A Methodology for Implementing a Product-Centred Bid Model for Suppliers

Early phases of product development are critical for next phases and impact the product definition. During bid process, suppliers generate offers for a customer that must both meet customer's requirements and be realizable in terms of technical aspects, costs and due date. Our aim is to propose a methodology for implementing a generic bid model, composed of context parameters, customer's requirements, the product i.e. technical solution, its delivery process, and associated risks. Key Performance Indicators allow to evaluate different solutions. The bid model is exploited with two different approaches. First, we use Constraint Satisfaction Problems to formalize expert knowledge and identify variables/constraints and relations. Second, we use case database to reuse past experiences. This model and the methodology are applied with a company developing harbour cranes. An initialisation phase allows to define existing bid process. Then, the generic model is adapted through a specialisation phase, using specific knowledge from company's experts. Finally, the specific model is implemented and tested in an implementation phase. Future work will be focused on a software tool development

Evolving a software development methodology for commercial ICTD projects

This article discusses the evolution of a “DistRibuted Agile Methodology Addressing Technical Ictd in Commercial Settings” (DRAMATICS) that was developed in a global software corporation to support ICTD projects from initial team setup through ICT system design, development, and prototyping, to scaling up and transitioning, to sustainable commercial models. We developed the methodology using an iterative Action Research approach in a series of commercial ICTD projects over a period of more than six years. Our learning is reflected in distinctive methodology features that support the development of contextually adapted ICT systems, collaboration with local partners, involvement of end users in design, and the transition from research prototypes to scalable, long-term solutions. We offer DRAMATICS as an approach that others can appropriate and adapt to their particular project contexts. We report on the methodology evolution and provide evidence of its effectiveness in the projects where it has been used

Reconfigurability Function Deployment in Software Development

In the forthcoming highly dynamic and complex business environment high-speed and cost-effective development of software applications for targeting a precise, unique and momentary set of requirements (no more-no less) associated to a customized business case will bring sig-nificant benefits both for producers and users. This requires a life cycle change-oriented ap-proach in software development. In this respect, designing software with intrinsic evolutionary resources for reconfiguration represents the sound approach. A methodology for concurrent deployment of reconfigurability characteristics in software applications is introduced in this paper. Its potential is exemplified in a case study dealing with web-based software tools to support systematic product innovation projects.Reconfigurability, Software Development, Innovation, TRIZ, RAD

Electronic administration in Spain: from its beginnings to the present

This study presents the basic lines of electronic administration in Spain. The complexity of the Spanish political-administrative system makes such a study challenging, in view of the considerable degree of autonomy and competences of the regional administrative bodies and local agencies with respect to the central government, the former being more visible in the 17 regions of Spain. Nonetheless, the central government maintains a series of legal instruments that allow a certain common framework of action to be imposed, aside from what is put into effect through diverse programs aimed precisely to develop common tools for the regions and municipalities of Spain. After an introduction that provides some necessary background, this study describes the legislative framework in which Spain's electronic administrative system has developed. The data included in the study refer to investment in information and communication technologies (ICT) and the services offered by the different Administrations on the internet; internet access by citizens, homes, businesses, and employees, as well as the interactivity existing with administrations by means of the internet; the origins and rise of various political initiatives of the Central Government involving electronic administration; and finally, the situation of civil service personnel, as catalysts of the success of Information Society in the Public Administration within Spain

Design of an innovation platform for manufacturing SMES

This paper reports on the conception of a collaborative, internet-based innovation platform with semantic capabilities, which implements a new methodology for the adoption of a systematic innovation process in globally-acting networked SMEs. The main objective of the innovation platform is to stimulate the generation of ideas, the selection of good ideas and their ultimate implementation. The platform will support SMEs to manage and implement the complex innovation processes arisen in a networked environment, taking into account their internal and external links, by enabling an open multi-agent focused innovation system, facilitating customer, provider, supplier and employee- focused innovation. The solution is specifically focused on the needs of manufacturing SMEs and will observe product, process and management innovation. The paper presents the key elements of the innovation model and makes references to a novel approach concerning the development of a robust and flexible Central Knowledge Repository for the innovation platform

Patent Scope and Innovation in the Software Industry

Software patents have received a great deal of attention in the academic literature. Unfortunately, most of that attention has been devoted to the problem of whether software is or should be patentable subject matter. With roughly eighty thousand software patents already issued, and the Federal Circuit endorsing patentability without qualification, those questions are for the history books. The more pressing questions now concern the scope to be accorded software patents. In this Article, we examine the implications of some traditional patent law doctrines for innovation in the software industry. We argue that patent law needs some refinement if it is to promote rather than impede the growth of this new market, which is characterized by rapid sequential innovation, reuse and re-combination of components, and strong network effects that privilege interoperable components and products

Definition of a methodology to analyze and measure interactions inside Regional Innovation Systems.

The aim of the present thesis proposal is to define a methodology to measure the interactions among the agents involved in a System of Innovation, due to the fact that the literature agrees in a lack of measures in this respect. The conceptualization of Regional Innovation Systems (Cooke and Morgan, 1993) can be understood like an extension and adaptation arisen from the concept of National Innovation Systems defined in the works of Freeman (1987), Nelson (ed., 1993) and Lundvall (ed., 1992) and in the subsequent development of Edquist (ed., 1997). It consist of analyzing the existence of actors (institutions, clusters, universities, industries…) and regional competences, and the interactions into Innovation Networks among them, providing regional authorities with a tool to define policies to increase competitiveness. A first stream work in which relations and flows among the main agents of an Innovation System are shown, is the one made up by the works of Scherer, (1982), Pavitt (1984), Archibugi (1988), Galli and Teubal (1997), DeBresson (ed., 1996). Another is due to Andersen (1992, 1996) on Innovation Systems, using “graph theory” and simulation models (Andersen and Lundvall, 1997). Recently, some different research projects can be found in which relations established among the agents in Innovation Systems are studied (European Planning Studies, Vol. 8, Not. 4, 2000). Besides, diverse simulation models created to measure the characteristics of Innovation Systems in different environments (Simulating Self-Organizing innovation networks” -SEIN-) are also detailed. There is a growing need to elaborate indicators that allow to predict changes in the regional innovation capacity beyond those employed in the linear model. We have also noticed the need to measure other processes such as those related to institutional relations and the creation of networks, in order to evaluate innovation policies (Zenker, 2001; Landabaso, Oughton, Morgan, 2001; Saviotti, 1997; Archibugi, Howells and Michie, eds., 1999). This is supported by the fact that several policies fostering innovation have been defined, such as RIS, RTP, RITTS, etc… In this context, and due to the importance of co-operation practices within Regional Innovation Systems, the present research project tries to contribute with a model as well as an Indicator Scoreboard which helps quantify the interrelations that occur among the agents in an Innovation System.Regional Innovation Systems, Innovation Networks, Measures, Interactions.