bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Proposal of a Market of Resources
Authors: Cunha Maria Manuela , Putnik Goran D.
Published: April 2011

A review of VE integration-related literature reveals that although considerable research has been undertaken focusing on selection of cooperation partners, development of infrastructures (mechanisms and tools) to support VE management and coordination, insufficient attention has been devoted to the problem of creating the environment where these processes take place (i.e., the environment to enable an efficient and effective dynamic integration, offering strategies for dynamically align the virtual enterprise with business to support dynamic reconfiguration). The concept of A/VE we are addressing is broader, more embracing and more dynamic than the concepts of Virtual Enterprise or Extended Enterprise found in the literature, as these do not require the dynamic integration we defend for agility, and for which we propose the implementation of a Market of Resources. This chapter introduces the concept of a Market of Resources as an environment to cope with the A/VE model requirements (i.e., an environment for Agile/Virtual Enterprise integration and business alignment) identifying the relevantrequisites related with A/VE design and integration, and defining its participants. It also illustrates the technical requirements to support the Market of Resources and how exiting technologies support the main processes of the Market of Resources.
Information and Communication Technologies
Authors: Cunha Maria Manuela , Putnik Goran D.
Published: April 2011

“The introduction of reliable, low-cost electronic computers into the economy was the most revolutionary technical innovation of the twentieth century” (Freeman & Soete, 1997, p. 158). “The fact that a new technology has many potential applications does not mean that all of these will occur simultaneously, or even over a short period. On the contrary, the assimilation of a major new technology into the economic and social system is a matter of decades, not years, and is related to the phenomenon of long cycles in the economy” (Freeman & Soete, 1997, p. 184). This was what, in fact, Schumpeter (1939) suggested. The focus of information technology within organizations has shifted over the last thirty years, from improving the efficiency of business processes within organizations, to improving the effectiveness of the whole value chain. During the sixties and seventies, businesses focused on the use of mainframes to process large quantities of data. In the 80s, businesses focused on using personal desktopcomputers to improve personal efficiency. The last decade has seen the use of information and communication technologies to create electronic networks within and between organizations. The information and communication technologies (ICT) of today consist on advanced communication systems that, combined with advanced information technologies, allow the overcoming of time and space conditionings, by means of: (1) communication networks (telephonically, satellite, cable, etc.) that transport information, (2) basic services (electronic mail, interactive video) that allow the utilization of networks, and (3) applications (electronic commerce, electronic marketplaces, teleoperation, electronic business) offering specialized solutions for groups of users. Information and communication technologies and systems are the support of concepts as distributed systems, computer-supported cooperative work, electronic commerce, electronic marketplaces, teleoperation, virtual prototyping, concurrent engineering, telemedicine, telework, etc., most of which, more deeply or less deeply, are connected with the implementation of some of the emerging ICT-based organizational models, to which the present book is a contribution. In this chapter we present some of the main ICT and some ICT-based techniques and applications that can support and enable the new organizational models, in particular, that can support Agile/Virtual Enterprise integration. Addressed is the impact of the new information and communication technologies. This chapter also reviews some of the most relevant technologies that can contribute to support the A/VE model, and introduces relevant applications of these information and communication technologies, some of then considered of relevance to the implementation of the Market of Resources. Finally, this chapter addresses the issue of information integration, presenting recent developments.
Traditional Technologies to Support Agile/Virtual Enterprise Integration
Authors: Cunha Maria Manuela , Putnik Goran D.
Published: April 2011

Since the mid-nineties, a considerable number of research and development projects and industrial initiatives have been undertaken to define infrastructures and supporting functionalities for Virtual Enterprise integration (i.e., computer supported tools and environments to support any or all of the following functions of the VE life cycle: VE design, search, negotiation, selection and integration of resources into a VE, and coordination functions). Examples of such developments towards VE integration include: • Agent technology, a promising approach to support electronic market brokerage and electronic negotiation; and • Environments for virtual enterprise integration, as the electronic marketplaces, most of them supporting transaction facilities, negotiation and electronic contracting.This chapter explains how “traditional” Internet-based tools (WWW search engines, WWW directories, electronic mail and e-marketplaces) can be used to support some of the functionalities required by the A/VE model, analyses costs of subcontracting, and introduces a cost-and-effort model that traduces the activities of A/VE integration that can be undertaken with the support of these traditional tools.
Performance Analysis
Authors: Cunha Maria Manuela , Putnik Goran D.
Published: April 2011

