Showing papers on "Enterprise systems engineering published in 2001"

Enterprise Resource Planning Systems Research: An Annotated Bibliography

Abstract: Despite growing interest, publications on ERP systems within the academic Information Systems community, as reflected by contributions to journals and international conferences, is only now emerging. This article provides an annotated bibliography of the ERP publications published in the main Information Systems journals and conferences and reviews the state of the ERP art. The publications surveyed are categorized through a framework that is structured in phases that correspond to the different stages of an ERP system lifecycle within an organization. We also present topics for further research in each phase. .

Response Ability: The Language, Structure, and Culture of the Agile Enterprise

Abstract: AGILITY, RESPONSE ABILITY, AND CULTURE. Putting Agility in Its Place. Change-Enabling Structure and Culture. CHANGE PROFICIENCY: THE LANGUAGE OF AGILE ENTERPRISE. Frameworks for Change Proficiency. Response Situation Analysis. ADAPTABLE STRUCTURE: THE ENABLER OF AGILE ENTERPRISE. Enabling Response Ability. Response-Able Enterprise Systems. Systematic Design of Response-Able Systems. Intuitive Design of Response-Able Systems. KNOWLEDGE AND CULTURE: THE WAY OF THE AGILE ENTERPRISE. Waking Up the Enterprise. Becoming and Managing the Response-Able Enterprise. References. Index.

Anatomy of enterprise collaborations

Abstract: The primary function of any enterprise is to sell its products and/or skills profitably. This aim, compounded by the economic necessity, is often achieved by collaborating with other enterprises. Therefore, manufacturing systems can no longer be seen in isolation; they must be seen in the context of the total business and the associated key linkages of the business: back through the supplier chain and forward into the distribution and customer chain. In reality these chains often take the forms of enterprise networks. There can be almost infinite variations to the range and scope of collaborations within an enterprise network. This paper discusses some recent developments in the nature of bilateral enterprise collaborations and the resulting emergence of new manufacturing paradigms. It attempts to identify the key types of collaborations (supply chain, extended enterprise and virtual enterprise) and analyses their essential attributes and operational characteristics.

The Intelligent Enterprise

Abstract: This is the title of this book. Of course, as a corporate body, a “company” cannot be intelligent. Intelligent enterprises are managed by intelligent people. The definition of intelligence, according to Webster’s Third New International Dictionary is: …to use one sexisting knowledge to meet new situations and to solve newproblems, to learn, solve new problems, to …create new relationships, to think abstractly; ability to perceive one senvironment, to deal with it …tjJectively, to atfjust to it, to work towarda goal : the degree of one salertness, awareness, or acuity.

System of Systems (SoS) enterprise systems engineering for information‐intensive organizations

Abstract: This article describes the emerging roles of the systems engineering (SE) function in supporting enterprise management in information-intensive organizations. “Enterprise Systems Engineering” (ESE) comprises three major roles or “levels” of systems engineering for successful and efficient development or procurement of large complex systems of systems (SoS). While the authors' experience focuses predominantly on government organizations acting as their own SoS integrators, the SoS ESE concept has generic applicability for any organization, public or private, seeking to attain competitive advantage through leveraging of information technology resources and systems. The processes and tools described here have been developed and successfully employed to facilitate government project management and investment decisions and control. [Carlock and Decker, 1998] This paper describes a formal three-level SoS ESE process that, at the top level, organizes and maintains all of the details of the enterprise-wide SoS architecture and strategic development plan in a flexible framework that accommodates the changes expected over a long SoS evolution. The information maintained in this framework allows the organization to know where it is going, how and when it is going to get there, the required capabilities and interfaces of each SoS component, and the impact of changes to system requirements, budgets, schedules, etc., on the overall SoS. The middle level processes allow the organization to perform trade studies among alternative solutions to implement required capabilities based on what is best for the enterprise-wide SoS rather than just local considerations. The end result of the middle level processes is a selected and approved solution and its associated cost, schedule, benefits, and technical baselines. The third level processes implement the approved solutions in accordance with the approved baselines. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Syst Eng 4: 242–261, 2001

