ICE'2002 Lugano, Rome, Italy

Proceedings of the ICE 2002, the 8^th International Conference on Concurrent Enterprising, Rome, Italy, 2002-06-17/19, contains 71 papers structured in 11 sections covering different technologies like Enterprise modelling, Knowledge management, Product Data Management, Project Management and application areas as Business to Business, Concurrent Engineering, eWork and eBusiness, Mobile Engineering, Smart Organisations, and Training and Education. In the following highlights of the papers are presented following the sequence in the proceedings:

 Business to Business (B2B): to provide information on relevant structures within networks. The social, communicative and cognitive competencies of managers acting in networks are defined and analysed using the role concept to define and identify the relational structures. This information is to be used in human resource management (Teich et al). To reduce complexity of business process integration in the German electrical industry a set of process components and a standardised document exchange format are provided. Process components are core, support and administrative processes (Otto, Beckmann). The VIVE methodology on evaluation of benefits and advantages of VEs developed in the ACTIVE project has been evaluated in three different business cases. Results indicate that the VIVE methodology was essential for the establishment of the three VEs as well as enabling significant savings in costs and duration (Santoro, Conte). VE applicable law and jurisdiction is extensively discussed (Weitzenböck). Fractal company as an example of change in corporate management (Sihn). Secure data sharing in extended enterprise has been achieved by applying the security approach developed in the ENHANCE and SPINEware projects (Schultheiss et al).

 Applying Concurrent Engineering (CE): CE tools and methods for developing organisational and functional models used in four SME networks have been evaluated for their contribution for the success of these networks. Results are reported (Tononi, Amorosi). CE has been extended into the supply chain of an automotive manufacturer (Fleischer) and analysed for general application by defining a supplier involvement portfolio recognising both development risk and supplier autonomy (Harbi et al). A framework is used to configure working situations in design processes according to design goals, methods and technology (Kristensen et al). CE is extended into the TQM environment and in particular for ISO 9000 (Najim, Fan). A methodology to implement CE tools into interregional SME networks is described and results from three case studies are reported (Delabarre et al).

 Enterprise Modelling (EM): verification of existing modelling standards (EN ISO 19440) uses UML meta-modelling and the formal B method to establish and verify modelling constructs (Panetto et al). The integrate product development process of an aircraft manufacturer is modelled using a specific context based approach, which starts with a top down macro model and continues with bottom up particular sub-models. The latter are then connected, modelling the needed interfaces (Mendes et al). A process oriented approach has been chosen to support the transition from a traditional enterprise to a VE. VE life cycle and corresponding 8 stage transition process are defined and results from an implementation are reported (Yingjun et al). Business activities for planning and introducing e-business systems can be defined and described using EM and enterprise engineering methods (Jochem).

 Knowledge Management (KM): enterprise KM is supported by scorecards, enabling managers to identify companies strength and weaknesses in KM (Cormican). Information retrieval in concurrent enterprises can be enhanced through views on information subsets (Tönshoff et al). A human-centred solution framework for KM provides for identification of key pre-requisites and enablers for inter-organisational KM. A checklist is provided to assess the preconditions of inter-organisational co-operation (Wunram et al). The NIMCUBE project has developed a new performance measurement framework and a supporting infrastructure and measurement catalogue together with an enabling technology. The results from three implementations are reported (Roth et al). Knowledge-intensive co-operation in regional production networks has been investigated in a project supported by Germany (Wagner, Edelmann). The knowledge oriented co-operation for the development of protective clothing is supported by methods like Case-Based Reasoning during the knowledge creation and transformation phases (Fischer). Active knowledge models are used to investigate the introduction of the EXTERNAL project collaborative eWork infrastructure. Paper focus is on communication, learning and trust (Lillehagen et al). Development and introduction of human-oriented software are the main aspects of a proposed framework for human aspects of IT driven KM solutions (Denkena et al). The timely supply of legacy design documents is supported by an argument modelling technique in conjunction with an integrated knowledge and information management system (ENRICH) (Allen et al). A SME solution for KM in the extended enterprise with focus on customer requirements and after sales support is developed in the Know It and Promise projects (Sorli et al). A process management framework for collaborative network of manufacturing and design companies using flow graphs is proposed that allows to capture the process hierarchy and facilitated process configuration. XML serves as mechanism for sharing and customising process knowledge (Chung et al). The concept of competence networks has been developed in the PreServe project for co-operation between maintenance and service in the manufacturing sector. The network development methodology and the supporting IT solution are described (Bullinger, Gudszend). Status drawbacks and user requirements of current KM and extended enterprise practise in the service and maintenance domain are analysed and an outlook on results from current work is presented (Stach, Bredehorst).

 eWork and eBusiness: The WHALES project produces a software application for implementation of truly integrated network enterprise organisational models that provides features for CE management and project collaboration (Stevens et al). In the Co-OPERATE project a system is implemented that supports co-operation between customers and suppliers in complex production networks (Rupp). A collaborative application platform for SMEs is presented that provides for collaborative product design. PDM, manufacturing information management and e-business services (Minbo et al). A unified communication and collaboration model infrastructure has been developed in the UNITE project that serves as a base for systems that integrate servers and tools (Vortman, Hochberg). The utilisation of enterprise information systems is analysed and developed. Results from an industrial application are reported (Kettunen et al). Feature-based design in the automotive industry is supported by a ‘Feature’ portal (Schwarz et al).

