Showing papers on "Services computing published in 1995"

New modes of innovation: How services benefit industry

Abstract: Despite the significance of services in the economic statistics, economic theories of innovation have tended to ignore them, or to assume that innovation in services consists of little more than adopting innovations developed in industry. This view is subjected to a critique based on three questions: (1) why is innovation in services misunderstood or neglected in economic theory? (2) what do field observations indicate are the principal forms of innovation in services? (3) how can these observations help to broaden and enrich the economic theory of industrial innovation?

Electronic delivery system and method for integrating global financial services

Abstract: A method for integrating a plurality of financial services provided at different geographical locations and in different time zones, and electronic delivering such services directly to a customer facility at any time requested by the customer. Customers connect to the system whenever desired to access each of the services, and messages are stored and routed between the customers and each of the service providers at the respective times when the customers' facilities and the service providers' facilities are operative. The system can interface with a customer's stand-alone personal computer, local area network, and/or mainframe computer. A variety of security functions provide different levels of access to the services for different customers.

SPIN—an extensible microkernel for application-specific operating system services

Abstract: Application domains such as multimedia, databases, and parallel computing, require operating system services with high performance and high functionality. Existing operating systems provide fixed interfaces and implementations to system services and resources. This makes them inappropriate for applications whose resource demands and usage patterns are poorly matched by the services provided. The SPIN operating system enables system services to be defined in an application-specific fashion through an extensible microkernel. It offers applications fine-grained control over a machine's logical and physical resources through run-time adaptation of the system to application requirements.

Service models and pricing policies for an integrated services Internet

Abstract: This paper addresses the integration of services in the Internet and the resulting impact on pricing policies. I rst address why an integrated services Internet is desirable , and give an overview of the services it is likely to ooer. I then argue that an integrated services Internet, in order to be eecient, must employ per-user, quality-of-service sensitive, and usage-based pricing policies.

Number translation services matrix

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing call data among telephone switching offices and a remotely located database system, called an SCP (Services Control Point), such that one large monolithic application at the SCP is shared among a very large number of individual services. Specifically, the disclosure pertains to the means of achieving the necessary service differentiation at the SCP, namely through: i) the use of a very powerful transaction processor, capable of addressing massive amounts of memory and dealing with large numbers of real time events; ii) the assignment of service-specific memory addressing ranges (identified hereafter as Numbering Plans, which can be either Open or Private) in one large monolithic application; iii) the use of service-specific search keys within Numbering Plans; iv) a rich common service logic tree, and common reference library, capable of being pruned down to match the service logic needs of individual services, and of individual customers within those services; v) rapid screen customization at the service provisioners' workstations to meet service-specific operations requirements; and vi) a criss-cross numbering plan table that enable services which require the caller's identity to maintain their integrity. The result is a matrix with all the services on one axis and all the service features on the other, such that the intersections of services and features can be customized by the Telco to meet specific service needs.

Exploring a Gap Model of Information Services Quality

Abstract: Due to the growth of end-user computing, information technology IT decentralization and alternative sources of supply, the information systems IS function now serves customers that possess substantial discretion in their use and purchase of IS services. To continue to effectively deliver systems and services that IS customers perceive valuable, IS management must become expert in determining and assessing IS customers' expectations and perceptions. One important source of guidance in such a market-driven environment is to look to the service marketing and operations literature for frameworks that may permit IS to more effectively determine and convey customer value of IS services and IT. This paper outlines IS service quality improvement as a means to cope with this customer-driven IS environment. Specifically, it adapts a widely accepted conceptual "gap" model from the marketing field as a framework for IS service quality management. This model has as its premise that service quality improvement is a continual process of determining and comparing customer expectations and perceptions and, then, modifying products and services based on the results of this assessment. Applications of this model in both research and practice are discussed.

New modes of innovation: how services benefit industry

Abstract: Despite the significance of services in the economic statistics, economic theories of innovation have tended to ignore them, or to assume that innovation in services consists of little more than adopting innovations developed in industry. This view is subjected to a critique based on three questions: (1) why is innovation in services misunderstood or neglected in economic theory? (2) what do field observations indicate are the principal forms of innovation in services? (3) how can these observations help to broaden and enrich the economic theory of industrial innovation?

