Stefan Bensch

Technical and Organizational Potentials of Value Networks for Ubiquitous Information Products and Services: Exploring the Role of Cloud Computing

In many industries, value added services are increasingly provided by value networks. Such value networks are enabled by information technologies, allowing for a flexible transmission of information products. New technical capabilities are a key driver for further development. Universities and companies face similar challenges in order to respond flexibly to new requirements. This article examines technical and organizational potentials of cloud computing with regard to ubiquitous information products and services in value networks. Technically, the virtualization technology enables the efficient use of resources in a value network. From the organizational perspective, cloud computing itself is structured as a value network and supports exchange relationships between the actors. Cloud computing improved technically and organizationally, thereby fostering a sustainable development of value networks for ubiquitous information products and services.

Conception of a Novel Open Source Environmental Management Information System Design to Assess the Availability of Resources: Status Quo and Directions for Future Research

Resources for new technologies are vitally important and limited in their availability. The reasons for the limited availability are political tension, supply concentrations or restricted potential for substitution and recycling. The consideration of information on the availability requires the mapping of this information in business information systems. Science and practice lack holistic and integrated solutions whose use supports the availability and evaluation of sustainable developments. Taking account of open source software, a concept of environmental management information systems is under development, in order to measure sustainable availability. The integration of existing IT systems and data sources provides an improved assessment of risks. The article shows a concept of IT architecture which can be used as open source software in the regulatory framework of environmental management information systems in order to evaluate the availability of resources and course of action.

How to procure cloud computing solutions: a manageable value network approach

Cloud computing research is currently dominated by technology and business-value driven approaches. Recently, the design of aligned procurement processes for cloud solutions in value networks has entered the scientific discourse. Especially in value networks, the implementation of procurement processes for cloud solutions, consisting of infrastructure-, platform - and software components, requires a holistic consideration of both procurement operations and the underlying information and communication technology. However, due to the special characteristics of cloud solutions, existing procurement or outsourcing processes for products and services cannot be applied to this domain out-of-the-box. This paper shows the need for a process-oriented approach in procurement at several abstraction levels. It proposes a model for the design of manageable procurement processes in value networks applicable to cloud solutions. The resulting artifact helps both practitioners and researchers in the development of specific cloud solution procurement processes.

Cloud networks for sustainable ubiquitous services

Cyber-enabled distributed cloud services support ubiquitous value added services. In many industries, value added services are increasingly provided by value networks. Such value networks are enabled by information technologies, allowing for a flexible transmission of ubiquitous services. New technical capabilities are a key driver for further development. Universities and companies face similar challenges in order to respond flexibly to new requirements. This article examines technical and organisational potentials of cloud computing with regard to ubiquitous services in value networks. This approach is checked for feasibility and adjusted by exemplary ubiquitous e-learning services. Technically, the virtualisation technology enables the efficient use of resources in a value network. From the organisational perspective, cloud computing itself is structured as a value network and supports exchange relationships between the actors. Cloud computing improved technically and organisationally, thereby fostering a sustainable development of value networks for ubiquitous services.

IT Outsourcing: An IS Perspective

IT outsourcing has got a high priority in science and practice. Scientifically is also Cloud Computing as a partial- and full IT outsourcing approach discussed. Technological and market-related developments in scientific research and economic reality provide the motivation to process the state-of-the-art and future considerations of IT outsourcing in a literature review. Overall, from 2000 to 2012, 179 articles could be identified and analyzed by a systematic literature review. A systematic classification of research in IT outsourcing helps to classify the wide range of topics in this area. Thematic developments, subject areas, research theories and industry sectors are analyzed in a systematic manner.