A semi-formal comparison between the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (COBRA) and the Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM)

The way in which application systems and software are built has changed dramatically over the past few years. This is mainly due to advances in hardware technology, programming languages, as well as the requirement to build better software application systems in less time. The importance of mondial (worldwide) communication between systems is also growing exponentially. People are using network-based applications daily, communicating not only locally, but also globally. The Internet, the global network, therefore plays a significant role in the development of new software. Distributed object computing is one of the computing paradigms that promise to solve the need to develop clienVserver application systems, communicating over heterogeneous environments. This study, of limited scope, concentrates on one crucial element without which distributed object computing cannot be implemented. This element is the communication software, also called middleware, which allows objects situated on different hardware platforms to communicate over a network. Two of the most important middleware standards for distributed object computing today are the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) from the Object Management Group, and the Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) from Microsoft Corporation. Each of these standards is implemented in commercially available products, allowing distributed objects to communicate over heterogeneous networks. In studying each of the middleware standards, a formal way of comparing CORBA and DCOM is presented, namely meta-modelling. For each of these two distributed object infrastructures (middleware), meta-models are constructed. Based on this uniform and unbiased approach, a comparison of the two distributed object infrastructures is then performed. The results are given as a set of tables in which the differences and similarities of each distributed object infrastructure are exhibited. By adopting this approach, errors caused by misunderstanding or misinterpretation are minimised. Consequently, an accurate and unbiased comparison between CORBA and DCOM is made possible, which constitutes the main aim of this dissertation.ComputingM. Sc. (Computer Science

An industrial engineering perspective of business intelligence

In this thesis the candidate explores the apparent gaps between strategy development and strategy implementation (the strategy alignment question), and between business end-user needs and the suppliers of information technology (IT) related products and services. With business intelligence (BI) emerging as one of the fastest growing fields in IT, the candidate develops a conceptual model in which BI is placed into context with other relevant subjects such as strategy development, enterprise architecture and modelling and performance measurement. The emphasis is on the development of processes and templates that support a closed loop control system with the following process steps: - A business strategy is defined. - The implication of the strategy on business processes, supporting IT resources and organizational structure is formally documented according to enterprise architecture principles. - This documented blueprint of the organization helps to implement the selected business strategy. - A performance measurement system is developed and supported by a well-designed data warehouse. - On a regular basis the measurements that were defined to support the implementation of the strategy, together with information from the external environment are interpreted and this analysis leads to either a new strategy, or refinement of the implementation of the existing strategy. Both options may lead to changes in the enterprise architecture, the execution of business processes and/or the performance measurement system. Some of the individual components of the model are supported by existing theories, for example the Zachman Framework for enterprise architecture and the Balanced Scorecard from Kaplan and Norton. The contribution of the author was to position them in the bigger picture to indicate how they can add value with regard to the establishment of business intelligence in organizations. Instead of packaging existing ideas slightly differently under a new name, the author intentionally searched for existing theories to fulfil certain requirements in the Bigger Picture BI Context Model. Apart from a set of templates that were adapted from various other sources and packaged into practical formats that can be used during facilitation sessions, the author has also developed and described the Fourier Model and the Pots of Money Model. The Fourier Model is a powerful conceptual model that helps a business to package solutions for market related requirements through selections of previously defined building blocks (technical components) that can be delivered through various business entities, depending on the requirements of the opportunity. The Pots of Money Model is a quantitative model embedded in a spreadsheet format to illustrate and communicate the effect of spending decisions in one area of the business on other areas. The candidate demonstrates the Bigger Picture BI Context Model in several case studies. The thesis is accompanied by a CD ROM, which contains over 700 references to relevant literature (most of them available in full text) and links to internet web sites, as well as examples of the software templates that support some of the steps in the context model. The following figure depicts the conceptual model in schematic format: (See figure in the abstract of 00front)Thesis (PhD (Industrial Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2006.Industrial and Systems Engineeringunrestricte