Chapter VII discussed how traditional Internet-based technologies could support Agile/Virtual Enterprise integration. Chapter VIII presented the specification of the Market of Resources as an enabler of this organizational model and Chapter IX introduced its development. This chapter discusses the ability of the Market of Resources to cope with the requirements of Agile/Virtual Enterprises and compares its performance with the performance of traditional Internet-based technologies. It starts with the explanation of the cost-and-effort analysis undertaken, based on the cost-and-effort models introduced in Chapters VII and VIII, followed by the parameterization of this models, by identifying its time constants. This chapter presents a comparative study of performance between the traditional Internet-based tools and the Market of Resources, based on the results of an analytical simulation of the cost and effort of the Market of Resources compared with the utilization of traditional tools in the support of A/VE integration. Finally it identifies the solution space where the Market of Resources presents more efficiency in A/VE integration.
Market of Resources
Authors: Cunha Maria Manuela , Putnik Goran D.
Published: April 2011

Electronic Marketplaces (e marketplaces) appear to be a promising solution to B2B e-commerce, however its role, as well as the role of other solutions we have identified that can be used to help or to partially support A/VE integration, must go beyond helping to identify suppliers, improving the efficiency of purchasing transactions, etc., as also confirmed by several credible analysts and information technology research sources. Simultaneously, and considering the perspective of the recent virtual enterprise models, we could not see any other environment to cope with its requirements than the integrated environments as the one we are proposing: a Market of Resources or similar solutions. In this chapter we analyze the context in which the Market of Resources appears, identifying favorable existing conditions and reviewing forecasts by credible analysts and consultancy houses, present a SWOT1 analysis, present some critical success factors associated with the exploitation of the Market of Resources, identify the targeted users, and finally explore some potential opportunities and expected benefits. This chapter also identifies the opportunities for the Market of Resources, presenting the e-marketplaces’ evolution, the failure of the first generation of e-marketplaces and presenting some research forecasts for B2B Internet-based transactions. In addition, it highlights the main strengths and weaknesses of the Market of Resources’ ability to support the A/VE model requirements and the main opportunities and threats associated to its exploitation, using a SWOT analysis. This chapter presents the set of critical success factors for the Market of Resources, their definition or explanation and the competitive advantage that each critical success factor confers. It identifies the target users of the Market of Resources and reflects on the opportunities and expected benefits presented by the creation of the Market of Resources to its targeted users and to the implementation of the A/VE organisational model. Finally, it presents some conclusions and future trends.
Security Architectures
Authors: Gastellier-Prevost Sophie
Published: April 2011

Within a more and more complex environment, where connectivity, reactivity and availability are mandatory, companies must be “electronically accessible and visible” (i.e., connection to the Web, e-mail exchanges, data sharing with partners, etc.). As such, companies have to protect their network and, given the broad range of security solutions on the IT security market, the only efficient way for them is to design a global secured architecture. After giving the reader all the necessary materials and explaining classical security and services needs, this chapter proposes three different realistic security-level architectures that may be currently deployed within companies. For more realistic analysis and illustration, two examples of companies with different size and profile are given. A number of advices, explanations and guidelines are provided in this chapter so readers are able to adapt those architectures to their own companies and both security and network needs.
Interoperability Among Instrusion Detection Systems
Authors: Ferire Mário M.
Published: April 2011

This chapter addresses the problem of interoperability among intrusion detection systems. It presents a classification and a brief description of intrusion detection systems, taking into account several issues such as information sources, analysis of intrusion detection systems, response options for intrusion detection systems, analysis timing, control strategy, and architecture of intrusion detection systems. It is also discussed the problem of information exchange among intrusion detection systems, being addressed the intrusion detection exchange protocol and a format for the exchange of information among intrusion detection systems, called by intrusion detection message exchange format. The lack of a format of the answers or countermeasures interchanged between the components of intrusion detection systems is also discussed as well as some future trends in this area.
Security in E-Health Applications
Authors: Sucurovic Snezana
Published: April 2011

This chapter presents security solutions in integrated patient-centric Web-based health-care information systems, also known as electronic healthcare record (EHCR). Security solutions in several projects have been presented and in particular a solution for EHCR integration from scratch. Implementations of Public key infrastructure, privilege management infrastructure, role based access control and rule based access control in EHCR have been presented. Regarding EHCR integration from scratch architecture and security have been proposed and discussed. This integration is particularly suitable for developing countries with wide spread Internet while at the same time the integration of heterogeneous systems is not needed. The chapter aims at contributing to initiatives for implementation of national and transnational EHCR in security aspect.
Interactive Access Control and Trust Negotiation for Autonomic Communication
Authors: Koshutanski Hristo
Published: April 2011

