the international race to create a new generation Internet is in full swing: GENI, Asia Future Internet, Future Internet Forum Korea, European Union Future Internet Assembly (FIA). This is a position paper identifying the research orientation with a time horizon of 10 years, together with the key challenges for the capabilities in the Management and Service-aware Networking Architectures (MANA) part of the Future Internet (FI) allowing for parallel and federated Internet(s)

A Historical Study of an Implementation Methodology: A Morphogenetic Analysis

To improve the results of Enterprise Systems (ES) implementation projects, new or revised implementation methodologies are introduced by ES vendors. Yet, the innovation and adoption of implementation methodologies (IM), which are computer-based and incorporate both project management and functional components, can be problematic. The purpose of this paper is to describe and explain the adoption of an implementation methodology. We recount for the adoption of an implementation methodology through the lens of a realist theory of social change. Our qualitative study provides insight into IM instantiation as manifestation of IM adoption configuration generated by the interplay between structure and agency over time, and suggests four implementation methodology adoption configurations: fragmented, aggregated, integrated, and infrastructural. This study also offers a foundation for future work that may contribute to a more coherent view on the instantiation of IMs and adoption configurations

PURCHASING CLOUD-BASED PRODUCT-SERVICE BUNDLES IN VALUE NETWORKS - THE ROLE OF MANAGEABLE WORKLOADS

The implementation of electronic procurement processes for product-service systems, consisting of material and service components requires a consideration of strategic, tactical and operational issues in procurement processes and information technologies. Increasingly, in certain industries, these product-service systems consist more and more of cloud-based components like online storage or web applications. In the past, the alignment of business processes with a focus on traditional procurement processes for products or services has been well established. But with the rise of product-service systems as core offering from companies, the design of hybrid procurement processes in value networks has to be developed. The merging of different procurement processes for products and services, however, has severe problems and does not reflect the specific requirements in the procurement of product-service systems, especially with cloud-based components. This article highlights the need for a process-oriented view in procurement at multiple levels of abstraction and describes a model for the design of electronic procurement process in value networks for cloud-based product-service systems requirements. Different process characteristics are examined for applicability to hybrid value performance and allow an adjustment proposal for the hybrid procurement process. The proposed procurement model is validated in a typical case-study in the IT industry

NETQOS policy management architecture for flexible QOS provisioning in Future Internet

This paper is focussed on the NETQOS architecture for automated QoS policy provisioning, which can be used in Future Internet scenarios by the different actors (i.e. network operators, service providers, and users) for flexible QoS configuration over combinations of mobile, fixed, sensor and broadcast networks. The NETQOS policy management architecture opens the possibility to specify QoS policies on a "business" level using ontology descriptions and policy management interfaces, which are specific to the actors. The business level policy specifications are translated by the NETQOS system into intermediate and operational QoS policies for automated QoS configuration at the managed heterogeneous network and transport entities. NETQOS allows QoS policy specification and dependency analysis considering Service Level Agreements (SLAs) between the actors, as well as automated policy provisioning and adaptation. The interaction of the NETQOS components is based on a common po licy repository. The particular focus of the paper is aimed to discuss ontology and actor oriented QoS policy specification and configuration for heterogeneous networks, as well as NETQOS QoS policy management interfaces at business level and automated translation of business QoS policies to intermediate and operational policy level