Souheil Khaddaj

Object versioning and information management

Abstract It is already widely accepted that the use of data abstraction in object oriented modelling enables real world objects to be well represented in information systems. However, the issue of how to deal with the continuity problem during gradual or sudden changes of objects continues to pose conceptual and technical challenges. This paper investigates the use of object versioning techniques to examine the continuity and pattern of changes of objects over time. In adopting this the authors assess not only attributes changes to homogenous objects, but also behaviour changes that lead to transforming or destroying existing objects and creating new ones.

Use of an adaptable quality model approach in a production support environment

Many of the early quality models have followed a hierarchical approach; A set of factors that affect quality are defined but there is little scope for expansion. Later models allow collective decisions to be made as to what attributes constitute quality but comparison across projects is difficult as a result. The adaptable quality model overcomes these drawbacks by providing a set of standard quality factors whilst allowing for locally defined factors to be included. The approach enables a consensus to be reached as to what properties constitute quality and how those properties should be measured. This paper details the construction of the model together with results from its use in a production support environment at a major financial institution.

Construction of an FPA-type metric for early lifecycle estimation

Abstract The traditional function point approach has been well documented. Despite increasing popularity, investigations have shown a number of weaknesses. There is evidence that simple metrics may be as good as function points for early lifecycle estimates. This paper considers the use of a simplified approach to system size estimation that utilises function point elements. From this, the construction of a new model for producing function point estimates earlier in the development lifecycle is presented, together with results from application of the model to real project data.

A time cost optimization for similar scenarios mobile GIS queries

Query optimization strategies have been recently employed for various types of queries such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in particular Location Based Services and proximity analysis. This work proposes a new decision making mechanism called Time Cost Optimizer (TCOP) which aims to effectively reduce the cost of execution for multiple mobile GIS queries. TCOP is implemented in order to employ the new paradigm Sharing Global Execution Plans (GEP) where multiple users share the previously melted templates. It is integrated as a new component of the Query Melting Processor (QMP) that has been developed for processing multiple dynamic complex queries based on the Query Melting (QM) paradigm which consists of the sharing paradigm and the push-down strategy. An experimental evaluation has been conducted using a case study based on the map of Paris. The results analysis proved that significant saving in time can be achieved by employing the newly developed strategy.

Quality Measurement for Cloud Based E-commerce Applications

Cloud based e-Commerce applications are favored over traditional systems due to their capacity to reduce costs in various aspects like use of resources, low operating costs, eliminate capital costs, low maintenance and service costs. Its core functionality of optimizing performance and its automatic system recovery is crucial in web applications. Using a cloud platform for web applications increases productivity and decreases the replication of business documents saving businesses money in the current economic climate. A stable system is needed to achieve this and quality measurement is crucial to establish baselines to help predict resources for the future of the business. The proposed quality measurement model is one such designed for Cloud based e-Commerce applications. It aims to create a repository or an error-Knowledge Management System(e-KMS) for known online defects with capacity to add in future defects as they occur when using the applications. By mapping these defects directly to quality factors affected, accurate quality measurement can be achieved.

Software Quality Issues and Challenges of Internet of Things

Internet of things (IoT) is making its mark on various aspects of life. Determining the quality features for such devices vary according to the functionalities of the system. Non-functional quality factors play a vital role in evaluating such systems due to their applicability and multiple functionalities at a given time. Thus, this paper focuses on addressing quality of service (QoS) issues and considers the crucial factors when designing quality models for IoT systems and the challenges that need to be addressed.

Cloud Computing: Resource Management and Service Allocation

The increase acceptance and adoption of cloud computing has seen many research projects focusing on tradition distributed computing issues such as resource allocation and performance. The scalability and dynamic heterogeneity of cloud computing presents a different challenge in deciding how resources are allocated to services. In this paper we identify the nature of cloud computing dynamics with virtualisation as a key part to resource allocation and meeting QoS needs. Service Level Agreement (SLA) mainly equates to actions taken when best effort falls and does not address the significant needs of meeting QoS demands as well as efficient utilisation of resources.

System Performance in Cloud Services: Stability and Resource Allocation

Resources are allocated to web applications in large scale traditional servers depending on various factors like internal architecture, software support, hardware etc., resulting in under or over utilization of the resources. Valuable resources are allocated for the future continual business improvement which may or may not be utilized resulting in wastage. On the other hand cloud systems provide resources as needed, thereby maximizing resource utilization. Using cloud services increases productivity as it saves valuable time, cost and is portable in tablets and mobiles which are highly desirable for web businesses. These factors contribute to a high demand for system stability in cloud systems unlike other systems. Due to this dynamic internal cloud architecture, resource management has become a complex process. As a cloud service provider takes control of data and services, the resources can be allocated as a pay as you go service, forging resource management to fine tune the methods adopted to allocate them. This paper focuses on using one such method to allocate resources.

Cloud Computing: Service Provisioning and User Requirements

The Cloud Computing utility model has raised a number of challenges particularly in relation to service provisioning and user requirements. In such a service driven environment it is very important that resource provisioning can be optimized and users and applications have some level of assurance that their requirements can be satisfied. However, in order to guarantee a certain level of Quality of Service (QoS) Service Level Agreements (SLA) which specify contracts between providers and users are commonly used. This paper aims to investigate the QoS issues and SLA management within Cloud Computing and to present a framework for QoS assurance.

SOA and Cloud Service Provisioning Framework

Internet technology and advances in IT in general has made another paradigm of distributed computing sort after strategy for IT organisations. From client-server computing, Grid computing and now cloud computing, distributed computing architecture made it possible for multiple uses of IT infrastructure and application with managed allocation policies to utilise shared resources and applications. Service oriented computing (SOC) implementing service oriented architecture (SOA) underlines computing as a service by leveraging internet technology such as web service. Cloud computing is promoted as the type of distributing computing that will provide anything from basic computing need to high end delivery of IT services. Hence in this paper we consider two areas of distributed computing architecture, cloud and SOA by discussing the principles and how this fits into our framework to optimised provisioning of SOA over Cloud.