Autonomic communication and computing is the new paradigm for dynamic service integration over a network. In an autonomic network, clients may have the right credentials to access a service but may not know it; equally, it is unrealistic to assume that service providers would publish their policies on the Web so that clients could do policy evaluation themselves. To solve this problem, the chapter proposes a novel interactive access control model: Servers should be able to interact with clients asking for missing credentials, whereas clients may decide to comply or not with the requested credentials. The process iterates until a final agreement is reached or denied. Further, the chapter shows how to model a trust negotiation protocol that allows two entities in a network to automatically negotiate requirements needed to access a service. A practical implementation of the access control model is given using X.509 and SAML standards.
Limitations of Current Anti-Virus Scanning Technologies
Authors: Mukkamala Srinivas
Published: April 2011

Malware has become more lethal by using multiple attack vectors to exploit both known and unknown vulnerabilities and can attack prescanned targets with lightning speed. In the future, it is important that the scanners are capable of detecting polymoraphic (obfuscated or variant) and metamorphic (mutated or evolved) versions of malware, however current scanning techniques for malware detection have serious limitations. Simple software obfuscation a general technique that is used to protect the software from reverse engineering techniques can circumvent the current detection mechanisms (anti-virus tools). In this chapter, we describe common attacks on anti-virus tools and a few obfuscation techniques applied to recent viruses that were used to thwart commercial grade anti-virus tools. Similarities among different malware and their variants are also presented in this chapter. The signature used in this method is the percentage of application programming interface (APIs) appearing in the malware type. The hypothesis is that mutants and variants will not stray far from the original. Table 5 shows serious limitations of commercial grade anti-virus scanners in detecting simple obfuscation attacks. Table 6 shows the percentages of similarity of a particular malware when compared to others. One important thing to note is that even the polymorphic ZMist uses the same set of APIs on all three variants.
Phishing
Authors: Bose Indranil
Published: April 2011

Phishing is a new form of online crime where the unsuspecting user is tricked into revealing his/her personal information. It is usually conducted using social engineering or technical deceit–based methods. The various ways in which phishing can take place are described in this chapter. This is followed by a description of key strategies that can be adopted for protection of end users and organizations. The end user protection strategies include desktop protection agents, password management tools, secure e-mail, simple and trusted browser setting, and digital signature. Among corporate protection strategies are such measures as e-mail personalization, mail server authentication, monitoring transaction logs, detecting unusual downloading activities, token based and multifactor authentication, domain monitoring, and Web poisoning. Some of the commercially available and popular anti-phishing products are also described in this chapter.
Information System Life Cycles and Security
Authors: Zuccato Albin
Published: April 2011

Organizations are required by legal provision to include information system security into their day- today management activities. To do this effectively and efficiently, it is necessary that information security management integrates into the overall system life cycle. Here I will present a system life cycle and suggest which aspects of security should be covered at which life cycle stage of the system. Based on this, I will present a process framework that due to its iterativity and detailedness accommodates the needs for life cycle oriented security management.
Software Specification and Attack Languages
Authors: Hussein Mohammed
Published: April 2011

General-purpose software specification languages are introduced to model software by providing a better understanding of their characteristics. Nevertheless, these languages may fail to model some nonfunctional requirements such as security and safety. The necessity for simplifying the specification of nonfunctional requirements led to the development of domain-specific languages (e.g., attack description languages). Attack languages are employed to specify intrusion detection related aspects like intrusion signatures, normal behavior, alert correlation, and so forth. They provide language constructs and libraries that simplify the specification of the aforementioned intrusion detection aspects. Attack languages are used heavily due to the rapid growth of computer intrusions. The current trend in software development is to develop the core functionalities of the software based on the requirements expressed in general-purpose software specification languages. Then, attack languages and other security mechanisms are used to deal with security requirements. However, using two sets of languages may result in several disadvantages such as redundant and conflicting requirements (e.g., usability vs. security). Moreover, incorporating security at the latter stages of a software life cycle is more difficult and time consuming. Many research works propose the unification and reconciliation of software engineering and security engineering in various directions. These research efforts aim to enable developers to use the current software engineering tools and techniques to specify security requirements. In this chapter, we present a study on the classification of software specification languages and discuss the current state of the art regarding attack languages. Specification languages are categorized based on their features and their main purposes. A detailed comparison among attack languages is provided. We show the example extensions of the two software specification languages to include some features of the attack languages. We believe that extending certain types of software specification languages to express security aspects like attack descriptions is a major step towards unifying software and security engineering.
Assessing Enterprise Risk Level
Authors: Vraalsen Fredrik , Mahler Tobias
Published: April 2011