Framework, architecture, method and system for reducing latency of business operations of an enterprise

Abstract: A framework, architecture, system and method are provided for reducing business transaction latencies thereby enabling an enterprise to run as a zero latency enterprise (ZLE). The present invention enables the enterprise to integrate its services, applications and data in real time. An enterprise running as a ZLE has a uniform global view of its past and current business transactions, including its customer interactions, internal business operations, supply chain management and more; and this uniform global view can be obtained from anywhere across the enterprise and be used for real-time decision making. Namely, an enterprise equipped to run as ZLE is capable of integrating, in real time, its enterprise-wide data, applications, business transactions, operations and values. Consequently, an enterprise conducting its business as a ZLE exhibits superior management of its resources, operations and customer care.

Typological issues in enterprise networks

Abstract: In modern manufacturing, a single enterprise does not often possess a complete set of resources and skills to offer competitive solutions. Therefore, such enterprises become part of enterprise networks of independent core competencies in order to produce marketable products. In an enterprise network, even smaller enterprises, provided they have unique core competencies that are important to the enterprise network, can have a clout that is larger than if they operated alone. Within an enterprise network, the attributes of a small, flexible and independent partner will augment to that of the network as a whole. Based on the political, economic as well as technological developments of recent years, almost no restrictions are left limiting the range and scope of so-called enterprise networks. Today infinite variations of enterprise networks have been set up. However, there is too little systematic knowledge about the behaviour, the structure, the lifecycle, etc. of enterprise networks of integrated, multidepe...

Small enterprises as complex adaptive systems: a methodological question?

Abstract: Complexity science constitutes an emerging post-positivist interdisciplinary field of investigation of dynamical systems in the natural and physical worlds. The central concept of complexity is that interactions between parts of open systems create novel, unpredictable patterns, and that while the history of the system is relevant in understanding its dynamic, the isolation of individual parts of the system (analysis) does not reveal the casual mechanisms in the system. It is suggested that complexity science can inform our methodologies for investigating the social sciences. The paper explores whether complexity science offers ways of theory building that can take account of pluralistic or interdisciplinary research in enterprise dynamics. The authors offer a model of six theorized ontological layers, derived from the canon of research literature within a small enterprise domain, with boundaries at each end. It is suggested that dynamical concepts of agency (adaption, evolution, fitness, interdependence)...

Enterprise resource planning: Information technology as a steamroller for management politics?

Abstract: Enterprise resource planning (ERP) technologies can, despite their apparent flexibility, act as a rather obdurate tool for management’s political programmes. To understand this, a combined organisational politics and sociology of technology approach is adopted, viewing technology as a political programme for change. A total of 30 manufacturing case studies grouped around three ERP vendors and systems, show that using technology is not only an issue controlled by an enterprise’s actors. IT suppliers and management consultants and others form communities, which promote certain political programmes. These cases demonstrate that enterprise configurations of ERP do share commonalities, whereas two longitudinal case studies are used to discuss unique enterprise politics. While some features of the systems/political programmes were frozen, others were fluid, and could be configured in micro political processes. Thus hardness is contextual. The political role of technology is not just a case of flexibility or hardness, but a complicated pattern of negotiability, resources, social and geographical distance.

Method and system using an enterprise framework

Abstract: A system and method of modeling an enterprise and its objectives and its information technology system into a single enterprise framework so that the effect of changes in one can be seen as impacting the other. In its preferred embodiment, a generic framework is customized to reflect changes for the industry and the enterprise and its objectives and uses a Lotus Notes database with a front-end navigator to make modifications. The enterprise framework includes a section on governance which provides an architectural framework and a management process for the enterprise framework.

