An enterprise modeling and integration framework based on knowledge discovery and data mining

This paper deals with the conceptual design and development of an enterprise modeling and integration framework using knowledge discovery and data mining. First, the paper briefly presents the background and current state-of-the-art of knowledge discovery in databases and data mining systems and projects. Next, enterprise knowledge engineering is dealt with. The paper suggests a novel approach of utilizing existing enterprise reference architectures, integration and modeling frameworks by the introduction of new enterprise views such as mining and knowledge views. An extension and a generic exploration of the information view that already exists within some enterprise models are also proposed. The Zachman Framework for Enterprise Architecture is also outlined versus the existing architectures and the proposed enterprise framework. The main contribution of this paper is the identification and definition of a common knowledge enterprise model which represents an original combination between the previous projects on enterprise architectures and the Object Management Group (OMG) models and standards. The identified common knowledge enterprise model has therefore been designed using the OMG's Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) and Common Warehouse MetaModel (CWM), and it also follows the RM-ODP (ISO/OSI). It has been partially implemented in Java(TM), Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB) and Corba/IDL. Finally, the advantages and limitations of the proposed enterprise model are outlined

A stakeholder-based analysis of the benefits of network enabled capabilities

Realisation of the benefits sought from Network Enabled Capability (NEC) requires industry and UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to work effectively together with a shared vision. Earlier studies have revealed disparate understandings of the NEC concept and a lack of agreement on its definition. Furthermore, although the benefits of NEC have been intuitively recognised, it is not clear that these benefits have been metricated in a fashion suitable to justify the investment needed in research and development for their realisation. This paper reports on a workshop involving military users and industrial systems engineers that sought to identify and prioritise the benefits of NEC through which NEC development may be assessed. It also draws on the outcomes of other interactive workshops on the perception of NEC by stakeholders organised within the framework of NECTISE research programme. The motivation for this paper is to disseminate NEC benefits on which there is industry and user consensus to encourage the generation of meaningful measurements of NEC value in the future. The outcomes have revealed considerable coherence between the stakeholder groups in recognition and priority of the benefits, although these benefits were all of an operational (military) nature. This indicates a good prospect for industry engagement in the NEC aspiration and metrics are now needed to measure the effectiveness of using NEC in different contexts such as military and industry. The benefits are also included in the impact of NEC on the systems engineering discipline, but in order to achieve them systems engineering may be required to change or adapt new practices

HIL real-time simulation of a digital fractional order PI controller for time delay processes

Fractional order control has been used extensively in the last decade for controlling various types of processes. Several design approaches have been proposed so far, the closed loop performance results obtained being tested using different simulation conditions. The hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) real-time simulation offers a more reliable method for evaluating the closed loop performance of such controllers prior to their actual implementation on the real processes, such HIL simulation being highly suitable especially for complex, hazardous processes in which human and equipment errors should be avoided. The present paper proposes a hardware-in-the-loop real-time simulation setting for a digital fractional order PI controller in a Smith Predictor structure. The designed control strategy and fractional order controller is then tested under nominal and uncertain conditions, considering a time delay process

NEC themes: a conceptual analysis and applied principles

This paper deals with essential principles of Interoperability, Agility, Collaboration and Knowledge applied in the context of Network Enabled Capability Through Innovative Systems Engineering (NECTISE). Using empirical investigations these concepts have been identified as NEC-readiness themes and they contribute significantly to the realisation of NEC. Based on a systemic analysis and application of theoretical principles, the approach described in this paper contributes towards the demonstration of NEC as well as the identification of a limited set of critical features for capability planning and systems design. Some research questions are derived and discussed and a gap analysis strategy is proposed. These themes also defined as critical features have been investigated in a variety of contexts The main contributions of this paper are related to the mapping the themes to the military capability model and formalisation of the relationships. The purpose of such an exercise is to exploit learning from other (mainly civil) domains in the military context, with regard to the readiness themes which overlap with a limited set of critical features for design within a NEC context