This chapter gives an introduction to the CORAS approach for model-based security risk analysis. It presents a guided walkthrough of the CORAS risk analysis process based on examples from risk analysis of security, trust and legal issues in a collaborative engineering virtual organisation. CORAS makes use of structured brainstorming to identify risks and treatments. To get a good picture of the risks, it is important to involve people with different insight into the target being analysed, such as end users, developers, and managers. One challenge in this setting is to bridge the communication gap between the participants, who typically have widely different backgrounds and expertise. The use of graphical models supports communication and understanding between these participants. The CORAS graphical language for threat modelling has been developed especially with this goal in mind.
Web Accessibility and the Needs of Users with Disabilities
Authors: Dellaporta Aspasia
Published: April 2011

This chapter discusses Web accessibility, and focuses on the challenge of meeting the needs of a diverse audience with different types of disabilities, as well as outlining best practices.It presents the nature and need for Web accessibility, focusing on the UK legislation, and argues that e-accessibility goes beyond legal obligations offering life-enhancing opportunities and services, and promoting inclusion. The dynamics between the Web and its diverse audience are emphasized by giving an overview of the multiple facets of Web accessibility. It has been observed that accessibility is often discussed as affecting blind people only, and discussions frequently isolate a few aspects of it. The author hopes that, by demonstrating and offering ways of understanding Web accessibility and its multilayered nature, the ground will be laid for a more effective and inclusive approach towards Web accessibility as a process in Web design and development.
Designing Children's Multimedia
Authors: Patel Bridget
Published: April 2011

This chapter’s overarching aim is to elucidate young children’s perspectives about, and contribute to, a better understanding of what makes ”good” educational multimedia Web design. Focusing on Web design from the child’s perspective has the potential to illuminate the multifaceted sociocultural-technological context in which they learn. Underpinning the chapter is a social-constructivist view of learning applied to Web design for young children. The chapter covers (1) “engagement” as a key criterion for successful design; (2) how children make meaning in a Web-based environment; (3) theoretically grounded models of multimedia design including learner-centered design, activity theory, and models of participatory design with children. The chapter is informed by, and reports on, a qualitative case study using a child-centered participatory design approach with Year 2 children (6 and 7 year olds).
Ageing and its Implications for Elderly Web Experience
Authors: Hisham Syariffanor , Edwards Alistair
Published: April 2011

This chapter discusses ageing-related issues and their implications to the Web experience of elderly users. Particular emphasis is placed on ageing in a developing region, highlighting some cases from Malaysia. The first section consists of a brief review regarding ageing functional abilities and their implications for Web interaction. Examples are given based on studies by other researchers in this area, covering major age-related impairments, namely visual and mental impairment. The potential benefits of the Internet and the elderly user as an ideal partner is examined. The second section presents more examples of the Internet as a platform for elderly people to pursue self-fulfilment. This can be achieved through the available facilities, including communication, services, personal enjoyment, and lifelong education, that facilitate an independent life and valued membership of society. The third section investigates some of the barriers that inhibit elderly users in utilisingWeb features. These include issues regarding interface design, assistive devices, and software aids for elderly users. A summary of the ICT penetration among elderly users in Malaysia is included after the three main sections. Finally, the chapter is concluded with some ideas concerning the cultural and demographic differences in determining new trends, directions, and opportunities in advanced Web design specifically for elderly users.
Gender Issues in HCI Design for Web Access
Authors: Boiano Stefania , Borda Ann , Bowen Jonathan , Faulkner Xristine , Gaia Giuliano , McDaid Sarah
Published: April 2011

We consider the design and provision of Web sites, with respect to gender issues, from various perspectives. A general view of the field is given, and educational issues are specifically considered in relation to gender differences in the use of IT as an effective educational aid, especially by children. Human-computer interaction (HCI) models at different levels of abstraction are presented, together with how gender issues could impinge at each of these levels. A number of examples, both from the commercial and cultural fields, are discussed as design case studies of home pages for Web sites that exhibit gender-related orientation. Finally, looking to the future, online gaming is discussed in the context of usage. It is hoped that the guidance provided here will help minimize any gender discrimination on Web sites with respect to their interfaces, increasing general accessibility in the process.
From Computer-Mediated Colonization to Culturally Aware ICT Usage and Design
Authors: Ess Charles
Published: April 2011