Enterprise Resource Planning Implementation: Stories of Power, Politics, and Resistance

Abstract: This paper provides an interpretation of information technology implementation in a relatively unexplored context, that of higher education. In recent years, there has been a call by governments across the world for universities to improve operational efficiency and to reduce duplication of resources by implementing advanced information systems that span the institution and improve processes. Universities in response turned their efforts to implementing complex ERP systems to facilitate the essential cross functional information integration, free internal information flows, and improve the provision and quality of management information. This paper investigates in turn whether enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems present afeasible information system strategy for higher education institutions. Four in-depth case studies were conducted in higher education institutions (HEIs) that were in the process of implementing ERP systems. Numerous complexities, especially in terms of power, politics, and resistance arose in light of the structure of the HEIs.

Enterprise modelling with CIMOSA: Functional and organizational aspects

Abstract: Enterprise modelling is a central activity in enterprise engineering (EE) and enterprise integration (EI). In this paper, we first present our definition and recall fundamental principles of enterprise modelling. Then we focus on new developments of the CIMOSA modelling language, which is an event-driven process-based modelling language suitable for enterprise system analysis and model enactment. New features of the language concern a clear separation between the concept of processes (modelled as workflows) and the concept of agents or resources (modelled by state-machines). The link between the two concepts is materialized by functional operations (elementary actions) as well as resource capabilities and competencies. Another extension of the language concerns modelling of organization aspects. An example illustrates concepts and methods used in the modelling approach.

Integration of maintenance in the enterprise: Towards an enterprise modelling-based framework compliant with proactive maintenance strategy

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to propose an enterprise modelling-based formal framework Architectures for Enterprise Integration (London: Chapman & Hall), Vernadat 1996, Enterprise Modeling and Integration, Principles and Applications (London: Chapman & Hall)], as a common model of understanding between all the actors involved in a proactive maintenance strategy implementation. This enterprise modelling-based formal framework extends GERAM and CIMOSA modelling frameworks to integrate, from the shop-floor level to the business one, the three basic \[Bernus et al . 1996, processes of prognosis, diagnosis and monitoring which make up a proactive maintenance system. This extension is mainly based, first, on the systemic paradigm taking into account some other principles (e.g. modularity or mapping mechanism); and second, on the federation of scientific and normative works related to maintenance processes (i.e. model-based diagnosis, IEC 191- 1990, etc.). This formal framework has been applied within the European E...

Transaction-based enterprise application integration (EAI) and development system

Abstract: An architecture for a computing environment wherein transactions preferably model the enterprise and its business processes directly, allowing third-party systems, like ERP, supply chain and Web portals, to be more loosely coupled. Because the system will often be distributed throughout the enterprise, reliance on central critical servers is reduced. The system of the present invention can also fill-in gaps in the functionality of legacy systems, as well as invoke complex applications and direct automated systems. The system offers an architecture where users can model their particular enterprises in business terms so that disparate applications can be linked without custom programming.

Structured engagement in the extended enterprise

Abstract: Discusses the necessity for the conscious recognition of the phenomenon known as the extended enterprise; this demands that product, process and supply chain design are all considered simultaneously. Structure must be given to the extended enterprise in order to understand and manage it efficaciously. The authors discuss multiple perspectives for doing this, and employ the notions of “3‐dimensional concurrent engineering” and “holonic thinking” for conceiving what the structure may look like. Describes a current “action research” project that is investigating potential lead‐time reductions within an extended enterprise’s product introduction process. This aims to produce process visualisations, a framework for structuring and sychronising phases and stage‐gates within the extended enterprise, and a new simulation tool which will provide a synthetic distributed hypermedia network. These deliverables will be used to play strategic “games” to explore problem issues within the product introduction process that belongs to the extended enterprise, develop teamwork across autonomous companies, and ultimately, contribute to the design of future extended enterprise supply chains.

