Showing papers on "Enterprise systems engineering published in 2013"

Policy-Based Application Management

Abstract: Improved techniques for managing enterprise applications on mobile devices are described herein. Each enterprise mobile application running on the mobile device has an associated policy through which it interacts with its environment. The policy selectively blocks or allows activities involving the enterprise application in accordance with rules established by the enterprise. Together, the enterprise applications running on the mobile device form a set of managed applications. Managed applications are typically allowed to exchange data with other managed applications, but are blocked from exchanging data with other applications, such as the user's own personal applications. Policies may be defined to manage data sharing, mobile resource management, application specific information, networking and data access solutions, device cloud and transfer, dual mode application software, enterprise app store access, and virtualized application and resources, among other things.

An Exploration of Enterprise Architecture Research

Abstract: Management of the enterprise architecture has become increasingly recognized as a crucial part of both business and IT management. Still, a common understanding and methodological consistency seems far from being developed. Acknowledging the significant role of research in moving the development process along, this article employs different bibliometric methods, complemented by an extensive qualitative interpretation of the research field, to provide a unique overview of the enterprise architecture literature. After answering our research questions about the collaboration via co-authorships, the intellectual structure of the research field and its most influential works, and the principal themes of research, we propose an agenda for future research based on the findings from the above analyses and their comparison to empirical insights from the literature. In particular, our study finds a considerable degree of co-authorship clustering and a positive impact of the extent of co-authorship on the diffusion of works on enterprise architecture. In addition, this article identifies three major research streams and shows that research to date has revolved around specific themes, while some of high practical relevance receive minor attention. Hence, the contribution of our study is manifold and offers support for researchers and practitioners alike.

The discipline of enterprise engineering

Abstract: A century ago, Taylor published a landmark in the organisational 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 that modern enterprises face. Three generic goals are identified. The first one, intellectual manageability, is the basis for mastering complexity; current approaches fall short in assisting professionals to master the complexity of enterprises and enterprise changes. The second goal, organisational concinnity, is conditional for making strategic initiatives operational; current approaches do not, or inadequately, address this objective. The third goal, social devotion, is the basis for achieving employee empowerment as well as knowledgeable management and governance; modern employees are highly educated knowledge workers; yet, the mindset of managers has not evolved accordingly. The emerging discipline of Enterprise Engineering, as conceived by the authors, is considered to be a suitable vehicle for achieving these goals. It does so by providing new, powerful theories and effective methodologies. A theoretical framework is presented for positioning the theories, goals, and fundamentals of enterprise engineering in four classes: philosophical, ontological, ideological and technological.

Systematisation of Interoperability Body of Knowledge: the foundation for Enterprise Interoperability as a science

Abstract: The recently posed challenge of developing an Enterprise Interoperability Science Foundation EISF prompted some academic agents to attempt a systematisation of the Interoperability Body of Knowledge IBoK. Still in their embryonic stages, these efforts have sought to organise and aggregate information from very fragmented and disparate sources, and with different granularities of detail, distinct epistemology origins, separate academic fields, etc. This paper aims to distinguish between levels of specificity of the Interoperability academic work, which are often confused, by considering Models, Theories, and Frameworks. The paper revises these concepts within the context of the EISF's recent work. The results presented here, reflecting consultation with the expert community, provide the synthesis of the current state of play regarding the work developed by the Enterprise Interoperability EI at the European Commission's Future Internet Enterprise Systems FInES cluster.

Information systems for enterprise integration, interoperability and networking: theory and applications

Abstract: Today, enterprises can be characterized by various key facets: globalization, distributed manufacturing, data and knowledge management, advanced automation and robotics, virtual engineering, rapid response to market and more. In today's competitive economy, enterprises need collaborating using Information Technology (IT) and other tools to succeed in this dynamic and heterogeneous business environment. Enterprise integration, interoperability and networking are some of the major disciplines that are enabling companies to improve collaboration and communication in the most effective way. In this direction, the enterprise information systems engineering process aims to develop information systems to respond to increasingly complex objectives, to align these information systems with business goals and processes of the company, or simply to adapt and improve them when facing given requirements or rapidly changing opportunities. As enterprise information systems models become more ubiquitous, the sharing of best-in-class models becomes more desirable. Interoperability between dissimilar systems in sharing information is important, but other aspects are also required in the sharing of enterprise systems knowledge. First, this process is based on the need for collaboration, sharing and mutual understanding of the needs of each stakeholder i.e. each persons involved or affected by the future information system, at each stage of its development. Second, this process follows principles which highlight the need for formal semantics definition of these models to facilitate this work, at various abstraction levels ranging from specification to implementation on site. There is a need to also couple new theoretical results with applied methods and tools supporting existing business reconfiguration and transformation both locally and globally. In this editorial, we reflect on the current and future theory and applications that would further empower networked enterprises by means of collaborative information systems.