A number of examples demonstrate that technologies of computer-mediated communication (CMC) embed and foster specific cultural values and communicative preferences. Differences between the values and preferences embedded in CMC and those of a given cultural group thereby lead to communication failures. Hofstede’s and Hall’s theories partially explain these failures and, by contrast, examples of successful online cross-cultural communication via CMC designed to incorporate important cultural and communicative differences.
Implementing Accessible Online Learning for Blind and Visually Impaired Students
Authors: O’Neill Hugh , Arned llo-Sanchez Inmaculada , Tangney Brendan
Published: April 2011

This chapter presents a framework for the design of accessible online learning environments for blind and visually impaired students in terms of accessibility and the design process. The conjunction of the Web content Accessibility Guidelines Version 1 and the Principles of Universal Design for Learning (Centre for Applied Special Technology) into the instructional design process forms the basis of our approach. The first cycle of this iterative study implements objectivist instructional design theory to teach blind and visually impaired students how to write Web pages in HTML. For future iterations, we argue for the implementation of objectivist instructional design theories to provide clarity of structure beneficial for blind and visually impaired learners, together with constructivist notions such as a clientcentred design approach and mechanisms for interaction to promote collaborative construction of knowledge.
Agile Software Methods
Authors: Mnkandla E. , Dwolatzky B.
Published: April 2011

This chapter is aimed at comprehensively analyzing and defining agile methodologies of software development from a software quality assurance perspective. A unique way of analyzing agile methodologies to reveal the similarities that the authors of the methods never tell you is introduced. The chapter starts by defining agile methodologies from three perspectives: a theoretical definition, a functional definition, and a contextualized definition. Then an agile quality assurance perspective is presented starting from a brief review of some of the traditional understandings of quality assurance to the innovations that agility has added to the world of quality. The presented analysis approach opens a window into an understanding of the state-of-the-art in agile methodologies and quality, and what the future could have in store for software developers. An understanding of the analysis framework for objectively analyzing and comparing agile methodologies is illustrated by applying it to three specific agile methodologies.
Agile Quality or Depth of Reasoning? Applicability vs. Suitability with Respect to Stakeholders' Needs
Authors: Berki E. , Siakas K. , Georgiadou E.
Published: April 2011

This chapter provides a basis for discussion and analysis of the quality characteristics of the agile information systems development (AISD) process, and exposes concerns raised regarding the applicability and suitability of agile methods in different organisational and national cultures. The arguments are derived from recent literature reviews and reports on the state-of-the-art in agile methodologies. We also reflect on our own research and experience in three European countries with different academic and work values, and information systems development (ISD) industrial practices based on diverse principles. Examining the different perceptions of quality in the agile software development paradigm by comparing and contrasting them to the quality perceptions in the established ISD methodological paradigms, we aim at: (i) exploring the relationship of traditional, agile, managed, and measured ISD processes, (ii) making the human dynamics that bear on the success and consensus acceptance of IS more explicit, and (iii) establishing a critical framework/approach for reflecting on the suitability and applicability of agile methods in the development and management of quality software systems.
Requirements Specification using User Stories
Authors: Monochristou V. , Vlachopoulou M.
Published: April 2011

Collecting and analyzing user requirements is undoubtedly a really complicated and often problematic process in software development projects. There are several approaches, which suggest ways of managing user’s requirements; some of the most well-known are IEEE 830 software requirements specification (SRS), use cases, interaction design scenarios, etc. Many software experts believe the real user requirements emerge during the development phase. By constantly viewing functional sub-systems of the whole system and participating, in fact, in all phases of system development, customers/users can revise their requirements by adding, deleting, or modifying them. However, in order for this to become possible, it is important to adopt a totally different approach than the traditional one (waterfall model approach), concerning not only the management of user’s requirements, but also the entire software development process in general. Agile methodologies represent this different approach since the iterative and incremental way of development they propose includes user requirements revision mechanisms and user active participation throughout the development of the system. The most famous approach concerning requirements specification among the supporters of the agile methodologies is probably user stories. User stories and their main characteristics are thoroughly demonstrated in this chapter. After reading this chapter, the authors hope that the reader may have gained all the basic understanding regarding the use of user stories.
Software Configuration Management in Agile Development
Authors: Bendix L.
Published: April 2011

