Frithjof Weber

The application of case based reasoning to decision support in new product development

This paper describes the application of case based reasoning (CBR) to decision support for design managers and engineers during the early phases of new product development projects, in a concurrent engineering environment. The paper discusses the rationale of using CBR, emphasising its suitability for ill‐defined, unstructured problems, in comparison with traditional knowledge‐based systems. The overall research approach is presented, the importance of case collection, case base maintenance and user training is highlighted and the pre‐requisites for effective use of the system are discussed. Finally, the benefits and costs of the CBR system, as perceived by the user companies, are discussed. The experimental nature of the approach is emphasised and it is shown that the industrial environment for which the system is designed and in which it is used has great bearing on its capability.

New Approaches for Training and Education of Engineers by Using Simulation Games

The ongoing trend of globalisation and growing world-wide competition of European indus-tries have changed the qualification needs of engineers. Human competencies such as team-work, co-operation, customer orientation, and entrepreneurial thinking are gaining more and more in importance. However, traditional education and training concepts in universities and industries do not fulfil the new requirements. This paper gives a short overview on qualifica-tion demands for concurrent engineering (CE) and distributed co-operation. It introduces the concepts of two new approaches, to meet the new requirements on engineering education and training by application of simulation games.

Capturing and assessing formal interaction at task level in product development

Abstract Concurrent engineering (CE) makes high demands on a companys information management and communication structure. Though the appropriate availability of information is known to be crucial for carrying out a task, daily work in product development is strongly affected by delays and hindrances due to communication problems resulting from the not readily available information. This paper presents a methodology, named formal interaction analysis (FIA), aiming at optimising the availability of information by creating awareness about existing problems and potentials and providing decision support for its improvement. The methodology addresses process capture and analysis in terms of tasks, their information needs and the communication means and patterns used to satisfy these needs. The paper outlines related approaches and their deficits, design factors in process design and embeds the methodology in an overall process design approach. An interaction meta model is presented and the single steps of a formal interaction analysis are explained.

Computer Based Initiatives for Implementing and Sustaining Concurrent Engineering

The concepts and principles of Concurrent Engineering (CE) have been around for over a decade. In fact the literature is full of examples, studies and surveys advocating the potential accruable benefits of implementing CE. However, how to introduce it in a guided and holistic manner has received lesser attention. This paper attempts to fill this gap by reporting on a 3.5-year research study exploring and investigating the pertinent issues for CE. The research project was called PACE - a ‘Practical Approach to Concurrent Engineering’, and was a European Commission funded project consisting of a pan-European consortium. Its aim was to provide a holistic technology transfer infrastructure enabling the effective change and improvement of present engineering practices towards CE principles. The paper explores these issues based on three research questions posed at the outset of this study. The paper is split into four major sections. The first introductory part provides the rationale for this research study in terms of motivation and why the need for such a project by reviewing past studies and developments in the CE domain. This section is followed by a conceptual model which forms the basis of a CE knowledge platform. The third section reports on a set of complementary decision support tools for CE in practice. It is then argued that implementing CE successfully requires a huge cultural change in an organisation. A generic implementation support framework forms the basis for the final section before the concluding summary. Two case studies are used to illustrate the implementation of research findings and developments in multinational companies.

Integration of bidding and procurement systems with e-marketplaces: case study of an Austrian tile layer

This paper describes the efforts to develop a modular bidding and procurement application and to integrate the system with a broker service for tiles and related products in the supply chain of the tile industry by means of the case study of an Austrian tile layer. The main drawbacks of the as-is situation as well as the requirements and envisaged to-be processes are briefly outlined. Furthermore, the chosen architecture and the envisaged functionality of the electronic marketplace and the supportive tools are introduced. The work has been carried out within the scope of the European project e.bip (IST-999-0710; start date: 1 March 2000; duration: 30 months; total efforts: >18 man-years), which aims to innovate the bidding and procurement processes in the tile supply chain.

Experiences and recommendations from redesigning the bid preparation process in supply chains in the construction industry

This position paper intends to share the experiences made in a European RTD project where the bid preparation process in the supply in three construction companies has been improved by means of information and communication technology [1]. The positive experiences demonstrate that significant improvements can be reached when systematic approaches are taken, high quality solutions are developed, and companies are committed. The paper summarises these experiences by formulating recommendations and some proposals for future research:

Integration of bidding and procurement systems with e-marketplaces: case study of an Austrian tile layer chain of the tile industry.

This paper describes the efforts to develop a modular bidding and procurement application and to integrate the system with a broker service for tiles and related products in the supply chain of the tile industry by means of the case study of an Austrian tile layer. The main drawbacks of the as-is situation as well as the requirements and envisaged to-be processes are briefly outlined. Furthermore, the chosen architecture and the envisaged functionality of the electronic marketplace and the supportive tools are introduced. The work has been carried out within the scope of the European project e.bip (IST-1999-10710; start date: 1st of March 2000; duration: 30 months; total efforts: >18 man-years), which aims to innovate the bidding and procurement processes in the tile supply chain.

Business Model and Internet Broker Concept for Efficient Electronic Bidding and Procurement in the Tile Industry

This chapter outlines different generic e-broker models and describes the requirements and necessary concepts for establishing a broker service for tiles and related products in the supply chain of the tile industry. The objective of the service is to introduce innovation into the bidding and procurement processes between tile manufacturers, wholesalers and building contractors. The actors, relations and goods of the supply chain are presented, and the architecture chosen for the electronic marketplace and the support tools are described. The core functionality of the broker service, e.g. data exchange, repository access and negotiation, is outlined by means of UML use cases.

Concurrent engineering in practice for small and medium enterprises: Findings from research and industrial pilot cases

Abstract While large companies are already actively pursuing the adoption of CE principles within their business processes, there is a need for supporting Small and Medium Enterprises to evolve their organizational and cultural schemes, as well as their technological and methodological approaches towards CE. The paper outlines the approach that has been undertaken. Furthermore, it describes a Software System for the support of SMEs in the introduction of CE by self-assessment, case presentation, and tool selection. Research results for the systems application are given.

Aircraft TechnologiesConcurrent engineering in practice for small and medium enterprises: Findings from research and industrial pilot cases

Abstract While large companies are already actively pursuing the adoption of CE principles within their business processes, there is a need for supporting Small and Medium Enterprises to evolve their organizational and cultural schemes, as well as their technological and methodological approaches towards CE. The paper outlines the approach that has been undertaken. Furthermore, it describes a Software System for the support of SMEs in the introduction of CE by self-assessment, case presentation, and tool selection. Research results for the systems application are given.