A Method for Enterprise Ontology based Design of Enterprise Information Systems

Abstract: A method for designing an Enterprise information system, which is based on an implementation independent model of the organization, has been developed. This model, also called an ontological model, consists of both implementation independent business processes and implementation independent information processes. An Enterprise information system (EIS) has to be understood as an implementation scenario of the ontological model. This study contains a specification framework that provides rules for taking into account during engineering the EIS.

Value-driven design: a methodology to link expectations to technical requirements in the extended enterprise

Abstract: Current systems engineering (SE) standards do not address ‘Value’ in much detail. Yet, understanding what drives the generation of stakeholder value in a given business context, is fundamental to promoting a common and clear vision throughout the extended enterprise, of what should be the focus of their early, conceptual work at all levels of development. This paper presents a Value-Driven Design (VDD) methodology designed to strengthen the value and requirements maturation process within an extended enterprise setting. The work presented is the result of a three and a half year European program (CRESCENDO) within the aerospace sector. The VDD methodology is introduced and explained in an industrial aircraft development context and a selection of enabling methods and tools associated to the VDD methodology is presented.

From e-commerce to social commerce: a framework to guide enabling cloud computing

Abstract: Social commerce is doing commerce in a collaborative and participative way, by using social media, through an enterprise interactive interface that enables social interactions. Technologies such as Web 2.0, Cloud Computing and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) enable social commerce. Yet, a framework for social commerce, putting Enterprise Social Interactions as central entities, would provide a strong business justification for social commerce design and adoption with these enabling technologies. This work first proposes a framework for social commerce-oriented business that captures: (a) three main entities: Enterprise social Interactions, Actors, and Business Processes (and their output: products/services), (b) the relationships between these entities, and (c) the constraints (if any). Then, it focuses on the conceptualization of the key entity, Enterprise Social Interactions, to shape the required enterprise interface that promotes openness, collaboration and participation, which enables the required knowledge emergence and intelligence for the value (co-)creation. A central component of the enterprise technology architecture, we refer to as Enterprise Social Interaction Manager (ESIM) realizes the interface. An example shows how the realization of the ESIM functionalities with Web 2.0, Cloud computing, and SOA enables the different categories of collaborative B2B integration that underlines and backs social commerce.

Towards Service-Oriented Enterprise Architectures for Big Data Applications in the Cloud

Abstract: Applications with Service-oriented Enterprise Architectures in the Cloud are emerging and will shape future trends in technology and communication. The development of such applications integrates Enterprise Architecture and Management with Architectures for Services & Cloud Computing, Web Services, Semantics and Knowledge-based Systems, Big Data Management, among other Architecture Frameworks and Software Engineering Methods. In the present work in progress research, we explore Service-oriented Enterprise Architectures and application systems in the context of Big Data applications in cloud settings. Using a Big Data scenario, we investigate the integration of Services and Cloud Computing architectures with new capabilities of Enterprise Architectures and Management. The underlying architecture reference model can be used to support semantic analysis and program comprehension of service-oriented Big Data Applications. Enterprise Services Computing is the current trend for powerful large-scale information systems, which increasingly converge with Cloud Computing environments. In this paper we combine architectures for services with cloud computing. We propose a new integration model for service-oriented Enterprise Architectures on basis of ESARC - Enterprise Services Architecture Reference Cube, which is our previous developed service-oriented enterprise architecture classification framework, with MFESA - Method Framework for Engineering System Architectures - for the design of service-oriented enterprise architectures, and the systematic development, diagnostics and optimization of architecture artifacts of service-oriented cloud-based enterprise systems for Big Data applications.

