Enterprise Modelling
Papers and Reports:
eTransition, Special issue International Journal of
CIM, Guest Editor: Paul G. Ranky
The 12 papers of this special issue address a wide spectrum
of engineering methods and tools related to establishing and operating
collaborative and distributed digital enterprises.
-
The starting paper by Ranky, eTransition in the multi-lifecycle
CIM context, presents a transition methodology with an analytical model
driven approach integrating a set of identified activities, or processes,
embedded with continuous quality, requirement and process failure risk
analysis. In addition it identifies major transition areas and some solutions.
-
Camarinha-Matos, et al, Infrastructure developments for
agile virtual enterprises, present various approaches for the support
of such enterprises. The paper is structured according to the VE life cycle
phases Creation, Operation, Evolution and Dissolution. Results from a number
of projects in which the authors have mainly be involved themselves are
presented for each of the life cycle phases. The description of an application
scenario developed in one of the projects supports the reported results.
The paper completes with discussions of remaining issues of interoperability,
socio-economic, organisation and legal aspects.
Four papers address the subject of content oriented modelling
covering a wide range of applications from modelling of enterprise collaboration
to control software development support.
-
Ranky et al, eTransition models of collaborating design
and manufacturing enterprises, is using object/component oriented enterprise
modelling methods, models and software tools as well as a system architecture
in UML. The approach enables analysis of individual as well as eCommerce-linked
collaborative enterprises.
-
Ranky, Network simulation models of lean manufacturing
systems in digital factories, introduces network planning and engineering
management principles and rules. Simulation examples using the OPNET IT-Guru
network simulation package demonstrate the network effects in eTransition
environments.
-
Tyan, et al, Applying collaborative transportation management
(CTM) models in global third party logistics, tries to support global
supply chain management. CTM will reduce delivery time and improve delivery
reliability. A case study provides results demonstrating achievements of
the above claims.
-
Morton, et al, A state based modelling approach to develop
component based control software for flexible manufacturing systems,
has been demonstrated to show the reusability, ease of use and ease of
maintenance of software components with generic features programmed in
Java and JavaBeans.
Life cycle engineering: issues, tools and research
have been addressed in the paper by Wanyama, et al, with emphasis on design
for the environment and end of life disposition. Applications in the automotive
and the electronic and electromechanical industry are reviewed as well
as supporting tools.
Special aspects of eTransition are covered by the two
papers of Ranky and Chamyvelumani,
-
A method, a tool (CORA) and application examples for analysing
disassembly user interface design criteria and
-
An analytical approach, a software tool (DFRA) and application
examples for assessing process related failure risk.
The remaining three papers address human oriented aspects
in eTransition.
-
Dryer, et al, The model for e-engineering team adaptation
(MeTA): a project framework to improve the performance of global engineering
teams, describes a model for preparing engineering teams for changing engineering
environments like global competition and new partnering opportunities.
The model is process oriented and based on the spiral life cycle concept.
It tries to integrate process and product development in the e-engineering
environment with two main phases –e-engineering basics (team building)
and e-engineering application (actual engineering project). The MeTA has
been tested in a pilot study.
-
Ranky, A 3D web-enabled, case-based learning architecture
and knowledge documentation method for engineering, information technology,
management, and medical science/biomedical engineering, describes an
analytical, quantitative and open-source computational object oriented
methodology and architecture. Over 30 web-enabled library cases have been
implemented which cover a wide range of topics including rapid prototyping,
computer networking and the internet, requirements analysis and process
failure risk analysis, automotive telematics and the digital car, others.
-
Deek, A model for collaborative technologies in manufacturing,
considers characteristics of existing collaborative systems in manufacturing
and proposes a methodology-based object-oriented view of the system structure
addressing distributed cognition and social protocols with emphasis on
collaborative problem solving and human factors in collaboration.
International Journal of CIM, Vol. 16, Nr. 4-5 (2003)
Contact: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Return to main page