Showing papers on "Enterprise systems engineering published in 2012"

Business Intelligence for Enterprise Systems: A Survey

Abstract: Business intelligence (BI) is the process of transforming raw data into useful information for more effective strategic, operational insights, and decision-making purposes so that it yields real business benefits. This new emerging technique can not only improve applications in enterprise systems and industrial informatics, respectively, but also play a very important role to bridge the connection between enterprise systems and industrial informatics. This paper was intended as a short introduction to BI with the emphasis on the fundamental algorithms and recent progress. In addition, we point out the challenges and opportunities to smoothly connect industrial informatics to enterprise systems for BI research.

Enterprise architecture, IT effectiveness and the mediating role of IT alignment in US hospitals

Abstract: Despite the possible benefits of implementing healthcare information technologies, successful implementation of effective healthcare information technology is constrained by cultural and regulatory concerns and technical obstacles encountered when establishing or upgrading an organisation's enterprise infrastructure. In this paper, we advance Ross' four-stage model of enterprise architecture maturity as a valuable IT resource for helping healthcare organisations sustain a competitive advantage. We use partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modelling to analyse survey data from 164 US hospitals at different stages of EA maturity. Our results provide evidence that enterprise architecture maturity directly influences the effectiveness of hospitals' IT resources for achieving strategic goals. Further, enterprise architecture maturity indirectly influences the effectiveness of IT resources when IT alignment is incorporated as a mediating variable. We discuss the implications of our findings for research and practice and suggest opportunities for future research. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Engineering Systems Multiple-Domain Matrix: An organizing framework for modeling large-scale complex systems

Abstract: The scope and complexity of engineered systems are ever-increasing as burgeoning global markets, unprecedented technological capabilities, rising consumer expectations, and ever-changing social requirements present difficult design challenges that often extend beyond the traditional engineering paradigm. These challenges require engineers and technical managers to treat the technological systems as a part of a larger whole. Existing system modeling frameworks are limited in scope for representing the information about engineering systems. This paper presents a conceptual framework and an improved modeling framework for engineering systems. Its value is that it allows engineers and managers an improved means to visually arrange information and structure discourse in a way that facilitates better systems engineering. It augments the existing literature by providing a clear and concise framework for an engineering system, and provides a methodology for engineers to tag and organize systems information in ways that allow for better collection, storage, processing, and analysis of systems engineering data. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Enterprise cloud service architectures

Abstract: As a new computing paradigm, cloud computing has received a lot of attention from enterprises and has being integrated or applied to enterprise architectures. This paper surveys the state of the art of enterprise cloud service architectures. Specifically, this paper discusses enterprise cloud service architectural requirements, design approaches, architectural styles, emerging cloud service platforms, applications and related challenges in an enterprise context. This paper also identifies research trends and opportunities for researchers and practitioners in this fast moving field.

Integrated enterprise software and social network system user interfaces utilizing cloud computing infrastructures and single secure portal access

Abstract: A software-based method and system to provide a secure user interface on multiple and diverse electronic computing devices with a customized and secure dashboard feature. The systems and methods simultaneously integrate internally generated software utilities of an enterprise with externally accessed software operating in a ‘cloud computing’ environment. The systems and methods can be used in management and operations that use computer based software, data management, creative processes and communication systems. The systems and methods reduce the requirement for additional programming to integrate or interchange equivalent and independently developed software for use within an enterprise. The systems and methods permit social network communications between members of an enterprise and an external community. The security features of the user interface portal permit collaborations between parties in an external community and enterprise members that can develop new processes that remain proprietary to the enterprise and parties of an external community.

