Yves Ducq

Interoperability in enterprise modelling: requirements and roadmap

Interoperability is today considered as a key issue in the domain of ICT for enterprise organisations. One key point in interoperability is enterprise modelling. This paper deals with this class of interoperability and, more precisely, with Unified Enterprise Modelling Language (UEML). An analysis of existing solutions leads to the conclusion that there is no enterprise modelling theory supporting mapping between existing enterprise modelling formalisms and no tool for translation models. In conclusion, enterprise knowledge is segregated. A lot of enterprise modelling methods were developed on a practical basis, without identifying first the user requirements. The first contribution of this paper is to present a detail definition of what user requirements are to develop a unified language. Then, a framework for the classification and a methodology for collection of requirements are proposed. Moreover, attributes are assigned to requirements in order to evaluate them. The ten most important requirements are presented. The second contribution of this paper is to go further with presenting a roadmap for developing UEML using several approaches: top-down, bottom-up or a combined approach so-called hybrid approach. These three approaches are presented and compared.

Production management and enterprise modelling

Abstract This paper has the objective to demonstrate the usefulness of Enterprise Modelling to implement Enterprise Resource Planning ( erp ) software, or Supply Chain Management ( scm ) software. In the first part, we review the evolution of Production Management in the new enterprise, then we present the status of Enterprise Modelling Methodology, particularly the GRAI Methodology. The third part demonstrates the difficulties to implement erp or erp and the role of Enterprise Modelling Methodology in this implementation. An example will illustrate this last point.

Evolution management towards interoperable supply chains using performance measurement

Today, the enterprise must cooperate to survive in an increasingly competitive context. This co-operation is carried out by organisations in networks through the supply chain (SC). In order to do so, enterprises must be interoperable. In order to reach interoperability, the system must eradicate heterogeneity. This paper aims at presenting the problems of heterogeneity from two different points of view: semantic and organisational. In the first part, the paper exposes the problems of heterogeneity from the two points of view. This part insists on the weak alien problem resolution for the semantics. In the second part, the synchronisation and standardisation of practices of business processes are presented in order to solve a part of the problem of organisation heterogeneity. The third part presents the use of the performance measurement system to manage the evolution of the enterprises towards interoperability, i.e. the implementation and exploitation of the principles exposed previously. Then, the last part presents an application of the ECOGRAI method and implementation using a software tool in the frame of interoperability between manufacturing and maintenance companies.

A contribution of system theory to sustainable enterprise interoperability science base

Even if the research domain related to interoperability has been developed for more than 10years and particularly for the last 8years, the different kinds of interoperability and the different problems to solve need to be consolidated in order to define a real science. Moreover, because of the continuous evolution of enterprises in supply chains, interoperability problems must continuously be considered and solved in order to reach a sustainable interoperability. The objective of this prospective research paper is to discuss how system theory (ST), applied to system of systems, is able to support the development of sustainable enterprise interoperability science base. After an introduction which reminds the definition of enterprise interoperability and the development of this domain in Europe, the system theory concepts are introduced. Then, the requirements are described to support the determination of the necessary concepts to develop a science base for sustainable enterprise interoperability. This part also describes how the concepts of system theory meet the defined requirements. The fourth part presents a specific approach based on system theory in order to manage the evolution of interoperability in enterprises and to reach sustainable interoperability. Then last part illustrates this work with a concrete example showing how ST concepts are used in GRAI methodology for instance to represent business process and decision interoperability problems.

Coherence analysis methods for production systems by performance aggregation

This paper aims at describing methods for the coherence analysis in production systems. This coherence between the various objectives of the decision system is analysed in order to ensure that the achievement of local performances allows the achievement of the global ones, assigned to the whole enterprise. The coherence analysis methods are usable for quantitative objectives, whatever the kinds of performance which is concerned (cost, quality, lead time, #exibility, etc.). The coherence analysis is based on the aggregation and comparison of expected performances (objectives) between the various decision levels. Various methods are developed in the frame of the concepts of the GRAI Model. ( 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Towards a sustainable interoperability in networked enterprise information systems

Sustaining interoperability in enterprise networks is the next research challenge.Not understanding the impact of a single system change may cause network failures.Pervasive information models and EA can support dynamic interoperability enablers.Combined use of model-driven and knowledge-based approaches can improve NG-EIS.We present and discuss the sustainable interoperability research framework. In a turbulent world, global competition and the uncertainty of markets have led organizations and technology to evolve exponentially, surpassing the most imaginary scenarios predicted at the beginning of the digital manufacturing era, in the 1980s. Business paradigms have changed from a standalone vision into complex and collaborative ecosystems where enterprises break down organizational barriers to improve synergies with others and become more competitive. In this context, paired with networking and enterprise integration, enterprise information systems (EIS) interoperability gained utmost importance, ensuring an increasing productivity and efficiency thanks to a promise of more automated information exchange in networked enterprises scenarios. However, EIS are also becoming more dynamic. Interfaces that are valid today are outdated tomorrow, thus static interoperability enablers and communication software services are no longer the solution for the future. This paper is focused on the challenge of sustaining networked EIS interoperability, and takes up input from solid research initiatives in the areas of knowledge management and model driven development, to propose and discuss several research strategies and technological trends towards next EIS generation.