Information Search for a Professional Service

Abstract: While the information search component of the consumer decision-making process has been researched extensively in the product context, there is little research on information search for services purchases. This paper identifies different groups of consumers of financial services with particular search patterns. Information research was found to be limited. Furthermore, "minimal searchers" were found to own the widest range of investment products, which suggests that experience is a mediator in the propensity to search. Credibility of information source was also a key factor. Thus, relationship marketing must be seen as a key activity for services marketers.

The ANDECS CACE framework

Abstract: Computer-aided control engineering (CACE) environments, in order to be reusable in a broad spectrum of applications, have to be based on an open software framework that provides seven classes of services: database services; model-definition services; algorithmic services; tool-control services; task-control services; user-interaction services; and process-communication services. This is detailed herein with the available CACE framework for the application system ANDECS. >

Internet Services: from Electronic Mail to Real-Time Multimedia

Abstract: In the first twenty years of its existence, the Internet was mainly used for email and file transfer, mostly by researchers and technical staff in American universities, government and some industrial research labs. In the last five years, this has changed dramatically, with exponential growth, new services and a transition to a commercial network. This paper describes some of the technical foundations of the new real-time multimedia services, in particular a real-time transport protocol. The paper also outlines some of the challenges to Internet technology in this transition from a research to a commercial network.

Location-independent information object security

Abstract: Users are mobile and use multiple platforms with differing applications over time. These users have no security service applications which are independent of location or computing environment. The IOS project has developed syntax and applications which provide these services. The IOS Tools allow one or more users to apply security services to documents. The project has also investigated third-party security services and has developed an Electronic Signature Timestamp Server (ESTS) which provides the services of document registration (timestamping), validation, and non-repudiation. >

Enhancing Primary Services for Youth through an Infrastructure of Social Services

Abstract: This article considers how the strengths of primary social services can be integrated more purposefully into a cohesive, community-based infrastructure of youth andfamily services. The term primary services refers to the wide range of programs and activities that are embedded within the familiar social world of children and their families, and addresses broad developmental outcomes rather than specialized problems. The article first highlights five features of practice and participation that research indicates may distinguish primary social services as a sector and suggests some implications of those features for youth development. The features discussed include a youth development outlook, voluntariness, intentionality, flexibility, and connectedness. It then considers how the benefits of primary services could be amplified by integrating them into a comprehensive, community-based infrastructure of social services. A particular model of infrastructure is reviewed, which poses the primary service sector a...

Regional PC communication network for residential use supported by fiber-optic access systems

Abstract: Given the trend towards fiber-optic access network systems, new services and new network functions to support them are required in addition to telephony services. We have researched cost-effective fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) systems and their realization. This paper describes a new personal-computer (PC) communication network system for regional areas and supports connectionless group communication services. The candidates for community communication includes groups such as school classmates, town(-block) associations, hobby clubs, shopping, and games. The proposed system provides cost-effective PC communication services to regional community members who are authenticated by the media access control (MAC) address of each PC and the user's ID. The system can support not only conventional connection-oriented integrated-services-digital-network (ISDN) services, but also connectionless communication services. The system architecture and network management schemes for group communication services are discussed.

ATM-based multi-party conferencing system

Abstract: Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), which can provide integrated services of various media types and bit rates, is rapidly becoming the dominant technology for deployment of distributed interactive multimedia services. We present the design and implementation of a multi-party conferencing system for deployment on ATM-networks. The underlying CORBA-based middleware models the computing platforms, networks and multimedia devices, such that distributed interactive multimedia services can be developed and deployed over heterogeneous environments. Furthermore, the embedded algorithms including scheduling and protocols are tuned for deployment of services over ATM networks.

The market for obstetrical services: an integrative approach to building relationships

Abstract: Describes the current scenario for maternity services. Delineates an integrative approach dealing with the information cycle and applies it to the market for obstetrical services. Discusses directions for future research and provides strategic recommendations.

An IN-based implementation of interactive video services

Abstract: Interactive video services will be among the first broadband services to be offered to residential and business customers. This paper describes a full service network architecture based on the intelligent network (IN) which supports a large variety of services, including video on demand and other multimedia services. ATM will be deployed on an end-to-end basis, allowing standardised signalling protocols to be used. The target solution, however, requires special call and connection handling capabilities such as multi-connection calls and call transfer which are not covered by the current status of B-ISDN signalling protocols. Therefore, we introduce an alternative solution which is based on current standards and allows an evolution from a fast prototype implementation towards our target concept.

