Frédérique Mayer

Category Theory Based Approach for IMS Modelling

Abstract Main researches and developments in IMS, MAS (Multi-Agent System) and HMS (Holonic Manufacturing System) for manufacturing plant control and management as well as manufacturing enterprise networking are based on ICTs (Information & Communication Technologies) based approaches. Beyond these technology-driven approaches, the field of ‘Intelligence in Manufacturing’ requires sound scientific foundations in order to meet systematisation in modelling as originally addressed by (Yoshikawa, 1995). In this way, this paper deals with principles and elements of the Category Theory as a coherent mathematical framework in order to move to more prescriptive and ‘bottom-up’ modelling approaches able to better understand and model the dynamical emergent properties of new agile manufacturing systems.

Improving Models for Better Knowledge Interoperability in Product Design Process

Abstract One of the characteristics of concurrent engineering is based on communication, information and knowledge sharing into multi-disciplinary teams. The problem is that people have to share the same meanings of concepts, whereas they do not have the same conceptual and linguistic referential. The question we ask are: how can we integrate their different points of view models? and how can we improve models semantic dimension to enable interoperability? To answer these questions, we propose to integrate ontologies into ORM models.

From information technologies to knowledge technologies

In spite of the large variety of technological means available today to obtain and share knowledge needed by the progress of our Society, the relation between the knowledge produced and the knowledge required is not sufficiently facilitated. This paper aims to provide a partial answer to this issue. It proposes a NIAM/ORM formalization of exchanges between producers and users of knowledge. The resulting model is used to analyse and to discuss the deficiencies of the current technologies as well as to outline some ways of evolutions for better collaborative knowledge exchanges.

Application of Mathematical Principles to the Formalization of a System-Based Modelling Framework: Application to Enterprise Systems

The aim of this paper is to propose a system-based modelling framework to understand and model an enterprise (e.g. an SME) in order to design and implement integrated business solutions (e.g. Enterprise Resource Planning ERP) while keeping the legacy of the SMEs original human-centred organisation. We have used mathematical principles to formalise the system characteristics and mechanisms and to propose a formal system-based modelling framework.

A Design Method for Educational Multimedia Software

Abstract We describe a design method for educational multimedia software using the principles of concurrent engineering. This requires a close collaboration between the social scientists and the engineers approaches and a mutual questioning at every stage of the design process. Thus we present how the educational specifications, the processing/management of data and the multimedia product itself can be developed as well as the relationships each step has with the others. We also take a detailed look at the effect of introducing multimedia tools in education. Our general design method is then applied to the on-going realization of a specific multimedia project