Ralf Knackstedt

Adaptive Reference Modeling: Integrating Configurative and Generic Adaptation Techniques for Information Models

Reference models have to be adapted to fit to the according application situation. In order to reduce the adaptation efforts, the concept of configurative reference modeling represents a promising approach. Nevertheless, since not every requirement of possible reference model users can be anticipated by the reference model developer, further model adaptations have to be performed. In order to support the reference model user decreasing his adaptation efforts by providing a higher methodological support, we propose to integrate generic model adaptation techniques with configurative reference modeling. Our paper presents recommendations for the construction of modeling languages that realize an integration of configurative and generic reference modeling.

Konstruktion von Referenzmodellierungssprachen Ein Ordnungsrahmen zur Spezifikation von Adaptionsmechanismen für Informationsmodelle

Construction of Reference Modeling Languages — A Framework for the Specification of Adaptation Mechanisms for Conceptual Information Models Reference modeling languages differ from each other as they use different model types (such as process or data models) and as they provide different mechanisms that allow an adaptation of the reference model to specific contexts. The developer of the reference modeling language has to decide which adaptation technique he wants to use (e. g. configuration, aggregation, instantiation, specialization or analogy construction) and which of these techniques he wants to integrate into the language specification. In this paper, these adaptation techniques are compared, and reference solutions for the specification of extended reference modeling languages are proposed. The introduced solutions are structured by a methodical framework that assigns modeling examples and meta-models as well as meta-meta-models to the different adaptation techniques. Based on this framework, possible combinations of configurative adaptation mechanisms with aggregative, instantiation based, specialization based and analogy construction based mechanisms are discussed.

Entwicklung Serviceorientierter Architekturen zur Integration von Produktion und Dienstleistung – Eine Konzeptionsmethode und ihre Anwendung am Beispiel des Recyclings elektronischer Geräte

ZusammenfassungDie Erstellung von Leistungsbündeln aus Sach- und Dienstleistungen wird für Unternehmen immer bedeutender. Dabei setzen eine Veränderung der organisatorischen Rahmenbedingungen und die dynamische Anpassung der Leistungserstellung an wechselnde Kundenanforderungen wandlungsfähige Informationssystemarchitekturen in Produktion und Dienstleistung voraus. Serviceorientierte Architekturen (SOA) leisten einen Beitrag zur Erhöhung dieser Wandlungsfähigkeit. Jedoch ist die Identifikation, Spezifikation und Implementierung von Services als Basis der Serviceorientierten Architekturen bislang nur unzureichend methodisch unterstützt. Der Schließung dieser Forschungslücke dient eine Konzeptionsmethode, die Ansätze zur Kundenintegration adaptiert und eine betriebswirtschaftliche mit einer informationstechnischen Analyse verbindet. Die Anwendbarkeit der Methode wird dabei anhand der prototypischen Erstellung einer Serviceorientierten Architektur für das Recycling elektronischer Geräte demonstriert. Die angestrebte Ausweitung der Architektur auf weitere Leistungsbündel und die Standardisierung der dabei spezifizierten Services zielen darauf ab, in zukünftigen Arbeiten die Ausschöpfung bestehender Potentiale bei der Integration von Produktion und Dienstleistung durch die Bereitstellung einer umfassenden Referenzarchitektur zu fördern.AbstractOffering product-service bundles (consisting of products and services) is becoming more important for companies. Modifying the organizational structure of the cooperation as well as adapting to changing customer demands requires versatile information systems. Implementing Service Oriented Architectures (SOA) is one attempt to provide this flexibility. Currently, there is little methodical guidance for the identification, specification and implementation of services as building blocks of Service Oriented Architectures. Accounting for this need, a conceptual approach is designed, which adapts approaches of customer integration, and combines a business and IT analysis. The applicability of the method is demonstrated by designing a Service Oriented Architecture for the recycling of electronic equipment. Implementing services for other product-service bundles will support additional integration scenarios. By standardizing services, a sound integration of products and services can be backed by providing a reference architecture.

Reference Models and Modeling Languages for Product-Service Systems Status-Quo and Perspectives for Further Research

Being confronted with decreasing margins and a rising customer demand for integrated solutions, manufacturing companies integrate complementary services into their portfolio. Offering product-service packages (consisting of products and services) demands for setting up integrated product-service systems, which incorporate the coordinated design and provision of products and services. Conceptual Modeling is an established approach to support such efforts. This paper evaluates the current support of reference models and modeling languages for setting up conceptual models in the area of product-service systems. Consecutively, some perspectives are presented to induce further research in this field.

