EVOLIS Framework: a Method to Study Information Systems Evolution Records

This research proposes a framework that helps information systems managers to interpret present state of the system, to understand its past and to predict its future. The benefits of the framework are twofold. First, it gives managers a tool for assessing the impact of a change from either the users or the business/IS perspective. Managers can use this framework to design a strategy for information system evolution. Second, the framework allows the study of information systems evolution by revealing specific evolution patterns. In this context, this article presents a systematic method to inform components of this framework. The framework' s structure is tested against six case studies on information systems evolution. Based on these case studies, this article presents a timeline of evolutions used to trace and study the life cycle of each information system according to the framework. Moreover, the case studies validate a trace analysis method and highlights specific evolution patterns

EVOLIS: a Framework for Evaluating Evolution of Information Systems

While there has been extensive research in the field of software evolution, to date little research has been carried out as to the management of these evolutions in a business context. This research in progress proposes a frame- work that helps information systems managers to interpret present state of the system, to understand its past and to predict its future. The framework addresses both the users' perspective of the system and how well it supports the business activities. The benefits of the framework are twofold. First, it gives managers a tool for assessing the impact of a change from either the users and the business/IS perspective. Managers can use this framework to design a strategy for information system evolution. Second, the framework allows the study of information systems evolution by revealing, through the repeated use of the framework, specific evolution patterns. This research is conducted using a design science approach in information systems

Development and evaluation of a novel robotic system for search and rescue

Search and Rescue robotics is a relatively new field of research, which is growing rapidly as new technologies emerge. However, the robots that are usually applied to the field are generally small and have limited functionality, and almost all of them rely on direct control from a local operator. In this paper, a novel wheeled Search and Rescue robot is proposed which considers new methods of controlling the robot, including using a wireless “tether” in place of a conventional physical one. A prototype is then built which acts as a proof of concept of the robot design and wireless control. The prototype robot is then evaluated to prove its mobility, wireless control and multi-hop networking. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design incorporating the rocker-bogie suspension system and the multi-hop method of “wireless tethering”

Déploiement agile d'ERP open source en PME

Cette recherche en cours traite les problèmes de déploiement d'ERP en PME. Bien que, comme les grandes entreprises, les PME deviennent de plus en plus dépendantes de leur système d'information, le déploiement doit être abordé différemment. Afin de répondre aux besoins spécifiques des PME, nous proposons une méthodologie Agile et itérative de déploiement d'ERP, qui positionne l'utilisateur final au centre du projet. Cette méthodologie exige de l'outil ERP une transparence de l'architecture technique qui permette de procéder à des mises en production partielles. Ces mises en production itératives permettent de répartir et de diminuer l'impact d'un déploiement et également d'obtenir un système qui favorise son appropriation par les utilisateurs finaux. On trouve notamment dans les ERP Open Source cette transparence nécessaire à la maîtrise des dépendances entre modules

A Model for a Better Understanding of the Digital Distribution of Music in a Peer-to-Peer Environment

Emergence of P2P systems had an unquestionable impact on data and media interchange over the Internet, to the point of seriously challenging traditional actors of the music business field. Technical issues concerning the deployment of P2P networks are more or less well described; they rely on well-known transmission protocols and benefit from the mass-effect of Internet. But for the moment, the question of business viability of P2P chains of media diffusion is still open. This paper proposes a model to better understand and compare the different actors confronted to or exploiting this important technological change. The final objective of this model is to provide a better characterization of each actor's abilities, along with the impact of new technological opportunities (like P2P systems) on their respective activities. The proposed model is directly derived from the e-business model ontology developed by Osterwalder & Pigneur for characterization of value-chains in e-Business fields

E-Commerce Applications Evolution Issues: the case of E-Banking

As a specific case of E-Commerce, E-Banking is a typical service combining a communication and a distribution channel. E-Banking applications have had a continuous evolution over the time, from their apparition in the context of innovation in the banking sector to the relative standardisation and convergence of current state. This paper reports the results of the field research aiming to identify the various issues related to the evolution of these applications. Several players of banking sector were studied. Core issues are identified and discussed. The research target is to extrapolate from E-Banking cases a framework to understand main business drivers over web-based applications evolution and change management