Showing papers on "Enterprise software published in 1994"

A generic enterprise resource ontology

Abstract: The complexity of planning and scheduling is determined by the degree to which activities contend for resources. Accordingly this requires any application to have the ability to reason about the nature of the resource and its availability. This paper presents a generic enterprise resource ontology. The ontology described in this paper is one of many that is being created by the TOVE project in the Enterprise Integration Laboratory at the University of Toronto. >

The Extended Manufacturing Enterprise Paradigm

Abstract: Models able to describe state of the art practice are fundamental to understanding the manufacturing phenomenon. A study of innovative current practices enables us to foresee the emergence of a new manufacturing paradigm: the Extended Enterprise. This arises from the need to satisfy customers who are increasingly demanding tailored products with world class capability in every functional aspect. The Extended Enterprise is made both possible and viable by the progress made in manufacturing processes and information technology. It demands the development of a new management philosophy and particularly new organizational structures. Presents a reference model for the Extended Enterprise, and compares the characteristics of this paradigm against the Mass and Lean manufacturing philosophies. Describes the results of a study that analyses the development of co‐operation mechanisms in the aerospace industry.

An architecture for the virtual enterprise

Abstract: This paper presents an architecture for the virtual enterprise based upon an object oriented business process modeling approach. The paper proposes that business processes naturally fall into three categories: 1) processes transform external constraints into an internal constraint structure that might be expressed at a system of objectives, policies, and procedures; 2) processes acquire and make ready resources used by the enterprise; and 3) processes (design, marketing, manufacturing, distribution) transform the family of inputs into the desired enterprise results or outputs (i.e. products). The business processes are in turn organized into an enterprise. The paper suggests that the virtual enterprise consists of a set of business processes from category (1) which are collectively owned by the virtual enterprise and a set of business processes from all three categories (1,2,3) which are owned by two or more individual enterprises, but used by both the individual enterprise and the agile or virtual enterprise. The agile enterprise temporarily disturbs but does not consume the individual enterprise. >

A cost ontology for enterprise modelling

Abstract: There is an urgent need to formalize activity-based costing (ABC) for the purposes of implementation and usage in enterprises so that enterprises have access to the critical element of global success, viz. strategic management accounting. To make this possible, the authors present a core cost ontology and micro-theory of costing for enterprise modelling that spans the knowledge representation of activity, status of activity, time, causality, and resources. This ensures that ABC may be generically deployed in any enterprise to achieve effective activity-based cost management, irrespective of the enterprise belonging to the manufacturing or service sectors. >

Internet: a strategic tool for the software enterprise

Abstract: Thl, articlr mark\\ the begming of n new Commw~ro~~onr column rhat will f&us “n the exploration and discussi”n of currrnt issues, trends, and best practicrs within the software enterprise. The term software enterprise refers to all aspects of a software “rgani~ation-including R&D, s&s and marketing, product maintenance and support, business planning, managmmt, and LO forth. This column will have a distinctly industrial flair, with a primal-y emphasis on the c”“cer”s of the COnlmerCial sotiwarc enterprise. Karher than c”ncentratr “11 programming and implementation issues, this c”lumn will look more broadly at issues facing the software enterprise at large from a practical, industrial perspective. Of all the topics we could cover I” this initial column, nothing seemed m”rr timely than a discussion of the Internet and the opportunities and challenges it presents t” the software e,Xel-prlSe.

Software requirements acquisition through enterprise modelling.

Abstract: Enterprise Modelling technology prescribes systematic use and computer aided documentation of knowledge about enterprises, their objectives, activities, concepts, and actors. The basis of this technology is the Enterprise Model, assumed to be developed by users and requirements engineers during the requirements acquisition process. The Enterprise Model consists of several submodels, that have user-oriented meta-knowledge structures for communication with human sources of information. The Enterprise Model maintains relationships between information system requirements and other relevant, sometimes intentional, knowledge, acquired about the application domain. The main objective of this technology is to obtain a better alignment between the business activities and the supporting information system. The technology presented here is also applicable in the area of business process reengineering.