Using a new supply chain planning methodology to improve supply chain efficiency

Effective supply chain planning and management has emerged as one of the most challenging opportunities for companies in the global economy during the last decade or two. This article reviews the evolution of Supply Chain Management and the traditional Supply Chain Solutions. It then introduces a new Supply Chain Planning methodology in which simulation modelling plays an important value-adding role to help organisations understand the dynamics of their Supply Chains.Effektiewe voorsieningskettingbeplanning en –bestuur het gedurende die laaste twee dekades ontwikkel tot een van die mees uitdagende geleenthede vir ondernemings in die wêreldekonomie. Hierdie artikel hersien kortliks die ontwikkeling van voorsieningskettingbestuur en die tradisionele oplossings. ‘n Nuwe voorsieningskettingbeplanningsmetodologie word dan voorgestel en bespreek waarin simulasiemodellering ‘n belangrike rol speel om ondernemings te help om die dinamika van hul voorsieningskettings te begryp.http://sajie.journals.ac.z

A model to optimize payloads at PFG Building Glass

While improving customer service by allowing user definable mixed load orders of their plate glass product, PFG Building Glass was confronted with a problem of calculating the feasibility and optimum load layout for transporting the glass, without transgressing the regulatory requirements. In this article the development of an integrated solution is discussed, including the definition of a mathematical model that calculates the axle weights, the optimization model based on linear programming, as well as the user interface for their current information system. The solution enables the company to proceed with e-commerce service to clients, since the system can evaluate the transport feasibility and give real time feedback to clients.Die uitbreiding van kliëntediens by PFG Building Glass om bestellings van gemengde glasplaatprodukte per vrag te aanvaar, het die onderneming voor ‘n uitdaging geplaas om te bereken of sulke bestellings binne die wetlike regulasie vervoer sal kan word. Hierdie artikel bespreek die ontwikkeling van ‘n geïntegreede oplossing wat bestaan uit ‘n wiskundige model wat die gewig per as bereken, ‘n optimiseringsmodel wat die vraguitleg bepaal en op liniêre programmeringsbeginsels gebaseer is, sowel as die gebruikersintervlak met die onderneming se bestaande inligtingstelsel. Hierdie ontwikkeling stel die onderneming instaat om ‘n e-besigheidsdiens vir kliente daar te stel, aangesien terugvoer oor die uitvoerbaarheid van ‘n bestelling uit ‘n vervoeroogpunt intyds aan die kliënt gekommunikeer kan word.http://sajie.journals.ac.z

Gebruik van simulasie as deel van 'n besluitnemingsondersteuningshulpmiddel vir ondergrondse steenkoolmynbou

'n Ondergrondse steenkooImyn is vandag grootliks gemeganiseerd. Eenvan die mynboumetodes is pilaarontwikkeling wat die aanwending van duur hulpbronne soos delwers, wisselkarre, dakbouters,voerderbrekers en vervoerbande tot gevolg het. Tans word besluite in verband met skedulering en hulpbronkapasiteite gebaseer op die ondervinding van die myner, sytoesighouer en die bestuurder. Hierdie artikel stel 'n nuwe benadering voor, wat gebruik maak van simulasie met 'n vriendelike gebruikersintervlak, om verskillende scenarios teen mekaar op te weeg.An underground coal mine is almost totally mechanised today. One of the methods of extraction is pillar development with expensive resources that include continuous miners, shuttle cars, roof bolters, feeder breakers, and conveyor belts. Currently the only mechanism to support decision making, regarding scheduling and resource capacities, is the experience of the miner, the shift boss and the manager. This article presents a new approach where a simulation model, linked to a userfriendly interface, is used to evaluate different scenarios.http://sajie.journals.ac.z

Realising the vision of Integrated Reporting: A critical viewpoint

The purpose of this paper is firstly to determine whether the International Integrated Reporting (IR) Framework is sufficiently robust to act as the guide for the IR movement. The secondary purpose is to speculate on the constraints that IR will face on its journey towards achieving the aims and vision of the IIRC (International Integrated Reporting Council). The paper is written in the form of a critical viewpoint, and will engage with the relevant academic literature and industry-led initiatives to achieve its objectives. The main finding of this paper is that the potential of the International Framework towards achieving its objectives lies more with the way it is applied than the way it was written. Academic literature does however highlight a number of potential constraints that will have to be overcome if integrated reporting is to achieve its long-term vision of financial stability and sustainability

