Building Reference Architectures for the Industrial IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) comprises many emerging technologies that enable wireless interconnections among “things” (usually objects such as personal devices, appliances, cars, or industrial equipment, but also living things such as animals and people) equipped with data-gathering sensors. Early predictions indicate that the number of IoT devices could reach 26 billion worldwide by 2020 (Lee and Lee, 2015), but this estimate is likely to increase as more companies are jumping on the IoT bandwagon. One of the greatest predicted impacts of IoT is in industrial settings – where it will help transform entire industries by creating new opportunities for companies to manage their internal processes and interact with customers (Iansiti and Lakhani, 2014). These industrial IoT technologies and applications are denoted by the term Industry 4.0. Accenture predicts that collecting data from sensors placed on products, equipment, and even users, and using this data to improve processes inside and outside organizations “can add trillions of dollars to the global economy by 2030.” (Purdy and Davarzan, 2015). As IoT technologies proliferate, it will become increasingly important for companies to understand the existing opportunities for Industry 4.0 and effectively adopt and deploy the technologies both internally and in inter-organizational relationships. Architectures are models that can help guide companies in their Industrial IoT journey. For example, understanding the layered architecture of digital technologies can help companies innovate by developing appropriate digital product platforms (Yoo et al., 2010). Companies can use architectural frameworks to make sense of strategic recommendations emerging from current research studies – such as the need to build adequate operational and digital services infrastructures to support a company’s digital strategy (Ross et al., 2016). Architectures can be built at the company level, such as in the case of enterprise architectures (EA) that describe a company’s “business and operating model, organizational structure, business processes, data, applications and technology” (Ahlemann et al., 2012), or at the industry level, such as in the case of reference architectures (RA) that present a high-level, organizing view for an industry, including its processes, stakeholders, organizational, informational and technology structure (Czarnecki and Dietze, 2017). EAs and especially RAs are essential for developing interconnected business platforms that enable companies and their customers, vendors and business partners to orchestrate the delivery of internal and external services in effective and efficient ways (Stettiner and Fienhold, 2012). At present, the work on Industrial IoT architectures is just starting, and few models exist. In this paper, we report on our experience working with academic and industry partners to select architectural frameworks and build reference architectures for several industries. We also discuss the challenges for the adoption and use of Industrial IoT reference architectures

Overcoming Communication Barriers for CMC in Enterprises

The importance of electronic media (especially CMC) for intra-organisational communication and for the transfer of information within multi-national corporations will be illustrated. In addition, a number of different barriers to communication which can emerge in the context of information-based industry will be discussed. A further component of this paper will comprise of an approach to the identification, description and classification of barriers to Computer Mediated Communication in Business

Enterprise systems ecosystem: A case study based comparison of software companies

Enterprise System (ES) providers may create an ecosystem around their solution permitting other software companies to develop and distribute software that enhances, extends or modifies enterprise systems. This contribution takes a closer look at the business model of companies that are part of an ecosystem through various comparative case studies. Companies have been evaluated according to their business model and success in two steps: a standardized survey and in-depth interviews. Based on the results a model was derived that visualizes the fact that companies success is related to their consulting intensity, volume of sold licenses and degree of standardization of the software they provide. From this fact a classification model has been created and introduced, which can also be applied to evaluating business models and success of companies that are not members of an ES ecosystem

Demand-oriented Competency Development in a Manufacturing Context: The Relevance of Process and Knowledge Modeling

Competency management is a crucial success factor for organizations in the area of tension between knowledge management, human resource management, and process management, and has to be considered from a knowledge economy perspective. A basis for developing appropriate qualification measures in organizations is the comparison of necessary and available competencies. Given the time and cost intensity of the comparison process, the use of appropriate methods is of particular relevance for enterprises. This paper presents a procedural method and a software tool which enable resource-saving comparisons. Usually, employees’ “to competencies” are determined on a strategic level. Currently available “is competencies” can be derived from the actual knowledge transfer or from existing competence profiles. The method and tool first allow for the appropriate visualization of both competencies. After an automatized comparison of both contents, an overview of given and missing “to competencies” will be provided. Not available competencies can be addressed as qualification requirements and reflections regarding staffing or task allocation can be conducted

Real World Awareness (RWA) Systems: A Pharmaceutical Industry Application

In this paper, we describe the evaluation of a real-world awareness (RWA) prototype designed to help managers perform environmental scanning in the pharmaceutical industry. RWA in the pharmaceutical industry consists of not only the tracking and tracing of drugs but also of pattern recognition for relevant events – both internal and external to the company - which can affect a company’s drug research and development plans, marketing effectiveness, and ultimately its profitability. Based on interview insights from a German pharmaceutical company, we identify several objects of perception relevant to real-time identification and advanced anticipation of events. Our study provides a first glimpse into the potential of RWA for companies in the pharmaceutical industry, and generates insights for design of future RWA systems

Healthcare RFID In Germany: An Integrated Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Perspective

Today’s healthcare environments are characterized by a variety of products, services, and associated data and information that are transferred across many healthcare sector participants. Pharmaceutical supply chains in particular are one example of fragmented information flows among supply chain participants. Pharmaceutical supply chain processes have a crucial influence on medication quality and ultimate patient outcomes. When manufacturing problems arise, temperature control cannot be maintained throughout the supply chain, counterfeit medications enter the supply chain, containers are damaged or sensitive medication is improperly transported and stored, the drugs’ effectiveness can be affected and this can result in serious consequences, including patient sickens or even death. In this paper, we analyze Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID), a technology that can improve communication of data and information, reduce counterfeiting, and enable monitoring of drug quality in pharmaceutical supply chains. The study is conducted in the context of an RFID platform implemented in Germany. The paper extends and complements previous studies by analyzing the RFID implementation and business value in an end-to-end supply chain process across multiple stakeholders in the pharmaceutical supply chain, from the manufacturer via the wholesaler to pharmacies and hospitals. The results confirm that RFID benefits are realized when supply chain processes are changed with the help of technology, but that different supply chain participants have different benefit realization perceptions. The analysis further reveals specific types of process changes for each supply chain participant and their corresponding benefits

Integrate Enterprise Systems to our Hyperconnected World: Anything, Anywhere, Anytime through architectural design

The architectures of currently sold Enterprise Systems were developed in a time when the amount of data to be processed was limited. Since then the necessity to capture and process real-time data from multiple sources has surged and needs to be considered in a world where everything must be exchanged and available anywhere, anytime and in any format. Yet the abstinence of novel approaches on the architectures of Enterprise Systems creates a gap between the increasing requirements and existing information systems. In this paper, we suggest a new architectural design approach, which will close the gap between increasing requirements and existing information systems. In order to determine a future-proof architecture, the authors conducted a Delphi survey where technology providers and users were inquired on the business needs and technical requirements. The result of the Delphi survey has been used to create a proposal for a different approach towards ES architectures

An Approach to Satisfy Managerial Awareness of Strategic Events in the Field of M-Commerce

Continued success in business relies on the capability to notice changes in the market before others and to access expert experience and knowledge that has been built over many years. Today the increased usage of mobile commerce (M-commerce) in business produces opportunities to access these changes and information anywhere, anytime, and any place. The opportunities that arise from M-Commerce not only support increased engagement through multiple channels, but enable the development of a thriving market sector which is shifting how businesses make strategic decisions. The present study introduces a new approach to create managerial awareness of strategic events in the field of mobile commerce. Specifically, a new method including a tool is presented and validated using expert interviews