Software configuration management (SCM) is an essential part of any software project and its importance is even greater on agile projects because of the frequency of changes. In this chapter, we argue that SCM needs to be done differently and cover more aspects on agile projects. We also explain how SCM processes and tools contribute both directly and indirectly to quality assurance. We give a brief introduction to central SCM principles and define a number of typical agile activities related to SCM. Subsequently, we show that there are general SCM guidelines for how to support and strengthen these typical agile activities. Furthermore, we establish a set of requirements that an agile method must satisfy to benefit the most from SCM. Following our general guidelines, an agile project can adapt the SCM processes and tools to its specific agile method and its particular context.
Improving Quality by Exploiting Human Dynamics in Agile Methods
Authors: Sfetsos P. , Stamelos I.
Published: April 2011

Theory and experience have shown that human factors are critical for the success of software engineering practices. Agile methods are even more sensitive in such factors because they rely heavily on personal efforts with limited guidance from process manuals, allowing freedom in choosing solutions, interpersonal communications, etc. This fact raises important issues for the management of software engineers that are expected to apply agile methods effectively. One such issue at the agile organization executive level is human resource management, which should take into account agile development peculiarities, work competencies needed, agile workforce planning, etc. Another issue at the micro-management level is agile workforce management within the development process (e.g., team planning for a specific task or project) where individual human features will undoubtedly affect delivered quality and ultimately the task/project degree of success. This chapter deals with one problem at each level of management in an agile company applying extreme programming, one of the most diffused agile methods. In particular, the first part of the chapter proposes and discusses a model for personnel management based on the well known People-CMM1 assessment and improvement model, while the second one proposes a model that exploits developer personalities and temperaments to effectively allocate and rotate developers in pairs for pair programming.
Teaching Agile Software Development Quality Assurance
Authors: Hazzan O.
Published: April 2011

This chapter presents a teaching framework for agile quality—that is, the way quality issues are perceived in agile software development environments. The teaching framework consists of nine principles, the actual implementation of which is varied and should be adjusted for different specific teaching environments. This chapter outlines the principles and addresses their contribution to learners’ understanding of agile quality. In addition, we highlight some of the differences between agile software development and plan-driven software development in general, and with respect to software quality in particular. This chapter provides a framework to be used by software engineering instructors who wish to base students learning on students’ experiences of the different aspects involved in software development environments.
Agile Software Development Quality Assurance
Authors: Kile J.
Published: April 2011

Of great interest to software development professionals is whether the adaptive methods found in agile methodologies can be successfully implemented in a highly disciplined environment and still provide the benefits accorded to fully agile projects. As a general rule, agile software development methodologies have typically been applied to non-critical projects using relatively small project teams where there are vague requirements, a high degree of anticipated change, and no significant availability or performance requirements (Boehm & Turner, 2004). Using agile methods in their pure form for projects requiring either high availability, high performance, or both is considered too risky by many practitioners (Boehm et al., 2004; Paulk, 2001). When one investigates the various agile practices, however, one gets the impression that each may still have value when separated from the whole. This chapter discusses how one team was able to successfully drive software development quality improvements and reduce overall cycle time through the introduction of several individual agile development techniques. Through the use of a common-sense approach to software development, it is shown that the incorporation of individual agile techniques does not have to entail additional risk for projects having higher availability, performance, and quality requirements.
Quality Improvements from using Agile Development Methods
Authors: Hwong B.
Published: April 2011

In the past few years, Siemens has gained considerable experience using agile processes with several projects of varying size, duration, and complexity. We have observed an emerging pattern of quality assurance goals and practices across these experiences. We will provide background information on the various projects upon which our experiences are based, as well as on the agile processes used for them. Following the brief discussion of goals and practices, this chapter will present the lessons learned from the successes and failures in practicing quality assurance in agile projects. We aim at informing fellow agile developers and researchers about our methods for achieving quality goals, as well as providing an understanding of the current state of quality assurance in agile practices.
An Inter-Organizational Business Process Study from Agents Interaction Perspective
Authors: Barjis Joseph , Chong Samuel
Published: April 2011

It is observed that agent (or software agent) based systems largely imitate organizations of human actors. Thus, the nature of agent based systems can be better understood by first studying the ordinary human actors or organizations that own the agent based systems. In this chapter we first study agent systems and discuss characteristics of software agents, then we introduce a generic pattern of agents interaction derived from the communication patterns of human actors. Agent based systems are studied in the context of inter-organizational business process using diagrams and notations adapted by the authors. The methods and concepts used in this chapter are based on the Semiotics approach and the Language Action Perspective. For the illustration of our concept of agent based systems, we discuss a case study conducted based on a real life business.
An Agent-Based Framework for Emergent Process Management
Authors: Debenham John
Published: April 2011