Communication of Enterprise Architectures

Abstract: This chapter presents a communication perspective of enterprise architectures. We provide both a theoretical and a practical perspective of the issues involved in the communication of enterprise architectures. The general idea is that the chapter helps the reader see how architecture development and modelling can be optimally supported by discussing why certain forms of modelling are used in some situation and how this fits the goals in the process. The theoretical perspective will focus on communication during system development in general, where the word system should be interpreted as any open and active system, consisting of both human and computerised actors, that is purposely designed. The practical perspective will take shape as a set of practical guidelines that should aid architects in the selection and definition of architecture description approaches that are apt for a specific (communication) context.

Enterprise systems in Russia: 1992–2012

Abstract: This paper introduces the enterprise systems ES development and implementation in Russia in the past three decades Historic analysis shows that, in terms of time frame, the development of ACS Automated Control Systems in the former Soviet Union and the ERP Enterprise Resource Planning in the West was almost parallel In this paper, the current status and the major trend of ES in Russia is discussed

Enterprise managed systems with collaborative application support

Abstract: Described herein is an enterprise system including an enterprise social platform associated with an application store platform, which is accessible by a computing device in a secure manner. The enterprise social platform stores information indicating user roles within the enterprise and provides at least one social networking feature to a group of users that are associated based on the roles, where the social networking feature is associated with an enterprise application store. An application catalog system of the enterprise application store platform includes sets of enterprise applications that are available for selection by enterprise users, and the application catalog system provides access to selected enterprise applications. An application store storage system includes a plurality of files associated with each one of the plurality of applications, wherein the plurality of files includes enterprise customized application templates, enterprise application usage information, application evaluation information, application recommendations, or an application support forum. An application store management system presents selected ones of the files to a user within the enterprise social platform based on the user's membership in the group of users.

Quantitative evaluation of enterprise marketing activities

Abstract: The growing competition on the international markets means that the importance of enterprise marketing activities is increasing. However, the attention paid to theoretical and practical marketing problems by enterprises is insufficient. This particularly refers to the analysis of marketing strategy effectiveness. It is not clear how marketing affects enterprise performance. To perform this analysis, the quantitative evaluation of enterprise marketing activities is required. Enterprise marketing is a complex multi-faceted phenomenon. Its various aspects are described by multidimensional and often oppositely directed criteria. Therefore, in this case, multicriteria evaluation methods can be successfully used for analysis. The state of the enterprise marketing system is described by sets of criteria. Therefore, the problem of adequate evaluation of their weights arises. Sometimes, it is possible to reduce the number of evaluation criteria by developing their hierarchical system. However, the questio...

The Changing Role of the Enterprise Architect

Abstract: Enterprise architecture is practiced in different ways, and there are different types of enterprise architects with quite different roles. This paper looks closer at the role of enterprise architects and the importance of the enterprise architects' understanding of boundary issues in their practice. The paper suggests that enterprise architects must focus on problem-finding more than problem-solving, and should develop not just more dialectic skills, but also dialogic skills. The paper also argues that the enterprise architects must gain a deeper understanding of the enterprise, and need to start working with other enterprise disciplines.

RBUIS: simplifying enterprise application user interfaces through engineering role-based adaptive behavior

Abstract: Enterprise applications such as customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) are very large scale, encompassing millions of lines-of-code and thousands of user interfaces (UI). These applications have to be sold as feature-bloated off-the-shelf products to be used by people with diverse needs in required feature-set and layout preferences based on aspects such as skills, culture, etc. Although several approaches have been proposed for adapting UIs to various contexts-of-use, little work has focused on simplifying enterprise application UIs through engineering adaptive behavior. We define UI simplification as a mechanism for increasing usability through adaptive behavior by providing users with a minimal feature-set and an optimal layout based on the context-of-use. In this paper we present Role-Based UI Simplification (RBUIS), a tool supported approach based on our CEDAR architecture for simplifying enterprise application UIs through engineering role-based adaptive behavior. RBUIS is integrated in our general-purpose platform for developing adaptive model-driven enterprise UIs. Our approach is validated from the technical and end-user perspectives by applying it to developing a prototype enterprise application and user-testing the outcome.