Techniques to apply and share remote policies on mobile devices

Abstract: Techniques to apply and share remote policies on personal devices are described. In an embodiment, a technique includes contacting an enterprise server from an enterprise application operating on a personal device. The enterprise application may receive policies from the enterprise server. The policies may be applied to the enterprise application. When a second enterprise application on the personal device is launched, the policies may also be applied to the second enterprise application. When a policy is changed on the enterprise server, notification is pushed to the personal device and all related enterprise applications on the personal device may be updated to enforce the policy change. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

A Practice-Based Framework for Enterprise Coherence

Abstract: In this paper, the authors discuss a practice-based framework that enables enterprises to make the coherence between key aspects, such as business and IT, explicit. The term “coherence” is preferred over the more common term “alignment”, since the latter is generally associated with bringing two concepts in line (typically “Business” and “IT”). The word coherence, however, stresses the need to go beyond this. Enterprise coherence considers the alignment of all important aspects of an enterprise.

Modifying pre-existing mobile applications to implement enterprise security policies

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes components and features for enabling enterprise users to securely access enterprise resources (documents, data, application servers, etc.) using their mobile devices. An enterprise can use some or all components of the system to, for example, securely but flexibly implement a BYOD (bring your own device) policy in which users can run both personal applications and secure enterprise applications on their mobile devices. The system may, for example, implement policies for controlling mobile device accesses to enterprise resources based on device attributes (e.g., what mobile applications are installed), user attributes (e.g., the user's position or department), behavioral attributes, and other criteria. Client-side code installed on the mobile devices may further enhance security by, for example, creating a secure container for locally storing enterprise data, creating a secure execution environment for running enterprise applications, and/or creating secure application tunnels for communicating with the enterprise system.

Formalizing the Cloud through Enterprise Topology Graphs

Abstract: Enterprises often have no integrated and comprehensive view of their enterprise topology describing their entire IT infrastructure, software, on-premise and off-premise services, processes, and their interrelations. Especially due to acquisitions, mergers, reorganizations, and outsourcing there is no clear 'big picture' of the enterprise topology. Through this lack, management of applications becomes harder and duplication of components and information systems increases. Furthermore, the lack of insight makes changes in the enterprise topology like consolidation, migration, or outsourcing more complex and error prone which leads to high operational cost. In this paper we propose Enterprise Topology Graphs (ETG) as formal model to describe an enterprise topology. Based on established graph theory ETG bring formalization and provability to the cloud. They enable the application of proven graph algorithms to solve enterprise topology research problems in general and cloud research problems in particular. For example, we present a search algorithm which locates segments in large and possibly distributed enterprise topologies using structural queries. To illustrate the power of the ETG approach we show how it can be applied for IT consolidation to reduce operational costs, increase flexibility by simplifying changes in the enterprise topology, and improve the environmental impact of the enterprise IT.

Automating enterprise architecture documentation using an enterprise service bus

Abstract: Currently the documentation of Enterprise Architectures (EA) requires manual collection of data resulting in an error prone, expensive, and time consuming process. Recent approaches seek to automate and improve EA documentation by employing the productive system environment of organizations. In this paper, we investigate a specific Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) considered as the nervous system of an enterprise interconnecting business applications and processes as an information source. We evaluate the degree of coverage to which data of a productive system can be used for EA documentation. A vendor-specific ESB data model is reverse-engineered and transformation rules for three representative EA information models are derived. These transformation rules are employed to perform automated model transformations making the first step towards an automated EA documentation. We evaluate our approach using a productive ESB system from a leading enterprise of the fashion industry.

e-Business systems integration: a systems perspective

Abstract: Systems science has emerged as a meta-discipline and a meta-language, correspondingly, which can be applied to discuss issues in e-business systems and relevant enterprise architecture and enterprise integration. A lot of researches on enterprise architecture and enterprise integration in e-business systems have their theoretical findings and effective practices naturally influenced by systems theory and relative methodologies. This paper strives to review the contribution of systems theory to enterprise architecture and integration. It also tries to summarize methods or tools applied on enterprise systems level, and to investigate many crucial scopes, concepts and their interrelationship in e-business systems integration activities. Finally, this paper presents new prospects in enterprise architecture and integration for e-business systems. All of these may be useful to deal with the increase complex informatics issues of modern enterprises.

Modeling and analyzing of an enterprise collaboration network supported by service-oriented manufacturing

Abstract: Service-oriented manufacturing is a new manufacturing paradigm and it has appeared in large-scale enterprise clusters over the past few years. In this situation, the increasing service demands from...