Emergent processes are business processes whose execution is determined by the prior knowledge of the agents involved and by the knowledge that emerges during a process instance. The amount of process knowledge that is relevant to a knowledge-driven process can be enormous and may include common sense knowledge. If a process’ knowledge can not be represented feasibly then that process can not be managed; although its execution may be partially supported. In an e-market domain, the majority of transactions, including trading orders, requests for advice and information, are knowledge-driven processes for which the knowledge base is the Internet, and so representing the knowledge is not at issue. Multiagent systems are an established platform for managing complex business processes. What is needed for emergent process management is an intelligent agent that is driven not by a process goal, but by an in-flow of knowledge, where each chunk of knowledge may be uncertain. These agents should assess the extent to which it chooses to believe that the information is correct, and so they require an inference mechanism that can cope with information of differing integrity.
Beyond Intelligent Agents
Authors: Rodriguez Walter , Zalewski Janusz , Kirche Elisa
Published: April 2011

This paper presents a new concept for supporting electronic collaboration, operations, and relationships among trading partners in the value chain without hindering human autonomy. Although autonomous intelligent-agents, or electronic robots (e-bots), can be used to inform this endeavor, the paper advocates the development of e-sensors, i.e., software based units with capabilities beyond intelligent-agent’s functionality. E-sensors are hardware-software capable of perceiving, reacting and learning from its interactive experience thorough the supply chain, rather than just searching for data and information through the network and reacting to it. E-sensors can help avoid the ‘bullwhip’ effect. The paper briefly reviews the related intelligent-agent and supply-chain literature and the technological gap between fields. It articulates a demand-driven, sense-and-response system for sustaining e-collaboration and e-business operations as well as monitoring products and processes. As a proof of concept, this research aimed a test solution at a single supply-chain partner within one stage of the process.
An Automated Negotiation Mechanism for Agents Based on International Joint Ventures
Authors: Chen Yee Ming , Huang Pei-Ni
Published: April 2011

One consequence of market globalization has been the growing incidence of collaborative ventures among companies from different countries. Small and large, experienced and novice, companies increasingly are choosing partnerships as a way to compete in global marketplace. International joint ventures have emerged as the dominant form of partnership in light of intense global competition and the need for strategic organizational viability. The success of international joint ventures depend on many factors, but the most critical is vendors selecteion from among many suppliers based on their ability to meet the quantity requirements, delivery schedule, and the price limitation. The supplier selection negotiation mechanism is often the most complex, since it requires evaluation and decision-making under uncertainty, based on multiple attributes (criteria) of quantitative and qualitative nature, involving temporal and resource constraints, risk and commitment problems, varying tactics and strategies, domain specific knowledge and information asymmetries, etc.
An Agent-mediated Middleware Service Framework for e-Logistics
Authors: Luo Zongwei , Wang Minhong , Cheung William , Liu Jiming , Tong F. , Tan C. J.
Published: April 2011

Service-oriented computing promises an effective approach to seamless integration and orchestration of distributed resources for dynamic business processes along the supply chains. In this chapter, the integration and adaptation needs of next generation e-logistics which motivates the concept of a middleware integration framework are first explained. Then, an overview of a service oriented intelligent middleware service framework for fulfilling the needs is presented with details regarding how one can embed the autonomy oriented computing (AOC) paradigm in the framework to enable autonomous service brokering and composition for highly dynamic integration among heterogeneous middleware systems. The authors hope that this chapter can provide not only a comprehensive overview on technical research issues in the e-logistics field but also a guideline of technology innovations which are vital for next generation on-demand e-logistics applications.
A Multi-Agent System Approach to Mobile Negotiation Support Mechanism by Integrating Case-Based Reasoning and Fuzzy Cognitive Map
Authors: Lee Kun Chang , Namho Lee
Published: April 2011

