CROFlora, a database application to handle the Croatian vascular flora

CROFlora is a multi-user database application for species-oriented and specimen-oriented systematic and taxonomic work on Croatian flora. It is designed for dealing with all kinds of data that are commonly used in systematic botany and floristic work. CROFlora comprises several main modules: (1) taxonomy, (2) herbarium, (3) literature, (4) chorology and (5) related data, such as ecology and multimedia. CROFlora was built over a relational database. The database relies on the normalised data model, which is presented in the paper. Amongst other features, the client application provides the user with extended query by example (QBE) capabilities and with user-customised reports. The reports include taxon sheets, taxa checklists, herbarium labels, bibliography labels and other complex reports. The database can be connected to a geographical information system (GIS), which empowers easy production of distribution maps and other spatial analysis. The Web interface enables Internet searches

AXMEDIS 2008

The AXMEDIS International Conference series aims to explore all subjects and topics related to cross-media and digital-media content production, processing, management, standards, representation, sharing, protection and rights management, to address the latest developments and future trends of the technologies and their applications, impacts and exploitation. The AXMEDIS events offer venues for exchanging concepts, requirements, prototypes, research ideas, and findings which could contribute to academic research and also benefit business and industrial communities. In the Internet as well as in the digital era, cross-media production and distribution represent key developments and innovations that are fostered by emergent technologies to ensure better value for money while optimising productivity and market coverage

Insurance Management System for Fresh Graduates Using Web Based Decision Support System (DSS)

Buying an insurance is not as easy as it seems because it involves measurements of personal lifestyles, preferences, needs, and financial condition. One of the problem is that even insurance information is everywhere, seldom there are people who can adequately make use of the information to purchase a suitable policy. Furthermore, high similarity of different insurance products and services compress the scope of buying a really differentiated and suitable insurance policy for an individual. In this study, integration of Web Based and decision support system are employed to develop an Insurance Management System for enabling all fresh graduates from all states of Malaysia to use it for facilitating insurance buying process. Its main target users are fresh graduates between the age of 23 and 30 who are found lacking of insurance literacy. Of all types of insurance in the market, the system will focus specifically in helping the fresh graduates to buy individual personal accident, private car and private motorcycle insurance policies offered by insurance companies in Malaysian insurance market. The Insurance Management System is a system that is able to capture user's information such as income, lifestyle, travel preferences, family members, age of car or motorcycle owned and others factor by prompting three different and separate set of questions for the respective insurance categories of personal accident, car and motorcycle. The user will need to fill in the questions for the category(ies) of insurance he/ she wishes to purchase in relevant web pages. Subsequently, after all the questions from personal accident, car or motorcycle are submitted to the system, the system will suggest and display the insurance product(s) which best meets the user's demands and requirements. Apart from that, comparative tables can also be found in the web system to allow the user to compare personal accident, car and motorcycle insurance benefits offered by different companies at one glance. The system will be developed according to prototype methodology where user participation in designing the system is maximum to continuously refine the system. In capturing users' satisfactions after using the system, user acceptance survey and usability testing survey were adopted. It is said that the proposed web system received positive feedbacks as demonstrated in both the surveys with a 92.5 System Usability Scale (SUS) score which signified that users are convinced by both the look and performance of the proposed system and they are keen to use the system frequently in the future

A query processing system for very large spatial databases using a new map algebra

Dans cette thèse nous introduisons une approche de traitement de requêtes pour des bases de donnée spatiales. Nous expliquons aussi les concepts principaux que nous avons défini et développé: une algèbre spatiale et une approche à base de graphe utilisée dans l'optimisateur. L'algèbre spatiale est défini pour exprimer les requêtes et les règles de transformation pendant les différentes étapes de l'optimisation de requêtes. Nous avons essayé de définir l'algèbre la plus complète que possible pour couvrir une grande variété d'application. L'opérateur algébrique reçoit et produit seulement des carte. Les fonctions reçoivent des cartes et produisent des scalaires ou des objets. L'optimisateur reçoit la requête en expression algébrique et produit un QEP (Query Evaluation Plan) efficace dans deux étapes: génération de QEG (Query Evaluation Graph) et génération de QEP. Dans première étape un graphe (QEG) équivalent de l'expression algébrique est produit. Les règles de transformation sont utilisées pour transformer le graphe a un équivalent plus efficace. Dans deuxième étape un QEP est produit de QEG passé de l'étape précédente. Le QEP est un ensemble des opérations primitives consécutives qui produit les résultats finals (la réponse finale de la requête soumise au base de donnée). Nous avons implémenté l'optimisateur, un générateur de requête spatiale aléatoire, et une base de donnée simulée. La base de donnée spatiale simulée est un ensemble de fonctions pour simuler des opérations spatiales primitives. Les requêtes aléatoires sont soumis à l'optimisateur. Les QEPs générées sont soumis au simulateur de base de données spatiale. Les résultats expérimentaux sont utilisés pour discuter les performances et les caractéristiques de l'optimisateur.Abstract: In this thesis we introduce a query processing approach for spatial databases and explain the main concepts we defined and developed: a spatial algebra and a graph based approach used in the optimizer. The spatial algebra was defined to express queries and transformation rules during different steps of the query optimization. To cover a vast variety of potential applications, we tried to define the algebra as complete as possible. The algebra looks at the spatial data as maps of spatial objects. The algebraic operators act on the maps and result in new maps. Aggregate functions can act on maps and objects and produce objects or basic values (characters, numbers, etc.). The optimizer receives the query in algebraic expression and produces one efficient QEP (Query Evaluation Plan) through two main consecutive blocks: QEG (Query Evaluation Graph) generation and QEP generation. In QEG generation we construct a graph equivalent of the algebraic expression and then apply graph transformation rules to produce one efficient QEG. In QEP generation we receive the efficient QEG and do predicate ordering and approximation and then generate the efficient QEP. The QEP is a set of consecutive phases that must be executed in the specified order. Each phase consist of one or more primitive operations. All primitive operations that are in the same phase can be executed in parallel. We implemented the optimizer, a randomly spatial query generator and a simulated spatial database. The query generator produces random queries for the purpose of testing the optimizer. The simulated spatial database is a set of functions to simulate primitive spatial operations. They return the cost of the corresponding primitive operation according to input parameters. We put randomly generated queries to the optimizer, got the generated QEPs and put them to the spatial database simulator. We used the experimental results to discuss on the optimizer characteristics and performance. The optimizer was designed for databases with a very large number of spatial objects nevertheless most of the concepts we used can be applied to all spatial information systems."--Résumé abrégé par UMI

