Rajeev Kaula

An approach to open intelligent information systems

Abstract The paper proposes a new approach to the design of open intelligent information systems based on artificial intelligence techniques. This approach is referred too as the open intelligent information systems architecture (OIISA) proposes a mechanism for the effective partitioning of the knowledge base and a framework by which separate knowledge bases (which in themselves can be distinct knowledge systems) would cooperatively solve problems.

A modular approach toward flexible manufacturing

A conceptual framework for structuring a flexible manufacturing system (FMS) environment called an open automation architecture (OAA) is proposed. The framework is based on the open‐systems approach to information system development. OAA proposes partitioning of the manufacturing environment into autonomous manufacturing entities called logical manufacturing shops, that communicate and cooperate during the manufacturing of products. The partitioning in OAA is not based on the traditional structuring of machines on the shop floor. Each logical manufacturing shop is structured to provide for data and process integration within its processing domain, supported by a stable grouping of machines on the shop floor. The framework is illustrated with a manufacturing case and a discussion of information system support in the form of expert systems.

A module‐based conceptual framework for largescale expert systems

Increasing utilization of expert systems in organizations has necessitated development of large‐scale expert systems that deal with complex problem domains requiring handling of large knowledge bases. Adapts the concepts and structures of open information systems to outline a conceptual framework for large‐scale expert system development called an open‐based expert system (OES) architecture. The framework proposes partitioning large‐scale expert systems development into smaller and autonomous expert system modules which communicate through a flexible interface. The expert system modules may be built small enough to achieve reliability, and the open structure of the architecture allows the modules to be incorporated into a larger information system. The OES architecture is implemented on vp‐expert shell, and a prototype is developed to demonstrate its working.

Integrating Decision Support Systems in Organizations

Decision support systems (DSS) like individual DSS, group DSS, or organization DSS, have traditionally been developed separately. Attempts to integrate their separate development into a unified framework. Specifies the relationship between the decisions supported by different DSS in organization, thereby making it necessary to have an integrated approach; along with an outline of the problems in the existing DSS environment towards proper integration. The ANSI/X3/SPARC database framework is utilized to develop a three‐level integrated DSS framework, that enables the integration of different types of DSS in organization. Suggests a knowledge‐based approach for implementing the proposed framework.

Business Rules Modeling for Business Process Events: An Oracle Prototype

Business rules guide business process activities and events, besides impacting associated business entity types. This paper outlines an approach to model business rules associated with business process events through traditional data modeling techniques like entity-relationship diagrams, and then transform the data model into application procedures that can effect business process events. A prototype to model a sample set of business rules pertaining to a business process event into a relational database is provided to demonstrate the application of the concept. The paper utilizes the Oracle database for illustrating the concepts. The prototype is explained through an application in Oracles PL/SQL Server Pages.

A database approach towards flexible manufacturing: a conceptual framework

Abstract A conceptual framework for flexible manufacturing called flexible automation architecture (FAA), in a computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) environment is proposed. The framework is based on the three-level database architecture for designing database systems. FAA partitions the manufacturing environment into database analogous logical levels of product requirements (external view), logical shops (conceptual view) and machine shops (internal view). The flexibility in FAA is achieved not by the traditional structuring of machines on the shop floor, but rather through a series of logical processes in the logical shop level. Each logical process is a generic (abstracted) process catering to multiple product processes at the product requirements level, and manufactured by a stable group of machines at the machine shop level. The framework is illustrated with a manufacturing case and a discussion of information system support in the form of expert systems.

Problem solving strategies for open-systems based organization decision support systems

Abstract Organization decision support systems (ODSS) based on the open-systems approach towards system development, require appropriate strategies for problem solving. The problem solving strategies are the inferencing characteristics that should exist in a knowledge-based type environment. This paper outlines the necessary strategies. The proposed strategies conform to an ODSS environment that utilizes a conceptual framework for ODSS development, called an open-systems based organization decision support system architecture. The proposed strategies essentially augment the existing problem solving strategies like backward chaining, forward chaining or mixed chaining. The strategies are implemented in Prolog language, and demonstrated using a prototype case.

Communication Model for Module-Based Knowledge Systems

Publisher Summary Module-based knowledge systems are alternative paradigms for knowledge-based system development. Based on the concept of open information systems, module-based systems consist of several smaller independently developed subsystems (or modules) those communicate and cooperate by passing messages (knowledge, data, information) during problem solving. This chapter presents a communication model based on the theory of language for module-based knowledge systems environments. The emphasis in proposing the communication model and its structure is not on specific hardware or software, but on mechanisms that are logical in nature and so independent of hardware and software. The communication model is described and implemented using open intelligent information system architecture. However, the implementation can also be performed on different hardware platforms as well as in an environment where the autonomous subsystems exist on varied hardware platforms. In the case of a heterogeneous hardware environment, the services of the upper layers of the OSI communication standard are utilized in the chapter. To facilitate implementation of the communication model, a conceptual framework for developing module-based knowledge systems called “open intelligent information system architecture” is utilized. The framework presented in the chapter outlines (1) the nature of autonomous (or independent) subsystems that exist in such an environment and (2) the mechanisms by which the autonomous subsystems cooperate during problem solving.

Problem solving strategies for open information systems

Open information systems based on the open intelligent information systems architecture require appropriate strategies for problem solving. The problem solving strategies are the inferencing and control strategies that should exist in a knowledge-based type environment. The paper outlines the necessary strategies. The proposed strategies essentially augment the existing problem solving strategies, such as backward chaining, forward chaining and mixed chaining. The strategies are implemented in Prolog, and demonstrated using a prototype case.

Entity relationship modelling of business rules: an Oracle prototype

Business rules are generally developed as an addendum to database development using proprietary techniques. This paper provides an approach to apply the techniques of traditional entity-relationship modelling to structure the business rules as a rule repository for interaction with transactional entity types in a relational database management system. A prototype to model a sample set of business rules into relational database is provided to demonstrate the application of the concept. The paper utilises the Oracle database for illustrating the concepts. The prototype is explained through an application in Oracles PL/SQL server pages.