This paper proposes a new type of multi-agent mobile negotiation support system named MAM-NSS in which both buyers and sellers are seeking for best deal given limited resources. Mobile commerce or m-commerce is now on the verge of explosion in many countries, triggering the need to develop more effective decision support system capable of suggesting timely and relevant action strategies for both buyers and sellers. To fulfill research purpose like this, two AI methods such as CBR (case-based reasoning) and FCM (fuzzy cognitive map) are integrated, and named MAM-NSS. Primary advantage of the proposed approach is that those decision makers involved in m-commerce regardless of buyers and sellers can benefit from the negotiation support functions that are derived from referring to past instances via CBR and investigating interrelated factors simultaneously through FCM. To prove the validity of the proposed approach, a hypothetical m-commerce problem is developed in which theaters (sellers) seek to maximize profit by selling its vacant seats to potential customers (buyers) walking around within reasonable distance. For experimental design and implementation, a multi-agent environment Netlogo is adopted. Simulation reveals that the proposed MAM-NSS could produce more robust and promising results that fit the characteristics of m-commerce.
Web Services Technology
Authors: Tzima Fani A. , Mitkas Pericles A.
Published: April 2011

This chapter examines the concept of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) in conjunction with the Web Services technology as an implementation of the former’s design principles. Following a brief introduction of SOA and its advantages, a high-level overview of the structure and composition of the Web Services platform is provided. This overview covers the core Web services specifications as well as features of the extended architecture stack, which together form a powerful and robust foundation for building distributed systems. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the scope of applicability of SOA and Web services. The overall goal of this chapter is to portray the key assets of the presented technologies and evaluate them as tools for handling adaptability, portability, and interoperability issues that arise in modern business environments.
Adaptive Service Choreography Support in Virtual Enterprises
Authors: Svirskas Adomas , Roberts Bob , Ignatiadis Ioannis
Published: April 2011

Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) approach in general and the Web services technology in particular enable creation of business applications from independently developed, deployed and owned components called services. A service captures a distinct business function offering some value independently of its usage context. However, it is not enough to have the business functionality of the partners packaged as (Web) services; there is also a need for business-aligned order of interaction between these services a.k.a. business protocols, which can also be reused. The contribution of the chapter is two-fold: it explores reusability of the applicable business protocols in different business scenarios and also suggests possible ways to adapt the implementations of the partners’ services (end-points) to the changes in the business protocols.
Web Service Discovery and Composition for Virtual Enterprises
Authors: Dorn Jürgen , Hrastnik Peter , Rainer Albert
Published: April 2011

One main characteristic of virtual enterprises are short-term collaborations between business partners to provide efficient and individualized services to customers. The MOVE project targets at a methodology and a software framework to support such flexible collaborations based on process oriented design and communication by Web services. MOVE’s framework supports the graphical design and verification of business processes, the execution and supervision of processes in transaction-oriented environment, and the dynamic composition and optimization of processes. A business process may be composed from a set of Web services, deployed itself as Web service and executed in the framework. The composition of processes from Web services is implemented with methods from AI-planning. We apply answer set programming (ASP) and map Web service descriptions and customer requests into the input language of the ASP software DLV. Composition goals and constraints guide a composition challenge. We show the performance of our program and give some implementation details. Finally we conclude with some insights.
Towards a Virtual Enterprise Architecture for the Environmental Sector
Authors: Athanasiadis Ioannis N.
Published: April 2011

This chapter introduces a Virtual Enterprise architecture for environmental information management, integration and dissemination. On a daily basis, our knowledge related to ecological phenomena, the degradation of the natural environment and the sustainability of human activity impacts, is growing. As a consequence raises the need for effective environmental knowledge exchange and reuse. In this work, a solution among collaborating peers forming a Virtual Enterprise is investigated. Following an analysis of the main stakeholders, a service-oriented architecture is proposed. Technical implementation options, using web-services or software agents, are considered and issues related to environmental information management, ownership and standardization are discussed.
Web Service Design Concepts and Structures for Support of Highly Interconnected E-Health Infrastructures
Authors: Koumpis Adamantios
Published: April 2011

In the paper we present organizational aspects that appear when considering the case of interconnecting and integrating different compartments of a modern hospital. While the Information and Communication Technologies provide advanced and powerful means for the creation of coherent information supply services, such as the Web Service and Ontology technologies, there is a lack of appropriate organizational metaphors that will enable the successful assimilation of these technologies, helping to the improvement of critical cost parameters that concentrate a large part of the Hospital’s Management resources, while helping also improve the knowledge capital and the intangible and immaterial assets of any particular hospital, which are considered as the most essential and scarce resource. In the paper we presents a technology-based approach for solving interoperability problems at the service level, and we deliberately adopt a problem-solving approach that has successfully been adopted by the European IST Project ARTEMIS.