A framework for teaching and training in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) era

Abstract: The development of new generations of information systems, known as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, generated a gap between the knowledge that managers need to use these systems efficiently and effectively, and the curriculum of most traditional academic programs. This gap is due to the difference between the integrated approach of ERP systems, which supports complete processes, and the approach of most Industrial Engineering and management courses, which focus on specific functions such as Marketing, Operations, Finance or Purchasing. This paper presents a new framework for teaching and training in the ERP era. A methodology for teaching processes is presented along with a special training tool that combines an interactive, dynamic case study and an educational version of an ERP-like Management Information System. The tool and the methodology form a framework for teaching individuals and teams. The framework is designed to facilitate individual learning and to provide an environment that enha...

Managing Knowledge in Enterprise Systems

Abstract: Enterprise Systems are comprehensive and complex applications that form the core business operating system for many companies worldwide and throughout most industries. The selection, implementation, use and continuous change of Enterprise Systems (ES) (e.g. mySAP.com) require a great amount of knowledge and experience. Due to the lack of in‐house ES knowledge and the high costs of engaging experienced implementation consultants, organizations realize the need to better leverage their knowledge resources. Managing this knowledge is increasingly important with the second wave of ES projects focusing E‐Business applications like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Supply Chain Management (SCM). These new applications embrace an open‐integration strategy that will incorporate and support other vendors’ applications as part of its Internet‐based enterprise computing platform. This paper proposes a framework for managing knowledge in Enterprise Systems. The framework draws its strength from meta‐case studies and comprehensive literature analyses, which is consolidated into a three‐dimensional framework. The preliminary results show that the importance of value‐adding activities and innovation are elemental to knowledge management in the aspect of ES.

IDEONTM: An extensible ontology for designing, integrating, and managing collaborative distributed enterprises

Abstract: An organization's ability to achieve and sustain competitive advantage in the face of continual change depends, to a large extent, on the adaptability, interoperability, and maintainability of its enterprise management approach and supporting software implementation. In this regard, the major challenges facing organizations are: (a) achieving seamless integration of enterprise design, management and control processes and supporting applications; (b) ensuring interoperability between new and legacy business applications; and (c) adapting business strategies and ongoing operations to changes in the external and internal environments. The latter requires integrated planning and execution of enterprise processes. This paper presents IDEONTM, a unified, extensible enterprise ontology that has been designed in response to these needs. Two specific applications of IDEONTM are presented along with the specific extensions for each application. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Syst Eng 4: 35–48, 2001

A taxonomy of a living model of the enterprise

Abstract: A designer has a choice of many models, methods, frameworks, and architectures. There is little consistency between these terms among researchers. Some of the most widely used architectures and frameworks are described with definitions and concepts that distinguish them clearly. This paper proposes a clear definition of these terms, a clear distinction between these and a methodology that will significantly aid in the comparison and evaluation of various enterprise models. A direct benefit of this research is a more clear presentation of how the enterprise modeling community uses enterprise models.

Critical Success Factors of Process Modeling for Enterprise Systems

Abstract: The integrated and process oriented nature of Enterprise Systems (ES) has led organizations to use process modeling as an aid in managing these systems. Enterprise Systems success factor studies explicitly and implicitly state the importance of process modeling and its contribution to overall Enterprise System success. However, no empirical evidence exists on how to conduct process modeling successfully and possibly differentially in the main phases of the ES life-cycle. This paper reports on an empirical investigation of the factors that influence process modeling success. An a-priori model with 8 candidate success factors has been developed to this stage. This paper introduces the research context and objectives, describes the research design and the derived model, and concludes by looking ahead to the next phases of the research design.

A Balanced Scorecard Approach to Enterprise Systems Performance Measurement

Abstract: A range of influences, both technical and organisational, has encouraged the wide spread adoption of Enterprise Systems (ES). Nevertheless, there is a growing consensus that Enterprise Systems have in many cases failed to provide expected benefits. The increasing role of, and dependency on ES (and IT in general), and the ‘uncertainty’ of these large investments, have created a strong need to monitor and measure ES performance. This paper reports on a research project aimed at deriving an ‘Enterprise Systems benefits measurement instrument’. The research seeks to identify how Enterprise Systems benefits can be usefully measured, with a ‘balance’ between qualitative and quantitative factors.