Business intelligence models (iportaldoc-statistics module)

Several Business Intelligence tools are available in the market, some are paid others have free trial version and others are free for commercial use. Selecting the best tool for a particular set of data through its specifications is not a simple process unless it is installed and used for a reasonable period of time. The objective of this thesis is to analyze and compare Business Intelligence tools available in the market in order to identify the one that best meets the needs of iPortalDoc (document management tool). It is also intended to improve the iPortalDoc Statistics module according to the capabilities of the selected Business Intelligence tool. The objectives were achieved by comparing the characteristics of various Business Intelligence applications available in the market and selecting the two most promising applications (one free and the other with free trial version) and which are open source. The responses of the selected application functionalities to iPortalDoc were evaluated, with a superiority of the SpagoBI tool compared to the installed one (Pentaho). On this basis, the SpagoBI tool is recommended for its advanced and easy-to-use features.Várias ferramentas de Business Intelligence estão disponíveis no mercado, algumas são comerciais, outras têm versão de teste gratuita e outras são gratuitas para uso comercial. A seleção da melhor ferramenta, para determinado conjunto de dados, através das suas especificações não é um processo simples, a menos que esta seja instalada e usada por um período de tempo razoável. O objetivo desta dissertação é analisar e comparar ferramentas de Business Intelligence disponíveis no mercado de maneira a identificar a que melhor responde às necessidades do iPortalDoc (ferramenta de gestão documental). Pretende-se ainda melhorar o módulo de Estatísticas do iPortalDoc de acordo com as potencialidades da ferramenta de Business Intelligence selecionada. Os objectivos traçados foram obtidos através da comparação das características de várias aplicações de Business Intelligence disponíveis no mercado e da selecção das duas aplicações mais promissoras (uma gratuita e a outra com versão teste gratuita) e que sejam open source. As respostas das funcionalidades das aplicações selecionadas ao iPortalDoc foram avaliadas, tendo-se verificado uma superioridade da ferramenta SpagoBI relativamente à outra ferramenta instalada (Pentaho). Nesta base, recomenda-se a ferramenta SpagoBI pelas suas características avançadas e fáceis de usar