Wertschöpfungsnetzwerke von Produzenten und Dienstleistern als Option zur Organisation der Erstellung hybrider Leistungsbündel

Sachguter werden zunehmend als Massenware (engl. commodity) angesehen, die in ahnlicher Qualitat von verschiedenen Unternehmen bereitgestellt werden konnen, die im internationalen Wettbewerb stehen. Um aus dem dadurch bedingten Preiskampf auszubrechen, bietet sich die Integration von Dienstleistungen in das Leistungsportfolio von Unternehmen, die bisher hauptsachlich Sachleistungen angeboten haben, an. Die das physische Produktspektrum erganzende Vermarktung von Dienstleistungen eroffnet neben einem Verkauf zu hoheren Margen (vgl. Wise, Baumgartner 1999) vielfaltige andere Nutzenpotentiale (vgl. Quinn, Baruch, Paquette 1988), wie z. B. den Aufbau einer langerfristigen und intensiveren Kundenbindung (vgl. Sturts, Griffis 2005), die Steigerung der Leistungsfahigkeit des Produktes und seine flexiblere Anpassung an Kundenbedurfnisse (vgl. Howells 2003). Dabei kann sich auch das bisher verfolgte Geschaftsmodell des Sachleistungserstellers gravierend wandeln. Betreibermodelle sehen etwa vor, dass der Kunde nicht mehr die Sachleistung selbst, sondern deren Einsetzbarkeit bzw. das Ergebnis ihres Einsatzes erwirbt (vgl. Freiling 2003; Meier, Werding 2004). In den USA sind in fuhrenden produzierenden Unternehmen bereits 50 % des Umsatzes und 60 % der Margen auf die Vermarktung von Dienstleistungen zuruck zu fuhren (vgl. Allmendinger, Lombreglia 2005).

Configurative Service Engineering - A Rule-Based Configuration Approach for Versatile Service Processes in Corrective Maintenance

Recently, service orientation has increasingly been debated both in research and practice. While researchers postulate a paradigm shift towards services as the basic unit of exchange in economies, companies strive to efficiently provide a wide array of business services to their customers. To accomplish this, companies (a) are required to consciously design the services in their portfolio with respect to a structured engineering approach and (b) also have to flexibly adapt the engineered service processes to individual customer needs, wants, and demands. Hence, services shall be supplied efficiently and in consistent quality without sacrificing customization for customers. Supporting this mass-customization strategy for business services, we present a configurative service engineering approach. After engineering a configurable process model for business services, customized service processes can efficiently be derived from the model by applying configuration mechanisms. The process of configuration is aided by the software tool Adapt(X). We present the concept and tool support by applying them on business services for corrective maintenance in the mechanical engineering sector.

Model-Based Decision Support for the Customer-Specific Configuration of Value Bundles

Customers in B2B as well as B2C markets increasingly demand integrated problem solutions from their suppliers, comprising both physical artefacts (products) and services. Applying a mixed bundling strategy to offer such value bundles to customers foremost requires a sound configuration and economic calculation of value propositions, based on previously defined modules of products and services. In this paper, a modelling language is introduced to describe the function and structure of such modules, as well as to calculate the economic consequences of value propositions on a customer-individual level. The proposed modelling language has been embedded into a software tool to evaluate its utility regarding the customization and offering of integrated value bundles to customers.

Integration von Sach- und Dienstleistungen – Ausgewählte Internetquellen zur hybriden Wertschöpfung

ZusammenfassungAls Ergebnis einer Recherche zur hybriden Wertschöpfung werden Internetquellen zu interessanten Praxisbeispielen und Studien präsentiert, um die praktische Relevanz der Integration von Sach- und Dienstleistungen zu unterstreichen. Anhand einer Vielzahl an Forschungsprojekten zur hybriden Wertschöpfung, deren Webseiten untersucht und kategorisiert wurden, wird gezeigt, dass die hybride Wertschöpfung auch in der Forschung intensiv diskutiert wird. Die Ergebnisse der Internetrecherche verdeutlichen darüber hinaus eine große Begriffsvielfalt in der Bezeichnung von Kombinationen aus Sach- und Dienstleistungen, die eine Orientierung in diesem Themenbereich besonders erschwert.AbstractThe article presents results of an internet research on product-service systems. Web sites showing interesting practical examples and studies available online are presented to point out the practical relevance of innovative combinations of products and services. The multiplicity of research projects found on the internet shows that this phenomenon is also discussed intensively in research. These projects have been categorized by analyzing their web sites. Furthermore, the results of the internet research highlight a high diversity of terms for describing the concept of product-service systems. As a consequence, orientation in this subject area is hindered.

Referenzmodellierung im Data-Warehousing: State-of-the-Art und konfigurative Ansätze für die Fachkonzeption

Reference models increase the efficiency of data warehouse projects by providing construction patterns. This paper presents an overview of existing applications of reference models for data warehousing which shows that there is only insufficient support of model alternatives during requirements definition. Especially configurable reference models provide an adequate solution for creating project-specific models. Therefore, we suggest an extension of data warehouse modeling techniques by configuration rules. The configuration of reference models is embedded in the data warehouse development process. Furthermore, supplementary operational instructions for reference model designers are outlined.

Online-Literaturdatenbanken im Bereich der Wirtschaftsinformatik: Bereitstellung wissenschaftlicher Literatur und Analyse von Interaktionen der Wissensteilung

Knowledge sharing is fundamental for innovations in the scientific community. The paper examines how the interaction of knowledge sharing is supported by online services. With respect to business information systems, a survey of online literature databases is given, providing an aggregation of various publication sources, a direct access to publications, and which are available to the public. Furthermore, special analysis services are presented which describe competitive interactions of knowledge sharing via rankings on the one hand, and cooperative interactions of knowledge sharing via co-authorship evaluation on the other.