Implementation drivers for BPR at Siemens Telecommunications

With the embracing of new management philosophies or redesigned processes, it is becoming a popular opinion that often the practical problem lies with the implementation of the new concept, rather than with the concept itself. By focussing on certain generic critical actions, chances of successful implementation increases for any new philosophy or re-engineered process. This article discusses such critical success actions, or implementation drivers as experience in a BPR project at Siemens Telecommunications.'n Gewilde siening ten opsigte van die bekendstelling van nuwe bestuursfilosofiee, of implementering van herontwerpde prosesse, is dat die probleem gewoonlik Ie by die implementering daarvan, eerder as by die beginsels van die bestuursfilosofie wat geimplementeer word . Deur op generies kritieke faktore te konsentreer, kan die kanse op suksesvolle implementering van bykans enige bestuursfilosofie of herontwerpde proses verbeter word. Hierdie artikel bespreek sulke kritieke sukses aksies, of implementeringsdrywers, aan die hand van 'n gevallestudie soos ervaar in 'n BPR projek by Siemens Telecommunications.http://sajie.journals.ac.z

Improving Grassland Quality in Communal Arable Lands in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Overgrazing and shifting cultivation practise have severely degraded communal lands in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Methods need to be developed to improve forage quality of grazing land, especially previously cultivated lands. The aim of the study was to investigate legume species to rehabilitate arable lands abandoned from cropping, to enhance their forage quality, productivity and ecological integrity. The study was conducted in seven communities within the Eastern Cape Province. This study showed that within the communal lands studied extensive areas have been cultivated and the majority of this land is now poorly utilised. Natural grasslands ploughed for cropping did not recover its original composition and therefore lost its primary ecological condition. New improved legume cultivars can significantly enhance forage quality on cultivated lands but individual species may not have the resilience to survive nutrient poor lands and variable winter rainfall. This study shows that using a mixture of annual and perennial legume species with different life traits contributed to enhanced forage quality, especially during winter when the nutritional value of grasses was low. Because of management constraints, pasture legumes cannot be seen as stand-alone pastures, but provide a mechanism to extend the forage potential of communal grazing lands

To what extent does body height affect the use and satisfaction of electrically-assisted bicycles for postal purpose?

To investigate to what extent body height affects the use and satisfaction of electrically-assisted bicycles (EB) among postal workers, 1115 EB users filled in a questionnaire and 28 postal workers were observed during their distribution round. We aimed to provide a framework to estimate the possible effects of providing multiple frame sizes to postal workers. Although the body height of postal workers affected how they reached for mail and delivered it, it hardly affected their satisfaction with the current EB. Accessibility of the front carrier seemed to be the main issue that could be coped with by providing different frames. Ironically, postal workers for whom the front carrier was most accessible (tallest group) reported the highest physical load. The relevance of these results with respect to the availability of multiple frame sizes and other changes to the EB that might be beneficial from an ergonomic point of view is discussed

The loss optimisation of loan recovery decision times using forecast cash flows

A theoretical method is empirically illustrated in finding the best time to forsake a loan such that the overall credit loss is minimised. This is predicated by forecasting the future cash flows of a loan portfolio up to the contractual term, as a remedy to the inherent right-censoring of real-world ‘incomplete’ portfolios. Two techniques, a simple probabilistic model as well as an eight-state Markov chain, are used to forecast these cash flows independently. We train both techniques from different segments within residential mortgage data, provided by a large South African bank, as part of a comparative experimental framework. As a result, the recovery decision’s implied timing is empirically illustrated as a multi-period optimisation problem across uncertain cash flows and competing costs. Using a delinquency measure as a central criterion, our procedure helps to find a loss-optimal threshold at which loan recovery should ideally occur for a given portfolio. Furthermore, both the portfolio’s historical risk profile and forecasting thereof are shown to influence the timing of the recovery decision. This work can therefore facilitate the revision of relevant bank policies or strategies towards optimising the loan collections process, especially that of secured lending.The Absa Chair in Actuarial Science, hosted at the University of Pretoria.https://www.risk.net/journal-of-credit-riskam2023Electrical, Electronic and Computer EngineeringInsurance and Actuarial Scienc