Data mining languages for business intelligence

Doctoral Thesis in Information Systems and Technologies Area of Engineering and Manag ement Information SystemsDesde que Lunh usou, pela primeira vez, em 1958, o termo Business Intelligence (BI), grandes transformações se operaram na área dos sistemas e t ecnologias de informação e, em especial, na área dos sistemas de apoio à decisão. Atualmente , os sistemas de BI são amplamente utilizados nas organizações e a sua importância est ratégica é largamente reconhecida. Estes sistemas apresentam-se como essenciais para um comp leto conhecimento do negócio e como uma ferramenta insubstituível no apoio à tomada de decisão. A divulgação das ferramentas de Data Mining (DM) tem vindo a aumentar na área do BI, assim como o reconhecimento da relevância da sua utilização nos sistemas de BI emp resariais. As ferramentas de BI são ferramentas amigáveis, ite rativas e interativas, permitindo aos utilizadores finais um acesso fácil. Desta forma, é possível ao utilizador final manipular diretamente os dados, tendo assim a possibilidade d e extrair todo o valor para o negócio neles contido. Um dos problemas apontados na utilização d o DM na área do BI prende-se com o facto de os modelos de DM serem, em geral, demasiado comp lexos para que os utilizadores de negócio os possam manipular diretamente, contrariam ente ao que ocorre com as outras ferramentas de BI. Neste contexto, foi identificado como problema de i nvestigação a não existência de ferramentas de BI que possibilitem ao utilizador de negócio a m anipulação direta dos modelos de DM e, consequentemente, não possibilitando extrair todo o valor potencial neles contidos. Este aspeto reveste-se de particular importância num universo e mpresarial no qual a concorrência é cada vez mais forte e no qual o conhecimento do negócio, das variáveis envolvidas e dos potenciais cenários representam um papel fundamental para as o rganizações poderem concorrer num mercado extremamente exigente. Considerando que os sistemas de BI assentam, maiori tariamente, sobre sistemas operacionais que utilizam sobretudo o modelo relacional de bases de dados, a investigação efetuada inspirou- se nos conceitos ligados ao modelo relacional de ba ses de dados e nas linguagens a ele associadas em particular as linguagens Query-By-Exa mple (QBE). Estas linguagens têm uma forte componente de interactividade, são amigáveis e permitem iteratividade e são amplamente utilizadas em ambiente de negócio pelos utilizadore s finais. Têm vindo a ser desenvolvidos esforços no sentido d o desenvolvimento de padrões e normas na área do DM, sendo dada grande relevância ao tema da s bases de dados indutivas. No contexto Data mining languages for business intelligence iv das bases de dados indutivas é dada grande relevânc ia às chamadas linguagens de DM. Estes conceitos serviram, igualmente, de inspiração a est a investigação. Apesar da importância destas linguagens de DM, elas não estão orientadas para os utilizadores finais em ambientes de negócio. Ligando os conceitos relacionados com as linguagens QBE e com as linguagens de DM, foi concebida e implementada uma linguagem de DM para B I, à qual foi dado o nome QMBE. Esta nova linguagem é por natureza amigável, iterativa e interativa, isto é, apresenta as mesmas características que as ferramentas de BI habituais permitindo aos utilizadores finais a manipulação direta dos modelos de DM e, deste modo, aceder a todo o valor potencial desses modelos com todos as vantagens que daí poderão advi r. Utilizando um protótipo de um sistema de BI, a linguagem foi implementada, testada e aval iada conceptualmente. Verificou-se que a linguagem possui as propriedades desejadas, a saber , é amigável, iterativa, interativa. Finalmente, a linguagem foi avaliada por utilizador es finais que já tinham experiência anterior na utilização de DM em contexto de BI. Verificou-se qu e na ótica destes utilizadores a utilização da linguagem apresenta vantagens em relação à utilizaç ão tradicional de DM no âmbito do BI.Since Lunh first used the term Business Intelligenc e (BI) in 1958, major transformations happened in the field of information systems and te chnologies, especially in the area of decision support systems. Nowadays, BI systems are widely us ed in organizations and their strategic importance is clearly recognized. These systems pre sent themselves as an essential part of a complete knowledge of business and an irreplaceable tool in the support to decision making. The dissemination of data mining (DM) tools is increasi ng in the BI field, as well as the acknowledgement of the relevance of its usage in en terprise BI systems. BI tools are friendly, iterative and interactive, a llowing business users an easy access. This way, the user can directly manipulate data, thus having the possibility to extract all the value contained into that business data. One of the problems noted in the use of DM in the field of BI is related to the fact that DM models are, generally, too complex in order to be directly manipulated by business users, as opposite to other BI tools. Within this context, the nonexistence of BI tools a llowing business users the direct manipulation of DM models was identified as the research problem , since that, as a consequence of business users not directly manipulating DM models, they can be not able of extracting all the potential value contained in DM models. This aspect has a par ticular relevance in an entrepreneurial universe where competition is stronger every day an d the knowledge of the business, the variables involved and the possible scenarios play a fundamental role in allowing organizations to compete in an extremely demanding market. Considering that the majority of BI systems are bui lt on top of operational systems, which use mainly the relational model for databases, the rese arch was inspired on the concepts related to this model and associated languages in particular Q uery-By-Example (QBE) languages. These languages are widely used by business users in busi ness environments, and have got a strong interactivity component, are user-friendly, and all ow for iterativeness. Efforts are being developed in order to create stan dards and rules in the field of DM with great relevance being given to the subject of inductive d atabases. Within the context of inductive databases a great relevance is given to the so call ed DM languages. These concepts were also an inspiration for this research. Despite their import ance, these languages are not oriented to business users in business environments. Data mining languages for business intelligence vi Linking concepts related with QBE languages and wit h DM languages, a new DM language for BI, named as Query-Models-By-Example (QMBE) was conceiv ed and implemented. This new language is, by nature, user-friendly, iterative an d interactive; it presents the same characteristics as the usual BI tools allowing business users the d irect manipulation of DM models and, through this, the access to the potential value of these mo dels with all the advantages that may arise. Using a BI system prototype, the language was imple mented, tested, and conceptually evaluated. It has been verified that the language possesses th e desired properties, namely, being user- friendly, iterative, and interactive. The language was evaluated later by business users who were already experienced in using DM within the context of BI. It has been verified that, according to these users, using the language presents advantages when comparing to the traditional use of DM within BI