69,545 research outputs found
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Benchmarking performance management systems
The Balanced Scorecard and associated performance management approaches, has become a widely practiced and popular management reporting method in recent times. Moreover, enabling technology, which assists in the delivery and personalisation of corporate performance information, is having a deeper and more rapid impact than ever before. This paper presents a brief comparative benchmarking study of leading enterprise performance management systems. Also, the author discusses the merits of bespoke internet technology development and out-of-the-box portal functionalities. An analysis of key business drivers and implementation risks of such approaches is highlighted via a case study example, and concludes the paper
Cloud based testing of business applications and web services
This paper deals with testing of applications based on the principles of cloud computing. It is aimed to describe options of testing business software in clouds (cloud testing). It identifies the needs for cloud testing tools including multi-layer testing; service level agreement (SLA) based testing, large scale simulation, and on-demand test environment. In a cloud-based model, ICT services are distributed and accessed over networks such as intranet or internet, which offer large data centers deliver on demand,
resources as a service, eliminating the need for investments in specific hardware, software, or on data center infrastructure. Businesses can apply those new technologies in the contest of intellectual capital management to lower the cost and increase competitiveness and also earnings. Based on comparison of the testing tools and techniques, the paper further investigates future trend of cloud based testing tools research and development. It is also important to say that this comparison and classification of testing tools describes a new area and it has not yet been done
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The Use of Hosted Enterprise Applications by SMEs: A Dual Market and User Perspective
YesThis deliberately dual perspective paper seeks to deepen our understanding of the engagement of SMEs in hosted enterprise applications in the UK. The emergence and development of the ASP sector has attracted much interest and highly optimistic forecasts for revenues. The paper starts by considering ICT adoption by SMEs in general before reviewing the provision of hosted enterprise applications in the US and UK (market perspective). The study is extended by qualitative empirical data collected by semi-structured interviews with SME users of hosted enterprise applications (user perspective) and subsequent analysis in order to develop the key findings and conclusions. From an SME user perspective the key findings to emerge from the study include: i) confirmation that ICT infrastructure was no longer a barrier to adoption, ii) the pragmatic approach taken to security issues, iii) the use of both multiple information systems and multiple service providers, iv) the financial attractiveness of the rental model and v) the intention to continue or extend the use of hosted applications. It also highlights the opportunity for gaining competitive advantage by using hosted enterprise applications to reduce costs. There are very few empirical studies of hosted applications which take deliberately market and SME user perspectives - this paper makes an important contribution in this emerging field
High-Performance Cloud Computing: A View of Scientific Applications
Scientific computing often requires the availability of a massive number of
computers for performing large scale experiments. Traditionally, these needs
have been addressed by using high-performance computing solutions and installed
facilities such as clusters and super computers, which are difficult to setup,
maintain, and operate. Cloud computing provides scientists with a completely
new model of utilizing the computing infrastructure. Compute resources, storage
resources, as well as applications, can be dynamically provisioned (and
integrated within the existing infrastructure) on a pay per use basis. These
resources can be released when they are no more needed. Such services are often
offered within the context of a Service Level Agreement (SLA), which ensure the
desired Quality of Service (QoS). Aneka, an enterprise Cloud computing
solution, harnesses the power of compute resources by relying on private and
public Clouds and delivers to users the desired QoS. Its flexible and service
based infrastructure supports multiple programming paradigms that make Aneka
address a variety of different scenarios: from finance applications to
computational science. As examples of scientific computing in the Cloud, we
present a preliminary case study on using Aneka for the classification of gene
expression data and the execution of fMRI brain imaging workflow.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, conference pape
A Case for Peering of Content Delivery Networks
The proliferation of Content Delivery Networks (CDN) reveals that existing
content networks are owned and operated by individual companies. As a
consequence, closed delivery networks are evolved which do not cooperate with
other CDNs and in practice, islands of CDNs are formed. Moreover, the logical
separation between contents and services in this context results in two content
networking domains. But present trends in content networks and content
networking capabilities give rise to the interest in interconnecting content
networks. Finding ways for distinct content networks to coordinate and
cooperate with other content networks is necessary for better overall service.
In addition to that, meeting the QoS requirements of users according to the
negotiated Service Level Agreements between the user and the content network is
a burning issue in this perspective. In this article, we present an open,
scalable and Service-Oriented Architecture based system to assist the creation
of open Content and Service Delivery Networks (CSDN) that scale and support
sharing of resources with other CSDNs.Comment: Short Article (Submitted in DS Online as Work in Progress
An evaluation of the economic impact of broadband in Lincolnshire: updated final report
The Lincolnshire Broadband Initiative, âonlincolnshireâ, was launched in 2003 to bring a range
of broadband supply and demand stimulation activities to businesses across the county.
The initiative has used ÂŁ15 million of European funding, together with matched funding from
Lincolnshire County Council, to support a series of significant Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) interventions to provide support and financial assistance to eligible
Lincolnshire businesses.
The âonlincolnshireâ initiative has four long term strategic objectives. By 2010:
⢠Lincolnshire will be the foremost rural County in the UK, with regards to ICT usage and
skills and will have a commercial environment that embraces ICT;
⢠The main employment sites and premises will have attracted increased and more diverse
investment;
⢠ICT will have made a major contribution to business competitiveness, expansion and
diversification of the economy â measured through an increase in ICT related employment
and a range of ICT based activities;
⢠To have engaged individuals and employers in improving ICT skills to increase local
competitiveness, raise the standards, participation and achievement in ICT throughout the
County
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