The Future of Enterprise IT in the Cloud

Abstract: The widespread availability and adoption of cloud services creates new challenges for enterprise IT and prompts the need for new methodologies, tools, and skill sets for managing a hybrid portfolio of these services and traditional IT systems.

Goal-Oriented requirements engineering and enterprise architecture: two case studies and some lessons learned

Abstract: An enterprise-architecture (EA) is a high-level representation of the enterprise, used for managing the relation between business and IT. [Problem] Ideally, all elements of an enterprise architecture can be traced to business goals ad vice versa, but in practice, this is not the case. In this experience paper we explore the use of goal-oriented requirements engineering (GORE) techniques to improve this bidirectional traceability. [Principal ideas/results] We collected GORE techniques from KAOS, i*, Tropos, BMM and TOGAF and integrated them in a language called ARMOR. This was used by enterprise architects in case study. It turned out that the language was too complex for the architects to understand as intended. Based on this we redefined ARMOR to contain only a minimum number of goal-oriented concepts, and this was tested in a second case study. This second case study suggests that the minimal version is still useful for traceability management in practice. [Contribution] We have identified a core set of concepts of goal-oriented requirements engineering, that can be used in the practice of enterprise architecture. Our analysis provides hypotheses into GORE that will be tested in future case studies.

The elephant in the mist: What we don't know about the design, development, test and management of complex systems

Abstract: The authors survey the literature on complex systems to develop a fundamental critique of the systems engineering methods that value-driven design will attempt to replace. The current approach to systems engineering applies industrial revolution methods to information revolution problems. Not only the flowdown of requirements, but also the ability to verify and validate large engineered systems is brought into question.

Enterprise Architecture for the Adaptive Enterprise - A Vision Paper

Abstract: Dealing with change is a major concern in enterprise architecture. As organizations face increasingly fast-moving environments, systematic frameworks are needed to manage change at many levels. Recent advances in data analytics and business intelligence enable organizations to gain deep insights quickly and recognize needs for change, and to take actions in response. Current enterprise architecture approaches have limited ability to model and reason about the adaptiveness that is available or desirable in various parts of an enterprise. In this vision paper, we attempt a preliminary characterization of an adaptive enterprise, so as to stimulate debate and research towards EA frameworks that explicitly support adaptiveness as a design goal. Initial ideas to adopt and integrate modeling constructs from system dynamics and goal-oriented and agent-oriented requirements engineering are outlined.

The Principles of Enterprise Engineering

Abstract: A century ago, Taylor published a landmark in the organizational sciences, his Principles of Scientific Management. Many researchers have elaborated on Taylor’s principles, or have been influenced otherwise. The authors of the current paper evaluate a century of enterprise development, and conclude that a paradigm shift is needed for dealing adequately with the challenges modern enterprises are facing. Three generic objectives are identified. First, employee empowerment; modern employees are highly educated knowledge workers; yet, the mindset of managers has not evolved accordingly. Second, mastering complexity; current approaches fall short in mastering the complexity of enterprises and enterprise changes. Third, unity and integration; this can only be achieved by deliberate enterprise design. The emerging discipline of Enterprise Engineering is able to achieve these objectives satisfyingly. It does so by providing new, powerful ideas and intellectual techniques, collected in the Principles of Enterprise Engineering.

Solving Enterprise Applications Performance Puzzles: Queuing Models to the Rescue

Abstract: Poorly performing enterprise applications are the weakest links in a corporation's management chain, causing delays and disruptions of critical business functions. This groundbreaking book frames enterprise application performance engineering not as an art but as applied science built on model-based methodological foundation. The book introduces queuing models of enterprise application that visualize, demystify, explain, and solve system performance issues. Analysis of these models will help to discover and clarify unapparent connections and correlations among workloads, hardware architecture, and software parameters.

