Natalia Razinkov

Autonomic self-optimization according to business objectives

A central challenge in the runtime management of computing environments is the necessity to keep these environments continuously optimized. In this paper we introduce a new paradigm, which focuses on self-optimization according to high-level business objectives such as maximizing revenues. It replaces the more traditional optimizations that are based upon IT measures such as resource availability. A general, autonomous process is defined to enable such optimizations, and a set of technologies and methodologies is introduced to support the implementation of such a process. The paper concludes with two types of validation tests carried out on an eCommerce site, that demonstrate the value and applicability of this approach.

Consultant assistant: a tool for collaborative requirements gathering and business process documentation

In this paper we present Consultant Assistant (CA), a tool to assist business consultants in collaborative requirements gathering and business process documentation. CA is a web tool that uses a model-based approach to capture the requirements. CA allows users to select relevant components of industry-specific process hierarchies, reuse documents from past engagements, collaboratively author requirements, and publish these requirements in a document based format. These documents can further be published to an asset repository for future reuse.

A Top-Down Approach from Service Centers to Business Processes

Business service centers (BSC) design a framework for defining non-overlapping, independent, reusable, cost-effective business centers that provide business services. Business services define the way service centers interact and exchange information and assets to achieve business goals. BSC modeling offers many advantages over traditional techniques, such as reuse, simplicity, implementation autonomy, and responsiveness. On the other hand, defining and modeling business processes (BP) is a critical factor in improving business performance. We propose a top-down approach from the business level to the operational level, taking advantages of both BSC and BP approaches. Using the guidelines described in this framework, business designers can use both BSC and BP techniques to provide an end-to-end view of business operations. In a climate of constant and unpredictable change, synergy between process thinking and service center thinking becomes essential to the success of enterprises.

Using MATCON to generate CASE tools that guide deployment of pre-packaged applications

The complex process of adapting pre-packaged applications, such as Oracle or SAP, to an organizations needs is full of challenges. Although detailed, structured, and well-documented methods govern this process, the consulting team implementing the method must spend a huge amount of manual effort to make sure the guidelines of the method are followed as intended by the method author. MATCON breaks down the method content, documents, templates, and work products into reusable objects, and enables them to be cataloged and indexed so these objects can be easily found and reused on subsequent projects. By using models and meta-modeling the reusable methods, we automatically produce a CASE tool to apply these methods, thereby guiding consultants through this complex process. The resulting tool helps consultants create the method deliverables for the initial phases of large customization projects. Our MATCON output, referred to as Consultant Assistant, has shown significant savings in training costs, a 20 - 30% improvement in productivity, and positive results in large Oracle and SAP implementations.

A Method for Service Center Architecture Based on Industry Standards

Component Business Modeling (CBM) designs a framework for defining non-overlapping, independent, reusable, cost-effective business components or service centers that provide business services. CBM is gaining broad acceptance in todays marketplace. On the other hand, compliance with industry standards is becoming an imperative in todays enterprises. We propose a bottom-up method for deriving business components from industry standards, based on the artifact-centric approach. In a climate of constant and unpredictable change, alignment between service centers and industry standards becomes essential to the success of enterprises.

Calculating the Business Importance of Entities in a Service-Oriented Enterprise

Component business modeling (CBM) serves as a powerful analytical framework for reasoning about the business as a set of business components that collaborate through the provision and consumption of business services. This paper proposes and illustrates a method to calculate the relative importance of the entities that make up a componentized enterprise architecture. The proposed method includes a formal definition of the importance of each entity in the business architecture calculated from the high level business values.

A methodological framework for business-oriented modeling of IT infrastructure

The creation of IT simulation models for uses such as capacity planning and optimization is becoming more and more widespread. Traditionally, the creation of such models required deep modeling and/or programming expertise, thus severely limiting their extensive use. Moreover, many modern intelligent tools now require simulation models in order to carry out their function. For these tools to be widely deployable, the derivation of simulation models must be made possible without requiring excessive technical knowledge. Hence we introduce a general methodology that enables an almost automatic deployment of IT simulation models, based on three fundamental principles: Modeling only at the required level of detail; modeling standard components using pre-prepared models; and automatically deriving the application-specific model details. The technical details underlying this approach are presented. In addition, a case study, showing the application of this methodology to an eCommerce site, demonstrates the applicability of this approach.

Brief Announcement: A Consent Management Solution for Enterprises

Technologies such as cloud, mobile and the Internet of Things (IoT) are resulting in the collection of more and more personal data. While this sensitive data can be a gold mine for enterprises, it can also constitute a major risk for them. Legislation and privacy norms are becoming stricter when it comes to collecting and processing personal data, requiring the informed consent of individuals to process their data for specific purposes. However, IT solutions that can address these privacy issues are still lacking. We briefly outline our solution and its main component called “Consent Manager”, for the management, automatic enforcement and auditing of user consent. We then describe how the Consent Manager was adopted as part of the European FP7 project COSMOS.

A top-down approach to aligning business service centres with business processes

Business Service Centres (BSCs) design a framework for defining non-overlapping, independent, reusable, cost-effective business centres that provide business services. Business services define the way service centres interact and exchange information and assets to achieve business goals. BSC modelling offers many advantages over traditional techniques such as reuse, simplicity, implementation autonomy and responsiveness. On the other hand, defining and modelling Business Processes (BPs) is a critical factor in improving business performance. We propose a top-down approach from the business level to the operational level, taking advantages of both BSC and BP approaches. Using the guidelines described in this framework, business designers can use both BSC and BP techniques to provide an end-to-end view of business operations. In a climate of constant and unpredictable change, synergy between process thinking and service centre thinking becomes essential to the success of enterprises.