Large scale probabilistic available bandwidth estimation

The common utilization-based definition of available bandwidth and many of the existing tools to estimate it suffer from several important weaknesses: i) most tools report a point estimate of average available bandwidth over a measurement interval and do not provide a confidence interval; ii) the commonly adopted models used to relate the available bandwidth metric to the measured data are invalid in almost all practical scenarios; iii) existing tools do not scale well and are not suited to the task of multi-path estimation in large-scale networks; iv) almost all tools use ad-hoc techniques to address measurement noise; and v) tools do not provide enough flexibility in terms of accuracy, overhead, latency and reliability to adapt to the requirements of various applications. In this paper we propose a new definition for available bandwidth and a novel framework that addresses these issues. We define probabilistic available bandwidth (PAB) as the largest input rate at which we can send a traffic flow along a path while achieving, with specified probability, an output rate that is almost as large as the input rate. PAB is expressed directly in terms of the measurable output rate and includes adjustable parameters that allow the user to adapt to different application requirements. Our probabilistic framework to estimate network-wide probabilistic available bandwidth is based on packet trains, Bayesian inference, factor graphs and active sampling. We deploy our tool on the PlanetLab network and our results show that we can obtain accurate estimates with a much smaller measurement overhead compared to existing approaches.Comment: Submitted to Computer Network

Multi-path Probabilistic Available Bandwidth Estimation through Bayesian Active Learning

Knowing the largest rate at which data can be sent on an end-to-end path such that the egress rate is equal to the ingress rate with high probability can be very practical when choosing transmission rates in video streaming or selecting peers in peer-to-peer applications. We introduce probabilistic available bandwidth, which is defined in terms of ingress rates and egress rates of traffic on a path, rather than in terms of capacity and utilization of the constituent links of the path like the standard available bandwidth metric. In this paper, we describe a distributed algorithm, based on a probabilistic graphical model and Bayesian active learning, for simultaneously estimating the probabilistic available bandwidth of multiple paths through a network. Our procedure exploits the fact that each packet train provides information not only about the path it traverses, but also about any path that shares a link with the monitored path. Simulations and PlanetLab experiments indicate that this process can dramatically reduce the number of probes required to generate accurate estimates

The Effect of Information Systems on the Quality and Cost of Healthcare Processes: A Longitudinal Study of US Hospitals

Our study focuses on the adoption and use of hospital information systems and their impact on the quality and cost associated with delivery of patient care. Archival data on hospital IT usage obtained from the Dorenfest Institute is combined with archival data on the quality of hospital care processes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a three-year longitudinal study of a balanced panel data set consisting of 2,848 U.S. hospitals. Our analyses extends earlier research on the association between healthcare IT usage and efficiency improvements in healthcare organizations that have primarily focused on outcomes associated with operating cost reduction. Preliminary results from our study indicate a positive impact of clinical information systems, patient scheduling applications, and human resource management information systems on the quality of health care processes. However, quality increase comes at a cost as clinical systems usage and patient scheduling system usage increase hospital operating expenses

Extended Enterprise Applications and Sustained Competitive Advantage

In this study we extend the resource-based view of the firm to include inter-organizational complementary resources. We use web services as an example of a technology that extends firm resources beyond organizational boundaries. The modular design of web services enables the integration of monolithic applications within and across enterprises, creating the vision of an extended enterprise that is more adaptable and responsive to market changes. As the technology continues to mature, web services will create a dynamic capability that will sustain organizational competitive advantage

Student Attitudes toward Information Systems Graduate Program Design and Delivery

This study examines student preferences regarding graduate management information systems (MIS) education. One hundred and eighty four graduate students responded to a survey exploring student attitudes towards degree program content, delivery format, and peer group interaction. Study results indicate that students prefer a program with an even mix of business and technical coursework taught by full-time faculty featuring frequent guest lectures by industry professionals. The most often cited business courses that should be required include quantitative business analysis, operations management, strategy, and leadership, and the most often identified management information systems courses that should be required were internships, business intelligence, data warehousing, management information systems fundamentals, and information technology project management. The study also explored how students with and without prior work experience differed in their preferences, which will help administrators and faculty with insights and tools to design more effective programs of study

MSIS 2016: a comprehensive update of graduate level curriculum recommendation in Information Systems

The process to revise MSIS 2006, the master's level curriculum recommendation for Information Systems, is getting close to completion. In spring and summer 2016, the joint AIS/ACM task force will continue the process of soliciting comments from various stakeholders, including the academic IS community and employers. The purpose of the AMCIS panel is to give the audience an update of the status of the MSIS 2016 revision process and provide the task force with feedback regarding the draft document. A significant portion of the session will be reserved for conversation. The task force is proposing significant changes to the curriculum content and structure, including the new curriculum's focus on specifying desired graduate competencies instead of articulating courses or knowledge areas/units. Some of the changes are a reflection of the changes in the process used to revise the curriculum: MSIS 2016 will be a result of a truly global process.The MSIS 2016 task force thanks all members of the IS community and other stakeholders of the project for all the invaluable feedback and comments we have received throughout the process.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Current MSIS students' views on program outcomes

This paper reports the results of a pilot survey sent to current specialized master's students in Information Systems at several universities around the world. The survey was developed to support the MSIS revision process, but the results will also provide insights on the perceptions of current IS master's students regarding their current degree program. The results suggest that the respondents valued individual foundational skills and high-level business competences more than technical or lower-level managerial competences. The study utilized competence specifications from the European e-CF 3.0 model, which was useful and performed well as a competence framework.(undefined)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Master’s degree programs in information systems: a global view

In this paper, we present an analysis of 254 master's degree programs in Information Systems, offered by 229 universities in 32 countries. The entry requirements usually include a Bachelor's degree in IS or a related subject. In some countries such as USA any kind of Bachelor's degree is acceptable. In a few countries significant relevant work experience can replace or supplement the BSc. The duration of the degrees varies between one to two years, with the student workload between 1350-3200 hours. If we take into consideration the differences in entering the program (from none to four years of IS studies), the gap grows considerably. Most programs require course work in both computing and a domain of practice (such as business), but some have no requirements related to the domain of practice and still others have only modest computing requirements. Degrees with a professional orientation emphasize industry projects and internships, while in several countries a thesis is an essential part of the degree thereby preparing for further studies. A thesis also trains for reading and writing academic papers, thus enabling graduates to tap into current research in their daily work. The variation amongst programs presents a concern for the image of IS as a profession and a challenge for recruiters. The results are discussed in the context of an ongoing project to revise the graduate level model curriculum in Information Systems, with a particular emphasis on the IS profession.(undefined)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Revising the MSIS 2016 model curriculum: status update and panel discussion

This panel discussion will provide an update of the ongoing work to revise the ACM/AIS graduate level curriculum recommendation for Information Systems (MSIS). The panel will consist of the members of the task force, who will report on a) changes in the direction of the task force's work since summer 2015 position paper; b) results of the fall 2015 data collection; and c) key decisions regarding the curriculum architecture made by the time of the panel. A major part of the panel will be reserved for open discussion and participant feedback, which will directly impact the work of the task force.(undefined)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio