Louwrence Erasmus

A theory for the systems engineering process

A theory for describing the systems engineering process using formal mathematical structures is presented in this paper. This abstraction of the systems engineering process makes it possible to concentrate on the operations and structures involved in the process without the distraction of the narrative word. An important aspect in the formulation of this theory is the inclusion of people as part of it. Further development of the theory will lead to the implementation of the mathematical description in simulation software to study the dynamic characteristics of and interaction of people with the systems engineering process as well as systematically validating the theory through empirical studies.

RealNeurons, artificial intelligence based on the mechanisms of biological intelligence

It is believed that a neuron is the building blocks for biological intelligence which is vested in a great part in the nervous system and brain of an organism. An organism or semiotic agent uses its brain to deduce meaning from all the sensoric inputs received from its environment and body through a neuro-semiotic process in order to make interpretations of this reality. This capability of organisms to deduce for themselves realities through neuro-semiosis in order to satisfy their needs in a dynamic environment is generally understood as intelligent behaviour. The RealNeuron model is based on the biological neuron and by constructing artificial semiotic agents with brains based on the ReaINeuron, intelligent behaviour can emerge from such agents

Smart metering implementation for enabling Water Conservation and water demand management: An investigation in Gauteng, South Africa

Due to water scarcity and growth demand, the provision of water of good quality and quantity is essential to utilities in urban areas. Gauteng municipalities in South Africa obtain water from the Vaal River system. The water demand exceeds the supply there-of. Between 36-40 % of the water is Non-Revenue Water (NRW) in the municipalities and is a source for great concern. A research study was conducted and it focused mainly on Water Conservation and Water Demand Management (WC/WDM) in municipalities. The aim of this study was to establish if there are policies and strategies in place that are being implemented to reduce NRW at the municipalities. A survey questionnaire was developed and sent to municipal officials. The WC/WDM implementations are taking place but it can be assumed to have very little effect on the overall NRW as it remains high. The municipal officials indicated it is critical that water utilities adopt smart metering technology and can be used to reduce NRW. Pre-paid metering is already in use in some of the municipalities.

Classical conditioning implementation with realneuron networks

This paper presents a contribution to computational modelling of associative learning through classical conditioning as known in the psychology. A seven-neuron RealNeuron network model, derived from neurobiological descriptions, and its performance is presented, using multiple resolution levels with configurable modular elements at each resolution level. RealNeurons are based on the structure of a biological neuron. With the RealNeurons simple calculations, simulations on personal computers are possible and the simulated states on the highest, intermediate and lowest levels of resolution can be calculated using standard spreadsheet software. Further, a synthesis of a complex system, using an eleven-neuron RealNeuron network and integrates two classical-conditioning functions that can adapt to a changing poison and food environment, and its performance is presented.

Organizational Dynamics of Sustainable eHealth Implementation: A Case Study of eHMIS

Successful implementation of electronic health (eHealth) is affected by several interrelated factors that go beyond technological elements. Economic, social (human) and environmental (organizational) factors significantly influence the sustainability of eHealth systems. Because of organizational factors, the same eHealth system can exhibit different success level in different healthcare institutions. Organizational culture, structure, resources, work process flow, leadership and management support are the key elements of organizational factors in the process of eHealth implementation. These organizational factors can deter the acceptance of eHealth technology if not carefully considered in the process of eHealth implementations. In this research study, we seek to understand the elements of an organizational factor that influence eHealth implementation and to study their dynamic interactions with technological dimensions. Healthcare organization is a complex system that involves nonlinear interaction among organizational elements that keep changing over time. A conceptual framework developed to describe the organizational dynamic of eHealth implementation illustrates nonlinearity through feedbacks. A case study approach is used to learn the holistic characteristics of organizational factors during the implementation of Electronic Health Management Information System (eHMIS) in Ethiopia. The conceptual framework is tested with data collected from two separate focus group discussion sessions with the implementers and owners of eHMIS. A system dynamics research simulation applied in this study is an appropriate method to enhance the learning process of a complex system. Finally, a causal loop diagram (CLD) of organizational dynamics is developed from the focus group data, literature and eHMIS implementation documents review.

Utilizing IEC61850 Standard and the Generic Object Orientated Substation Event Facility in Modern Protection and Control Devices

IEC61850 technology has proved to be the future of communications in the power system protection environment. The numerous benefits of IEC61850 overshadow what the current widely used DNP3 technology has to offer. This paper is concerned with the investigation of the electrical protection communications technology which will be most beneficial to power utilities. In evaluating the two communication design alternatives, IEC61850 and DNP3, the research relied on theory, laboratory experiments, probability models and equipment purchase data. Analytical analysis of the two designs was carried out using a Monte Carlo approach whereby the stochastic weights of the seven evaluation criteria used in this research were presented as inputs to Monte Carlo analysis. The Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) strategy was employed as a deterministic model within Monte Carlo to evaluate the probability of IEC61850 being the most preferred technology over DNP3 or DNP3 over IEC61850 conversely. Three worst case scenarios of preferences were used during Monte Carlo evaluation. It was found through statistical analysis of the analytically obtained overall results that the probability of DNP3 technology being beneficial over IEC61850 was 0.54 in one of the worst case scenarios. In the other two worst case scenarios the probability of IEC61850 being the most desirable technology was found to be 0.52 and 0.59.