Definition and aggregation of a performance measurement system in three aeronautical workshops using the ECOGRAI method

The requirement for a performance measurement system is essential in order to know the status of the production system and then to improve its control. Focused on research on the control of production systems for 20 years with the development of GRAI methodology, the LAPS/GRAI of University Bordeaux 1 worked for more than 10 years on the definition and the implementation of performance indicator systems through the development of ECOGRAI method and on the aggregation of performance. This paper presents an application of the ECOGRAI method to a workshop inside an aeronautical subcontracting company close to Bordeaux. The first part of the paper will be dedicated to a short presentation of the ECOGRAI method. In particular, we will present six phases of the structured approach and the main tools which are used in the method: the GRAI grid, the coherence panel and the specification sheet and the identity card of the indicators. In the second part, we will present a test case. First, we will present the context of the test case and the objectives that we had to meet. Then we will present the models of the control system and of the physical system through the GRAI grid and actigrams. We will show how we proposed to model the global control of the company and the detailed control of each workshop. Then, we will focus particularly on the way we have identified the performance indicators, based on the objectives and decision variables of the GRAI grid. We will also show how we solved the problem of aggregation of performance in relation to the coordination of decision-making. In the third part, we will detail how we ensured that these indicators were adapted to the control of the workshop and how we ensured their consistency. Finally, we will show to what extent the implementation of the coherent performance indicator system had an impact on the organization and the running of the workshop.

Effects of information transparency and cooperation on supply chain performance: a simulation study

This research explores the effect of information transparency and cooperation among the front nodes of supply chains. Although published works in the supply chain (SC) domain underline the need for information transparency and cooperation for competitiveness of firms, the majority among these are conceptual or empirical. As such, the domain requires fresh effort towards analytical and simulation based research for validation. In the present work, simulation is used as the research methodology. The simulation platform is developed in ARENA®, which is based on simulation language SIMAN. It has the capability to model multi-product, multi-echelon supply chains. Cooperation is depicted in the form of demand pooling and accelerated delivery of consignments from cooperating SC nodes, when stock-out contingency occurs at a particular node. The modelling also explores the effects of full, partial and zero level of information transparency on the SC performance. The simulation results suggest that these initiatives improve SC service time performance. It is also observed that more advantages from cooperation and information transparency are obtainable when the SC is leaner. The studies also highlight that such SC initiative that motivates local optimisation at the nodes is counter-productive to SC wide performance.

Principles of Servitization and Definition of an Architecture for Model Driven Service System Engineering

European manufacturing enterprise will progressively migrate from traditional product-centric business to product-based service-oriented virtual enterprise and ecosystems However, the changes in this servitization process must be accompanied using specific techniques. This paper aims at presenting the principles of migration from traditional tangible product company to a set of virtual organisations ensuring the various steps of a Product2service life cycle as well as a preliminary result to develop service modelling architecture. The proposed Model Driven Service Engineering (MDSE) architecture is adapted from MDA/MDI approaches as developed in INTEROP Network of Excellence. This architecture defines the various modelling levels and the related constructs to model based on servitization principles. The potential modelling languages to represent these constructs at each level of MDSE will be presented at the same time. Conclusions are given in the end of the paper.

Supply Chain as a Flexible System: A KM Focused Competence

Supply chains are increasingly needed to work with core competencies of a flexible system enriched with Knowledge Management (KM). An integrated decision making amongst autonomous chain partners focused on suitable knowledge sharing is required to derive superior operational performance from flexibility based core competency in supply chains. Evolving competitive challenges demand a time based competition and an increasing variety of customer needs. In this context, Knowledge Management (KM) can be used as an effective approach to achieve Decision Knowledge Sharing (DKS) leading to improved operational competence. Flexible Supply Chains (FSCs) are more complex and involve multiple autonomous players with varying technical cultures (affects knowledge mindsets), managerial background (affects decision knowledge) and SCM exposures (affects knowledge sharing attitudes). This includes the implementation of decision knowledge enriched supply chains by judicious use of information technology (IT). The development of knowledge based supply chain depends on the nature of knowledge flow in the entire chain. Timely sharing of decision knowledge amongst the chain partners can be very useful. However it requires change in managerial mindsets. Thus there is a need to develop demo models that can encourage chain managers towards greater collaborative-knowledge sharing in the supply chains. This paper presents the application of one such model based on decision knowledge sharing (DKS) for improved supply chain performance. By exploiting Decision Knowledge Sharing (DKS) and flexibility in supply chain structures better operational performance can be achieved. This paper presents a study on the role of different decision knowledge sharing options (i.e. no DKS, partial DKS and full DKS) in a flexible supply chain model based on key dynamic parameters and performance measures. DKS in flexible supply chains has significant potential and needs greater research attention. We attempt to advance the DKS in the context of flexible supply chains. A simulation model of a flexible supply chain based on DKS framework is developed for demo purposes. The key results are highlighted along with industry implications. Here each supply chain node involves decision-making. A seemingly good decision at a stage can be obtained based on local and global knowledge sharing. The cost based performance of alternative DKS with different levels of flexibility is studied. The observations are important for the designers and managers of the FSCs to arrive at appropriate levels of flexibility and judicious level of decision knowledge sharing to attain significant benefits towards operational competence. It is suggested that flexibility and KM are important core-competency that can improve operational performance in supply chains.