A toolset for building the virtual enterprise

Abstract: Much research has been undertaken to define what a virtual enterprise is and how it should work. This paper addresses the specific question, how a virtual enterprise can be designed to have the agility to support short-term business opportunities. A framework is presented for the organizational design and the changing business roles of the business architect who constructs the various phases of the virtual enterprise's lifecycle. This infrastructure for creating virtual enterprises is referred to as the “value system designer”; a set of methods and tools to select partners, re-engineer business- and logistic processes and to set up an information and communication platform for the virtual enterprise. The methods and tools have been developed in two longitudial research projects TELEflow and the Virtuelle Fabrik between 1995 and 1999. Focusing on the experiences gained from numerous cases, a summary on crucial success factors for designing virtual enterprises shall be presented. Thus, this paper gives insights and applicable know-how for companies and managing engineers in their role as virtual enterprise architects, for example leaders of project consortia or joint ventures or as first-tier suppliers co-ordinating supplier (sub-) nets.

A model for enterprise portal management

Abstract: The article identifies the risks and challenges of using enterprise portal technology for managing corporate information and knowledge Many of the risks and challenges are attributed to the inherent limitations of the software solutions for information and knowledge management It is argued that the risks of adverse effects from the inherent limitations of artificial agents can be reduced if the technical solution, ie the portal architecture, is embedded into adequate relational human architecture The article proposes a management model for enterprise portals analogous to the management model for newspaper production, and argues that the model provides the adequate organizational structure for overcoming the inherent limitations of enterprise portals

Managing distributed business processes in the virtual enterprise

Abstract: In this work the supply–chain coordination in the virtual enterprise environment is subject of analysis. The system developed by UFSC-DBPMS—for the management of distributed business process is presented and some basic concepts for its definition and development are detailed. The DBPMS provides means for getting, analyzing, making available and managing the information from and about a virtual enterprise, enabling the enterprises to make their logistics more efficiently by means of an integrated information-based supply-chain management. All the work presented in this paper was developed within the scope of the ESPRIT project PRODNET-II (production planning and management in an extended enterprise).

A holon‐based process modeling methodology

Abstract: Process models are a valuable tool in the design and configuration of enterprises. However, current modeling techniques have shortcomings that prevent them from fully supporting the analysis required to design an enterprise. This is especially true when considering the needs of modeling highly distributed and temporary multi‐company enterprises such as fractal or virtual enterprises. This paper presents a modeling scheme that supports a process‐centered approach to the analysis and design of both conventional and extended enterprises. Using a holon‐based approach to model the components of an enterprise, it allows for the development of integrated business rule, activity, resource, business process, and organizational views of the enterprise using the IDEF suite of modeling methods. The scheme is built around a central IDEF5 model of the enterprise from which the other views are extracted. The paper also describes the technique for developing an enterprise model using the scheme.

Method and system for facilitating product development processes

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a computer-based system and method for facilitating product development processes within a multi-enterprise environment via a computer network, said multi-enterprise environment including a product development enterprise and at least one customer enterprise, a research and development organization, and a marketing enterprise, all in communication via the Internet or suitable extranet connections. Utilizing the product specification and development application of the present invention, a customer accesses a web site of said product development enterprise, accesses its account, provides data inputs pertaining to a product development request, whereby the product development enterprise extracts said data inputs for review and analysis, establishes a product development plan in response to said review and said analysis, and executes said product development plan. Changes to the product development plan may be made throughout the product development cycle in order to accommodate new technology, processes, and requirements. The product development enterprise system comprises a host system operating a web server, an applications server, and a database manager; a data storage device in communication with the host system, and at least one terminal for accessing the host system. The system runs on a network that is coupled to the Internet and is accessible to a customer enterprise system identified with proper permissions. The applications server executes a set of programs for managing the product development enterprise system, including the product specification and development application of the present invention.