 Smart, Dynamic Organisations: collaborative aeroplane development is supported by a web based platform, which serves storage, negotiation and access to aeroplane information and processes. A first prototype solution has been developed (Karcher et al). SME needs in the aeronautical industry for integrated logistics support (ILS) in the area of collaborative work have been analysed. Three types of SMEs could be identified: wit no awareness; with awareness, but no use; with awareness and use of ILS (Azarin et al). The concept of virtual professional communities is discussed and typical examples are identified. Recommendation for future research are provided (Katzy, Ma).

 Mobile Engineering: combining ubiquitous computing and social user interface concepts the AMBIENCE project is doing research on context aware systems focussing on a platform for different environments like home, professional and embedded internet in public environments (Foka). Personal experience, communication and collaboration can be enhanced using augmented reality and service based mobility support. Modelling scenarios of mobile services will speed up the service development cycle (Pulli et al). The potential of mobile computing for the construction industry is described and a case study showed potential for significant improvements. Focus is on use of commercially available equipment and software (Rebolj et al). A prototype portal for processing of engineering data has been developed in the TEMA project that provides functionalities to handle online transactions (Mattioli et al).

 e-Business: to achieve a holistic approach for structuring e-business in enterprise networks the various aspects of e-business are structured into a more elaborate e-business conceptual model, whit the following components: application categories, application domains, basic conditions, principles, standards, strategies, technology enablers (Thoben et al). An application service provider platform providing e-consulting services and aimed at SMEs is developed by the VIVA project. Results from a requirements survey are reported (Keravel, Salvodelli). Solutions for information management issues will be provided by FactManager, a content oriented systems development environment. Results from government and media case studies support the claim (Cunningham). The approach for an e-service based business information system taken by the FloCI-EE project is based on internet and component technologies (Fürst et al). Knowledge logistics - a multi-agent ontology driven methodology - is used in a knowledge source network KSNet (Smirnov et al).

 Product Data Management (PDM): Web-enabled PDMs using internet technologies allow collaboration of all people involved in the co-operative product development process. Benefits are discussed (Ravichandran et al). XML-based web services are the base for collaboration in a STEP/XML environment (Storga et al). EDM/PDM systems are evaluated in terms of their processes (cost, quality, time) and tools (balanced score cards) (Schabacker, Wohlbold). A framework for product model integration based on parameters and model structure is proposed. The resulting software X-portal offers analysis of different product models and engineering data exchange between different CAx systems (Kleiner, Anderl). The state of the art of PDM technologies with some details on basic functionalities is presented (Colombo, Pierpaoli). A pilot project procedure for PDM oriented workflow management from customer requirements to product manufacturing is described (Vila et al). Supervision of both the product development and the certification process is achieved by translating their process models into workflow models and thereby ensure automated information transaction between participants. The modelling methods and case studies are presented (Eynard et al).

 Training and Education: to provide new curricula for mobile production engineering the capabilities of the ‘Notebook University’ Bremen developed as a German project have been utilised to offer interactive virtual courses with tutorial support for the students as well (Scholz-Reiter et al). The Start-Up Support for Entrepreneurs project has developed the Cage concept to bring together entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Results of the first support round are presented (Hussla et al). A method for teaching e-business has been developed and applied in a MBA program in Brazil (Trabasso). Experimental learning can be supported by multi player multi-media simulation games. A design methodology for the design of such players is proposed (Sakiroglu et al). Students collaborative learning has been supported by a web portal (Lopez et al).

 Project Management in Networked Organisations: a relational model of co-operation in the building industry is proposed that will allow the participants to navigate through the building project. An experimental tool implementing the model concepts is under development (Halin et al). The know-how transfer in project management between intra- and inter-organisational projects has been studied and transfer supporting means for network multi-project oriented companies are introduced (Laurikkala et al). The methodology concepts of simultaneous engineering in car producing and related industries (SICPARI) are presented and the derived communication matrix for innovative project management is introduced (Brown et al). Co-ordination by hierarchical negotiations in an enterprise network uses an hierarchical agent approach (Besembel et al). Two tools for virtual project management systems are analysed and preliminary results are reported (Katzy, Ma).

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