Impact of Instant Connectivity on Business Productivity: A Study Using the Community Embodiment Model (CEM)

The last decade has seen a significant growth in mobile technologies. Predominantly this technology has been relegated to the realm of personal use, but as this work will suggest, cost related effects of such technologies also need to be considered. For most organizations maximizing operational efficiency is the main reason why new technologies are acquired. However, apart from basic costs, such as total cost of ownership of mobile technologies, other costs (business process reengineering, and employee morale) need to be measured in order to ascertain if an organization can withstand a change to a next-generation system. This study attempts to evaluate ideas put forth by the Community Embodiment Model (CEM) as possible quantifiable variables which may assist an organization in coming to a conclusion about introducing a new product and process. The quantified variables are used in the development of a formula which alongside a simulation program and an Excel sheet gives a detailed picture of benefits gained, costs incurred, and the future picture of the initial investment. Through sensitive analysis the findings of the study will indicate the importance of factors such as employee morale on the success of a particular mobile device (Personal Digital Assistant) implementation at an organization level

A Conceptual Framework for Mobile Learning

Several technology projects have been launched to explore the opportunities that mobile technologies bring about when tackling issues of democratic participation and social inclusion through mobile learning. Mobile devices are cheaper than for instance a PC, and their affordance, usability and accessibility are such that they can potentially complement or even replace traditional computer technology. The importance of communication and collaboration features of mobile technologies has been stressed in the framework of ICT-mediated learning. In this paper, a theoretical framework for mobile learning and e-inclusion is developed for people outside the conventional education system. The framework draws upon the fields of pedagogy (constructivist learning in particular), mobile learning objects and sociology.Mobile Learning, Digital Divide, Constructivist Pedagogy, Forms Of Capital

Coalition based approach for shop floor agility – a multiagent approach

Dissertation submitted for a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, speciality of Robotics and Integrated Manufacturing from the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências e TecnologiaThis thesis addresses the problem of shop floor agility. In order to cope with the disturbances and uncertainties that characterise the current business scenarios faced by manufacturing companies, the capability of their shop floors needs to be improved quickly, such that these shop floors may be adapted, changed or become easily modifiable (shop floor reengineering). One of the critical elements in any shop floor reengineering process is the way the control/supervision architecture is changed or modified to accommodate for the new processes and equipment. This thesis, therefore, proposes an architecture to support the fast adaptation or changes in the control/supervision architecture. This architecture postulates that manufacturing systems are no more than compositions of modularised manufacturing components whose interactions when aggregated are governed by contractual mechanisms that favour configuration over reprogramming. A multiagent based reference architecture called Coalition Based Approach for Shop floor Agility – CoBASA, was created to support fast adaptation and changes of shop floor control architectures with minimal effort. The coalitions are composed of agentified manufacturing components (modules), whose relationships within the coalitions are governed by contracts that are configured whenever a coalition is established. Creating and changing a coalition do not involve programming effort because it only requires changes to the contract that regulates it

Automated Analysis of ARM Binaries using the Low-Level Virtual Machine Compiler Framework

Binary program analysis is a critical capability for offensive and defensive operations in Cyberspace. However, many current techniques are ineffective or time-consuming and few tools can analyze code compiled for embedded processors such as those used in network interface cards, control systems and mobile phones. This research designs and implements a binary analysis system, called the Architecture-independent Binary Abstracting Code Analysis System (ABACAS), which reverses the normal program compilation process, lifting binary machine code to the Low-Level Virtual Machine (LLVM) compiler\u27s intermediate representation, thereby enabling existing security-related analyses to be applied to binary programs. The prototype targets ARM binaries but can be extended to support other architectures. Several programs are translated from ARM binaries and analyzed with existing analysis tools. Programs lifted from ARM binaries are an average of 3.73 times larger than the same programs compiled from a high-level language (HLL). Analysis results are equivalent regardless of whether the HLL source or ARM binary version of the program is submitted to the system, confirming the hypothesis that LLVM is effective for binary analysis

Warehouse management system and business performance: Case study of a regional distribution centre

This paper examines Warehouse Management System (WMS) practices and their effects on operations. This study analyses the relationship between adoption of WMS to its impacts on business performance and competitive advantage of a regional distribution centre.In terms of business performance, the focus is placed on various competitive cores of distribution centre.WMS was found has a positive impact on companies' performance on operations management measures.To adopt the MIS, wireless barcode embedded WMS in specific, it is necessary to have corporate culture that supports complex operational activities.WMS implementation is crucial in bringing cost reduction in operational level, effective management in management level, as well as improvement of the company's competitiveness in strategic level. Companies that manage warehousing of their products are expected to implement WMS in order to maintain their competitive edge in the global market place

Continuous maintenance and the future – Foundations and technological challenges

High value and long life products require continuous maintenance throughout their life cycle to achieve required performance with optimum through-life cost. This paper presents foundations and technologies required to offer the maintenance service. Component and system level degradation science, assessment and modelling along with life cycle ‘big data’ analytics are the two most important knowledge and skill base required for the continuous maintenance. Advanced computing and visualisation technologies will improve efficiency of the maintenance and reduce through-life cost of the product. Future of continuous maintenance within the Industry 4.0 context also identifies the role of IoT, standards and cyber security

Information Systems: No Boundaries! A Concise Approach to Understanding Information Systems for All Disciplines

This book was created to provide a different experience for students beginning their studies in information systems. Instead of being bombarded with information from a business systems perspective, the goal of this book is to provide a baseline of material regarding information systems in all disciplines, not just business systems - hence the name No Boundaries!https://scholars.fhsu.edu/all_oer/1002/thumbnail.jp