Services marketing within South African engineering enterprises: A comparative study of theory and practice

South African enterprises that provide engineering services have a multi-industry scope contributing significantly towards South Africas GDP. This motivates the need to gain an insight into the marketing of engineering related services such as that of engineering consultants. Knowledge of services is dispersed across different disciplines resulting in inconsistencies between the definitions of services amongst different disciplines. It would appear that the marketing strategies of engineering services enterprises in South Africa do not necessarily consider and articulate the services value proposition of the engineering enterprise as a service system entity. The primary objective of this research is to determine whether the marketing strategies that prevail in engineering services enterprises in South Africa are built upon a service science system foundation as described in literature. The research field known as Service Science Management and Engineering (SSME) has been established to integrate service research across disciplines. A knowledge framework that conceptualises services marketing approaches described in literature is presented and contribute towards the integrated service research body of knowledge. The knowledge framework is then compared to the mental model as articulated in engineering services enterprises in South Africa. A descriptive narrative inquiry research methodology is used to conduct the research. Discrepancies between the mental models pertaining to services marketing strategies as articulated in engineering services enterprises are highlighted by comparison to the knowledge framework of service marketing.

Social media service innovation in South African retail banking: A case study

Social media usage has exponentially increased with over 2 billion active accounts. Thus, the retail sector is utilising the platform to develop innovative services, build stronger brands and market their services and products. This has led to an increase of innovative start-ups that are beginning to encroach on the financial services sector. Consequently, banks are facing an imminent threat where they not only competing with each other, but also with pioneering Small Medium Enterprises. Social media has received a lot of attention lately, but from a branding and marketing perspective. This study took a different approach by applying competitive advantage theories to the application of social media in the retail banking sphere. The pentagon of sustained competitive advantage was proposed to understand how firms can attain a sustained competitive advantage. Results indicated that banks are operating in a volatile operating environment; customers prefer social media to complain about unsatisfactory service and favour digital channels for service provisioning. SA banks are benefiting from social media through brand awareness, customer engagement and customer feedback. Lastly, the study indicates that social media can be used to gain a competitive advantage in the SA banking sector.

Narrative enquiry into service excellence in uncertainty: Contributions of business and information technology strategic alignment in Zimbabwe

Due to the evolution of knowledge, running a business in the twenty first century has significantly changed. Companies are now forced to become more competitive and creative within a context of uncertainty. Despite these challenges, these companies must still thrive and successfully deliver their products and services to their target and future customers. Zimbabwe experienced two periods of economic crisis that threatened the survival of businesses that were operating in the country. Yet when some businesses collapsed others survived. Through a narrative enquiry research study method, the author sought to identify if the strategic alignment of business and IT strategies helped Zimbabwean companies gain a strategic advantage in this context of uncertainty, thereby helping them overcome the two periods of uncertainty. Ten, one-on-one interviews were conducted to gather the views of business leaders in Zimbabwe. Numerous aspects of the respondents narratives were revealed as the interviews were done. The respondents mentioned that a strategic alignment of IT and business strategies would help their companies overcome the current period of uncertainty. The findings also found that other factors would need to be accommodated and implemented to complement strategic alignment.

Determining the significant factors for implementing and managing a rural development program: A case study of the Comprehensive Rural Development Program (CRDP) in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa

Rural development is a process of engagement that is based on interactions between physical, economic, technological, socio-cultural and institutional dynamics with the aim of improving the wellbeing of people in rural areas. Unfortunately, many rural development initiatives both locally and internationally have not delivered the desired change. The challenge therefore is to identify factors that may hamper the attainment of the set goals of the programs and also to identify those factors that can potentially increase the success and limit the risk of failures. The Mpumalanga province championed the Comprehensive Rural Development Program (CRDP) which is a collaborative effort by various stakeholder entities in an effort to improve rural livelihoods. The research study was directed at uncovering the perceptions of the members of the CRDP Provincial Technical Task Team who represent the collaborating entities and play both a strategic and managerial role in the implementation of the CRDP. The research methodology constitutes a case study with a qualitative narrative inquiry as the basis for the empirical study. Information gathering was through a combination of three methods namely one-on-one interviews, direct observation, as well as a literature review. The findings revealed the three factors that are significant for rural development.