Modeling the linkage between systems interoperability and security engineering

Industry, finance, and other business activities are increasingly reliant on computer networks and systems, which demand effective interoperability of systems. But this also demands effective systems security, which poses a major challenge to the socio-technical interactions enabled by interoperable tools. This paper addresses modeling of the linkages between interoperability and security in the model design stage of systems development. It considers current interoperability frameworks and the manner in which they may be combined with security standards and desirable characteristics to create trusted, robust systems that are central to the operation of network enabled large scale applications. An holistic approach for interoperability and security is presented based on systems requirements modeling and model based architecting principles

How knowledge sharing and business process contribute to organizational performance: Using the fsQCA approach

The purpose of this research is to carry out a comparative analysis of organizational factors that facilitate knowledge sharing and business process, ultimately contributing to the improvement of organizational performance. The literature considers knowledge sharing a key factor for driving innovation as well as the organization's business performance, as both explicit and tacit knowledge sharing promotes a novel robust approach for business-knowledge process. This research explores the application of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis as a set-theoretic comparative analysis approach to investigate the relationships between knowledge sharing, business process, and organizational performance through the identification of key organizational operation factors. Based on empirical data collected from 28 cases, the analysis results demonstrate the important role of organizational operation factors in knowledge sharing and business-knowledge process, which directly contribute to the improvement of organizational performance

Supply Chain Efficiency of Environmentally Friendly Microalgae-Based Biodiesel Production

Environmentally friendly algae-based biodiesel production includes biofuel extraction that represents a technological process which inflicts minimal damage to the environment or does not harm it. Biodiesel that is almost completely based on renewable resources can be utilized as one of the most promising biofuels, and it is environmentally safer than petrol-diesel for several reasons such as: 1. Microalgae have high photosynthesis efficiency and can grow very fast; 2. Microalgae can be cultivated without occupying farmlands, and thus it is possible to reduce the potential damage to the agricultural ecosystem and the traditional food webs; 3. Fresh water is not essential and nutrients can be supplied by wastewater and CO2 by gas combustion during cultivation; 4. Microalgae can be collected very quickly, obviously accelerating the biodiesel production process; 5. The property of their uniform cell structure with no bark, stems, branches or leaves make the commercial production attractive, thus making the operation and control of reproduction conditions much more practical; 6. The general properties as well as the physical biodiesel fuel properties from algae oil (e.g. density, viscosity, acid value, heating value, etc.) are comparable to those of fuel diesel. This paper investigates in detail this option presenting advantages, but also existing limits and gaps. Undoubtedly, incorporating the principles of supply-chain management enabled by information technology (IT) systems to support these processes is a more effective and efficient option to enhance the efficiency of algae-based biodiesel production

The influence of the concept of capability-based management on the development of the systems engineering discipline

This paper explores the implications of a capability-based conceptual approach on the development of the systems engineering (SE) discipline. It deals with the identification of some potential limits and gaps of traditional SE approaches and demonstrates the need for new and innovative developments which support the concept of capability based engineering, especially as applied in the military domain and networking environments. The innovative approaches include partnership for capability planning and service descriptions for capability representations. The paper also presents a very brief assessment of the state-of-the-art of cognate domains such as capability based planning alongside requirements engineering and management, and considers the extent to which they address capability based concepts. The related concepts of system of systems (SoS) and the endeavour to extend SE to SoS are necessarily addressed

Towards a meaningful manufacturing enterprise metamodel: a semantic driven framework

This paper presents a deep investigation and an interdisciplinary analysis of the collaborative networked enterprise engineering issues and modelling approaches related to the relevant aspects of the semantic web technology and knowledge strategies. The paper also suggests a novel framework based on ontology metamodelling, knowledge model discovery, and semantic web infrastructures, architectures, languages, and systems. The main aim of the research enclosed in this paper is to bridge the gaps between enterprise engineering, modelling, and especially networking by intensively applying semantic web technology based on ontology conceptual representations and knowledge discovery. The ontological modelling approaches together with knowledge strategies such as discovery (data mining) have become promising for future enterprise computing systems. The related reported research deals with the conceptual definition of a semantic-driven framework and a manufacturing enterprise metamodel (ME_M) using ontology, knowledge-driven object models, standards, and architectural approaches applied to collaborative networked enterprises. The conceptual semantic framework and related issues discussed in this paper may contribute towards new approaches of enterprise systems engineering and networking as well as applied standard and referenced ontological models