K.S. Chin

A fuzzy multi-criteria decision support procedure for enhancing information delivery in extended enterprise networks

Abstract Extended enterprise networks, which are information networks comprising enterprises that are mostly geographically dispersed but functionally integrated, are favorable to the creation of a collaborative industrial environment to support supply chain activities and smoothen data exchanges for the production of customized parts as well as products. However, there is a lack of research literature related to the generic approach which can enhance the automatic delivery of the right information to the right enterprise within an entire network. This paper introduces a fuzzy multi-criteria decision support (FMCDS) procedure for enhancing information delivery within extended enterprise networks complemented with a case study in mold and die industry. The FMCDS procedure, based on an analytic hierarchy process, breaks down the complex comparative problem of information receivers into hierarchical multi-criteria decision-making processes. The incorporation with fuzzy set is used to suggest the relative strengths of the corresponding criteria, thereby enabling the construction of a more useful fuzzy judgment procedure to facilitate decision-making. Case study findings indicate that the procedure is helpful to provide key decision support in terms of automatic delivery of desired information to the needed enterprise. By using the suggested novel procedure for push delivery of the needed information to relevant enterprises within an extended enterprise network, the proposed FMCDS procedure provides more alternatives and ideas for supporting effective decision-making in information delivery.

Virtual agent modeling of an agile supply chain infrastructure

In today’s volatile business environment, whether a company is able to compete in the local and global arena depends heavily on how effective the company can build up the partnership synergy with their business counterparts. Indeed, it is important that companies are able to monitor effectively on the manufacturing activities outside its boundary, such as business partners with dissimilar business nature and probably geographically isolated from each other. With the emergence of a dispersed manufacturing network, the important issue is the communication with the partners, collection of data, and making use of data. This paper calls for an effort to suggest practical and agile approaches and models to avoid a poorly managed supply chain in order to improve productivity and cost‐effectiveness to support the business. The agility of the supply chain models would also be concerned to ensure that there is enough adaptability in the system to respond and tackle problems that may occur in the turbulent market.

Performance improvement of international roaming service ‐ A benchmarking study

This paper discusses some concepts between quality performance and benchmarking. It explains the conduct of a benchmarking study in international roaming service of the telecommunications industry, and illustrates the benchmarking process in a telecommunication service provider – Cable & Wireless HKT based in Hong Kong. By comparing the service provisioning and fault handling processes with two best‐in‐class companies, the collected data was manipulated in order to position the current performance gaps and project the future performance level. The results suggest that the roaming service providers should establish a service level agreement with their partners and customers, and develop facilities of test activity list and customer acceptance test. In addition, they should employ appropriate performance indicators and measurements, establish direct communications with partners and customers, and monitor the market trend and responses of the roaming technologies and services.

An intelligent approach of knowledge searching within Internet-based distributive knowledge integrated environment

Abstract Used to integrate all kinds of knowledge coming from various locations, domains and disciplines, a framework of the Internet-based distributive knowledge integrated system (DKIS) is proposed. Since knowledge repositories are the key components of the DKIS, the efficiency and reliability of the knowledge searching affects the running performance of the DKIS system. We stress methods of efficiently retrieving knowledge from DKIS repositories. Based on artificial neural networks, fuzzy logic and rule reasoning, a novel approach to knowledge searching over the Internet is presented. The issue of knowledge layering is also discussed. Using the rolling bearing as an example, a prototype of knowledge searching is realized. The main aim of this study is to identify an efficient and reliable method of knowledge retrieval for the DKIS within an Internet environment so as to support its perfect operation.

A food monitoring system for preventing product deterioration

A food warehouse is an essential buffer which controls the key factors like temperature, pallet load pressure, humidity and maintains food quality and food safety. However, the traditional method of adopting a warehouse management system may not be sufficient for managing a food warehouse as it lacks temperature and pressure monitoring ability. In this paper, an effective monitoring system, adopting radio frequency identification (RFID), is proposed to provide timely and accurate information in controlling the warehouse environment and product quality in a food warehouse by formulating a reliable procedure to prevent food from deterioration. The system is also able to tackle the problem of the influence of liquid on RFID, and will provide quality control alerts in real-time supervision. Through applying the proposed system in a case company, it is proved that EMS significantly reduces the amount of deteriorated/inferior products as well as reducing the cost of quality control.