A Review of Critical Success Factors of Enterprise Architecture Implementation

Abstract: Enterprise Architecture (EA) optimizes an enterprise's Information Technology investments and translates business strategies into implementable technology solutions to achieve business competitive environment. This paper provides a review of the Critical Success Factors (CSF) which influences successful EA implementation. Various factors from different CSF models for effective EA implementation and comparisons among models are presented. It is informational and useful for Enterprise Architects considering conducting research on EA and practitioners seeking to assess the 'state-of-play'.

Change factors in Enterprise 2.0 initiatives: Can we learn from ERP?

Abstract: The rise of social software and Enterprise 2.0 sees organizations rapidly deploying collaboration technologies. Implementing new technology entails change and challenges, and these aspects of Enterprise 2.0 have not been adequately addressed by research. This study investigates change factors specific to Enterprise 2.0 initiatives to contribute to our understanding of their characteristics and idiosyncrasies. Drawing upon grounded theory, we analyze 16 case studies and integrate the results in the context of socio-technical change. To contrast the findings, similarities and distinctions between Enterprise 2.0 and ERP projects are discussed. We further explore and evaluate the conclusions by conducting expert interviews with senior professionals in the field of Enterprise 2.0. Our results indicate Enterprise 2.0 initiatives involve specific change factors, require distinct management strategies and shape new roles in the organization. The findings can enable practitioners in navigating the pitfalls of transferring and applying change management to a new field. For researchers, the study constitutes a point of departure to empirically examine change in Enterprise 2.0 initiatives.

Towards the Development of an Adaptive Enterprise Service System Model

Abstract: The continuous adaptation of modern enterprises is largely dependent on their underlying adaptive enterprise architecture capability. However, the establishment of an adaptive enterprise architecture capability requires defining the enterprise context before actually commissioning any enterprise architecture or adaptation work. This paper presents the adaptive enterprise service system (AESS) model based on the “Design Science” research method and “Theory Triangulation” approach. The AESS integrates the enterprise context perspectives from three well-known theories of agility, (agent) system, and service science. The AESS model, as a part of the large adaptive enterprise architecture toolkit, defines a modern enterprise as an adaptive enterprise service system. The adaptive enterprise service system is a multi-agent system of service systems that exhibits agility and focuses on the emerging service-centric view as opposed to a traditional product-centric view. The service-centric view of an enterprise is critical for establishing the adaptive enterprise architecture capability for handling complex enterprise transformations.

Study on enterprise knowledge sharing in ESN perspective: a Chinese case study

Abstract: Purpose – An enterprise social network (ESN) is part of the landscape of information reform by enterprises, using Web 2.0. In terms of the marketing targets of typical Web 2.0 techniques, enterprise knowledge sharing in Web 2.0 can be classified into different types (individual interaction type, group interaction type, social interaction type, real-time interaction type and delay interaction type). The purpose of this paper is to summarize the features and modes of different enterprises’ knowledge sharing and study enterprise knowledge sharing quantitatively from an ESN perspective by selecting real-time interaction type as the case. Design/methodology/approach – Because of the area of research, the authors supplemented social network analysis (SNA) with a mathematical modeling method and additional in-depth interviews. Findings – The Web 2.0 era provides the opportunity to quantify knowledge sharing. Also, SNA can quantitatively and visually diagnose the knowledge sharing status of the enterprise and guide the enterprise’s knowledge-sharing process. Research limitations/implications – Only a case study regarding real-time interaction type is presented; other types of interaction are not studied empirically. Practical implications – SNA, combined with a mathematical modeling method and additional in-depth interviews with team leaders or key managers in organizations, can diagnose quantitatively, visually and comprehensively the knowledge-sharing status of the enterprise. Originality/value – This paper systematically summarizes the features and modes of Web 2.0 enterprise knowledge sharing, and the multiple-method research design represents a sound approach to targeting enterprise knowledge sharing.

Towards the Development of the Future Internet Based Enterprise in the Context of Cyber-Physical Systems

Abstract: The constantly increasing dynamics of the world economy and the shift of business values in accordance with the new values of the current society has lead to the development of new Internet oriented Enterprise Systems. This paper is concerned with the transformation of such systems in regard to the new paradigms of Future Internet and Cyber - Physical Systems. A Distributed Semantic Middleware is proposed as an Enabler for the development of Cyber Enterprise Systems.