Management Services for Performance Verification in Broadband Multi-Service Networks

Abstract: This paper presents a practical management system for performance monitoring and network performance verification to support the larger goals of performance management systems. We show how the rich and powerful features of OSI systems management can be used in a hierarchical manner in the TMN, to achieve sophisticated performance monitoring and performance verification without imposing a large communications overhead in the TMN and hence in the managed network itself.

Interactive billing for broadband and multimedia services

Abstract: Community networking services will range from entertainment to shopping to information services. The complexity of the transport and control architectures that are needed to support these services combined with the diverse needs of customers and service providers demand the development of new paradigms for monitoring service usage, and for rating and billing for the usage. Billing is an area of strategic importance to telecommunications service providers. Billing services provide strategic advantage in the marketplace where it is increasingly difficult to differentiate through product features and functionality, and where companies are trying to gain competitive advantage through customer service features. The usage information collection and management paradigm proposed is an essential component of meeting the billing needs for new, distributed broadband and multimedia services.

Meta-scripts as a mechanism for complex web services

Abstract: The World-Wide Web is the 'killer application' of the mid-1990's, and as a result it serves as the market place for various services. This position document discusses the problem of creating complex Web services from simpler ones, under client control. For example, one might want an annotated forecast of a company's stock price from three simple services, viz., stock price data, forecasting and annotation. We propose meta-scripts as a solution. A client accesses a meta-script, which contains procedures for accessing and composing simpler services. Meta-identifiers are used in the meta-script instead of static links. Developments in type-consistency mechanisms and various enabling services of the Web help in realization of the meta-script based approach. This model of service composition separates control from data manipulation, and gives this control to a client. As clients are empowered with the selection and coordination of service providers, this can lead to a free market for services.

Access services for the Networking Broadband Services architecture

Abstract: This paper describes how Networking BroadBand Services (NBBS) provides multiple protocol support over emerging high-bandwidth networks. It describes the problems associated with handling these multiple protocols that are seen now more than ever in the emerging asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) infrastructure. The paper addresses the access services of NBBS and how the NBBS transport functions are used to provide these access services. A detailed example of one access service component is given to provide the reader with a feeling for typical access services issues. Brief examples of access services are given to show how the concepts described are being used.

Identification and definition of unbundled electric generation and transmission services

Abstract: State and federal regulators, private and public utilities, large and small customers, power brokers and marketers, and others are engaged in major debates about the future structure of the electric industry. Although the outcomes are far from certain, it seems clear that customers will have much greater choices about the electric services they purchase and from whom they buy these services. This report examines the ``ancillary`` services that are today buried within the typical vertically integrated utility. These ancillary services support and make possible the provision of the basic services of generating capacity, energy supply, and power delivery. These ancillary services include: Management of generating units; reserve generating capacity to follow variations in customer loads, to provide capacity and energy when generating units or transmission lines suddenly fall, to maintain electric-system stability, and to provide local-area security; transmission-system monitoring and control; replacement of real power and energy losses; reactive-power management and voltage regulation; transmission reserves; repair and maintenance of the transmission network; metering, billing, and communications; and assurance of appropriate levels of power quality. Our focus in this report, the first output from a larger Oak Ridge National Laboratory project, is on identification and definition of these services. Later work in this project will examine more closely the costs and pricing options for each service.

Pricing of Services

Abstract: Although both are viewed as products, services as intangibles can be distinguished from goods. Intangibility means that services cannot be grasped mentally, cannot be identified physically, but must be experienced for the customer to gain knowledge of with the intent to purchase. Services are not manufactured and shipped to the customer. Rather, services are dominated by experienced qualities and attributes that can be meaningfully evaluated only after purchase and during production-consumption.’ In combining goods and services into the same product package, goods give tangibility to services (for example, as souvenirs do to entertainment) while services augment goods (as, for instance, customer service does cars).

Restart services for highly available systems

Abstract: This paper proposes a design methodology for building highly available systems. In addition, we describe a set of operating system services that can be used to achieve this goal. The techniques described are intended for a parallel environment and can be generalized for any distributed system. We describe a methodology for providing basic services for high availability, specific services for restart and an implementation of these services.

Techniques for routeing and scheduling services on a transmission network

Abstract: A problem is presented that requires both routeing and scheduling of multiple services on a circuit switched transmission network. The techniques investigated were simulated annealing, classifier systems, hill climbing and random search. Two groups of test problems were used and the preliminary results are presented which provide a ranking of various techniques