Capturing information systems requirements through enterprise and speech act modelling

Abstract: Enterprise modelling is a technique for capturing and validating information systems requirements. The validity depends on how well the requirements reflect the real needs of the enterprise and how well they are understood by both requirements holder and requirements engineer. In the F3 project1, enterprise models are designed for modelling goals, activities, concepts and actors and linking them to information system requirements.

Enterprise Integration: A Tool’s perspective

Abstract: The advent of sophisticated automation equipment and computer hardware and software is changing the way manufacturing is carried out. To compete in the global marketplace, manufacturing companies must integrate these new technologies into their factories. In addition, they must integrate the planning, control, and data management methodologies needed to make effective use of these technologies. This paper provides an overview of recent approaches to achieving this enterprise integration. It then describes, using simulation as a particular example, a new tool’s perspective of enterprise integration.

Introduction to Information Systems: An End User - Enterprise Perspective, Alternate

Abstract: Part 1 Introduction: introduction to information systems in business. Part 2 Technology: introduction to computer hardware introduction to computer software introduction to database management. Part 3 Networking the enterprise: introduction to business telecommunications the Internet and electronic commerce intranets, extranets and electronic collaboration. Part 4 Applications: information systems for business operations information systems for managerial decision support information systems for strategic advantage. Part 5 Development and management: developing business solutions with information technology enterprise and global management of information technology security and ethical challenges of information technology.

Compromise and cheating in small enterprise development

Abstract: When small enterprise practitioners 'help out' their client businesses by supplying their own labour and project resources free of charge, are they in reality compromising the self-help principle? In a thought-provoking article, the author points to ways in which small enterprise practitioners gloss over the hidden flaws in their projects, and delude themselves about the long-term impact of their work. He forecasts a bleak outlook for the small enterprise development field unless advisers can learn from real businesses. We would welcome comments and responses to the questions raised in this article.

Communication, Information, and Transnational Enterprise

Abstract: International communications have always been the subject of government intervention. Technology, economics, and politics have been interwoven in the competition between the major industrial powers to control both the physical means of communication and the information flows through those physical links. The value of information in reducing the unpredictable is enhanced by speed, which in turn allows greater centralization and control. Each new technology, which allows information to be passed at greater speeds from one part of the country to another or from one country to another, enhances the power of those who collect and control that information. As one American government official said in 1977, “Trade doesn’t follow the flag any more it follows the communication system” (US Foreign Relations Subcommittee, 1977, p. 12). And almost ten years later another such official stated “We know that the manipulation and control of information is among the greatest weapons of conquest in the modern world. We know above all that information is power, more valuable than oil and more precious than gold” (Dougan, 1985, p. 55). For these reasons, traditionally, governments have been among the major users, providers, and controllers of information as well as controllers of the networks on which information transfer rests.

Enterprise Database in a Client-Server Environment

Abstract: From the Publisher: Today, databases are deployed in distributed, heterogeneous hardware and systems software environments. Hardware platforms, systems software, and database management systems are multivendor and multitiered with different architectures including mainframes, personal computers, servers, and workstations. The challenge is to ensure non-redundant, consistent, reliable, integrated, and usable data, processes, and information systems across the enterprise. Here the author presents the techniques necessary to implement an enterprise database - a network of data bases across different computing platforms. He explains how to define the enterprise data model, presents the principles and methodology necessary to define the database project environment, and explains the enterprise database projects that guarantee the success of your database project. He concludes with a summary of the entire database effort.

Enterprise simulation: structure and control loops

Abstract: International competitive pressures and increasingly complex regulations leave little room for decision errors in manufacturing enterprises. The general availability of powerful computers can be the foundation of a new generation of decision support systems based on concepts from general systems and control theory. We report on our attempt to develop an enterprise simulation technology for decision support and long term operations optimisation. We defined the comprehensive quality function as a global cost function for enterprise optimisation. To implement such an optimisation in practice requires an enterprise model. We look at possible ways to identify, automatically, the true hierarchical structure of an enterprise and the control loops in operation. For our modelling we use data from a real enterprise. >

Software Auditing Means Better Business

Abstract: If a company′s software is seized because it has not been legitimately acquired, that company′s business records including business planning, financial records and new business opportunities – go with it. Describes how the Business Software Association of Australia (BSAA) is educating the market in better software practices and prosecuting wilful violations of copyright, and of CheckMARK Technologies in providing a software auditing service.