Availability of enterprise IT systems: an expert-based Bayesian framework

Abstract: Ensuring the availability of enterprise IT systems is a challenging task. The factors that can bring systems down are numerous, and their impact on various system architectures is difficult to predict. At the same time, maintaining high availability is crucial in many applications, ranging from control systems in the electric power grid, over electronic trading systems on the stock market to specialized command and control systems for military and civilian purposes. This paper describes a Bayesian decision support model, designed to help enterprise IT system decision-makers evaluate the consequences of their decisions by analyzing various scenarios. The model is based on expert elicitation from 50 experts on IT systems availability, obtained through an electronic survey. The Bayesian model uses a leaky Noisy-OR method to weigh together the expert opinions on 16 factors affecting systems availability. Using this model, the effect of changes to a system can be estimated beforehand, providing decision support for improvement of enterprise IT systems availability. The Bayesian model thus obtained is then integrated within a standard, reliability block diagram-style, mathematical model for assessing availability on the architecture level. In this model, the IT systems play the role of building blocks. The overall assessment framework thus addresses measures to ensure high availability both on the level of individual systems and on the level of the entire enterprise architecture. Examples are presented to illustrate how the framework can be used by practitioners aiming to ensure high availability.

Enterprise integration engineering reference framework and toolbox

Abstract: Enterprise Integration Engineering (EIE) has emerged as an engineering discipline to re-structure the enterprise entities as integrated business processes that integrate human and technological resources to facilitate the knowledge sharing for better decision making. EIE is a complex task that requires applying different tools concerning strategic planning, performance management, modelling, simulation and business process management in order to properly engineer the enterprise entities. The present paper presents an EIE toolbox that aims to support enterprises in their decision making process and to provide different assisting tools to be applied on the components of the EIE Reference Framework proposed. Finally, a set of case studies are presented in order to demonstrate the utility of the EIE Reference Framework and its toolbox for strategic planning and enterprise decision making.

Guest Editorial Special Section on Enterprise Systems

Abstract: The six papers in this special section are devoted to the topic of enterprise systems (ES) or enterprise information systems (EIS). ES has emerged as a promising tool used for integrating and extending business processes across the boundaries of business functions at both intra and interorganizational levels.

Agent and Multi-agent Technology for Internet and Enterprise Systems

Abstract: Research in multi-agent systems offers a promising technology for problems with networks, online trading and negotiations but also social structures and communication. This is a book on agent and multi-agent technology for internet and enterprise systems. The book is a pioneer in the combination of the fields and is based on the concept of developing a platform to share ideas and presents research in technology in the field and application to real problems. The chapters range over both applications, illustrating the possible uses of agents in an enterprise domain, and design and analytic methods, needed to provide the solid foundation required for practical systems.

Enterprise 2.0 Integrated Communication and Collaboration Platform: A Conceptual Viewpoint

Abstract: The intensification of collaborative networking in the enterprises, wide adoption of mobile applications and other progressive IT technologies by businesses, influence enterprise development. Thus, we focus in this paper onto the evaluating the role and place of communication&collaborative platforms in new generation of enterprise management paradigm dependent onto the social collaboration tools. Explicitly, we consider here integration challenges of main collaboration strategies. Besides, we analyze the role of different advanced IT technologies in the enterprise social collaboration platform. Next, we define impact factors of social networking onto corporate world including placement of a social collaboration layer in new enterprise architecture. And finally, we conclude with presentation of our findings along with further research strategies discussion.

An enterprise information system agility assessment model

Abstract: The enterprise strategy is influenced by the environment changes: socio economic, legislative, technology, and the globalization. This makes its Information System more complex and competition increasingly fierce. In order for an enterprise to ensure its place in this hard context characterized by rapid and random changes of the internal and external environments, it must have fast adapting policy of its strategy and drive quickly important changes at all levels of its Information System in order to align it to its strategy and vice versa; that‟s, it must always be agile. Therefore, agility of the Enterprise Information System can be considered as a primary objective of an enterprise. This paper deals with agility assessment in the context of POIRE project. It proposes a fuzzy logic based assessment approach in order to measure, regulate and preserve continuously the Information System agility. It also proposes a prototype implementation and an application of the proposed approach to a tour operator enterprise.