Sociotechnical Enterprise Information Systems Design and Integration

Abstract: As technology continues to grow as an essential component of small and large enterprises, an ever increasing demand is placed on cutting-edge designs for information systems.Sociotechnical Enterprise Information Systems Design and Integration covers multiple systems and developments in design for businesses and enterprises of all sizes. This publication not only highlights the advancing technology and research in this area, but it also proposes strategic approaches to manage risks and detect errors. Researchers, practitioners, and professionals wishing to expand their knowledge on the most up to date information systems and its designs will benefit from this comprehensive compilation of research.

'Big Data' collaboration: Exploring, recording and sharing enterprise knowledge

Abstract: As data sources and data size proliferate, knowledge discovery from 'Big Data' is starting to pose several challenges. In this paper, we address a specific challenge in the practice of enterprise knowledge management while extracting actionable nuggets from diverse data sources of seemingly related information. In particular, we address the challenge of archiving knowledge gained through collaboration, dissemination and visualization as part of the data analysis inference and decision-making lifecycle. We motivate the implementation of an enterprise data discovery and knowledge recorder tool called SEEKER based on a real-world case study. We motivate the implementation of an enterprise data discovery and knowledge recorder tool called SEEKER Schema Exploration and Evolving Knowledge Entity Recorder based on the queries and the analytical artifacts that are being created by analysts as they use the data. We show how the tool serves as a digital record of institutional domain knowledge and as documentation for the evolution of data elements, queries and schemas over time. As a knowledge management service, a tool like SEEKER saves enterprise resources and time by 1 avoiding analytic “silos” i.e., a separate set of data that is not included in an enterprise's data administration, 2 expediting the process of multi-source data integration and 3 intelligently documenting discoveries from collaborating analysts.

Integration of enterprise levels based on an ontological framework

Abstract: Enterprises are highly complex systems in which one or more organizations share a definite mission, goals and objectives to offer a product or service. In this study, an ontological framework is built as a mechanism for exchanging information and knowledge models for multiple applications and effective integration between hierarchical levels. The potential of the general semantic framework that is developed is demonstrated using a case study concerning the enterprise supply chain network design-planning problem.

Analyzing Enterprise Models Using Enterprise Architecture-Based Ontology

Abstract: Development and maintenance of enterprise systems is becoming more difficult due to change drivers along multiple interconnected dimensions. It is advisable to model the enterprise first and analyze it for potential concerns. For modeling enterprises, ontologies have been considered apt and have been used in the past for the same, but application of ontologies for EA analysis based on concepts of enterprise and relations between them have been scarce. We present our ongoing work on analyzing enterprise models using EA-based ontological representation of enterprise. Our contributions are twofold: first, we show how an existing EA modeling language can be leveraged to create EA ontology and second, we show how two known EA analyses can be realized using this ontology. Initial results suggest that ontology representation facilitates basic EA analysis prototyping due to right mix of representation and inference functionalities and is extensible for more involved EA analyses.

From Mass Production to Intelligent Cyber-Enterprise

Abstract: The paper proposes a new paradigm for the enterprise of the future, with respect to the requirements and the constraints it will be forced to face in order to progress and evolve. It is a paradigm which will take into account not only the complex relations between enterprise components - human, material and informational, but also the integration enterprise-society will all its aspects. There are presented some of the main trends in the control and management of manufacturing systems, in order to enlighten the evolution of the concepts towards that of Cyber-Physical Systems, which is the core of the proposed paradigm. A generic model of the next generation of Manufacturing Systems will be introduced, based on the paradigm of Intelligent Cyber-Enterprise.

Enterprise Architecture Cybernetics and the Edge of Chaos: Sustaining Enterprises as Complex Systems in Complex Business Environments

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is primarily theoretical -- to propose and detail a model of system evolution, and show its derivation from the fields of Enterprise Architecture, cybernetics and systems theory. Cybernetic thinking is used to develop a 'Co-evolution Path Model' to explain how enterprises co-evolve with their environments. The model is re-interpreting Stafford Beer's Viable System Model, and also uses Conant and Ashby's theorem of the 'good regulator', exemplifying how various complexity management theories could be synthesised into a cybernetic theory of Enterprise Architecture -- informing management of mechanisms to maintain harmony between the evolution of the enterprise as a system and the evolution of its environment.