Innovation of Business Processes by Means of Computer-Aided Simulation

2014 ◽  
Vol 474 ◽  
pp. 67-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
František Manlig ◽  
Eva Šlaichová ◽  
František Koblasa ◽  
Jan Vavruška
Keyword(s):  
Business Processes ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Just In Time ◽  
Traditional Methods ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
Abc Analysis ◽  
The Right ◽  
Get Complex

"If you don't innovate, you will not survive.This statement has been especially true over the last century. The most critical factor is the speed of implementation of the particular innovation. High demands on the quality of process control, more and more require the use of supporting tools that enable us to get complex and detailed analysis of the process. For this reason attention is being paid to computer-aided simulation tools. Use of computer-aided simulation is still not as widespread as might be expected nowadays. However, expanded use of this tool is only a matter of time. This statement is confirmed by experience from many innovation projects, where the application of such computer-aided simulation tools was not only advantageous, but even necessary. This article deals with the application of computer-aided simulation in the field of process innovation. The particular case study shows the benefits of computer-aided simulation and the necessity of the connection and integration with the traditional methods (descriptive or analytical). It describes concisely the innovation process for an example of a JIT assembly (Just in Time). The traditional methods (ABC analysis and analysis of the activities that do not add value - Non Business Value) only partially solved the task of the project. To complete it and find the right solution, it was necessary to use dynamic analysis using computer-aided simulation. In conclusion, further opportunities to use computer-aided simulation in this field are being outlined.

scholarly journals Measuring and Developing Customer Satisfaction – By Balanced Critical Factor Index

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 34-39
Author(s):  
Mika Kuronen ◽  
Josu Takala
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Target Area ◽  
Business Partners ◽  
Measurement Tools ◽  
Factor Index ◽  
The Right

Abstract This short analysis presents perspective and a holistic method for approaching and measuring customer satisfaction. The Balanced Critical Factor Index (BCFI) method is a measurement tool to indicate which attribute of a business process is critical and which is not, based on the experience and expectations of the company’s employees, customers or business partners. This paper focuses on to detect and define critical business processes and factors, which have influence to effective co-operation and customer satisfaction. The use of a questionnaire is one of the most efficient approaches to gather the required information. Due to the fact that each process has its own attributes and the questionnaires cannot be standardized, but the information from the phase is essential and could be measured. In this study case company’s all gathered information will be analyzed and furthermore the BCFI measurement tools will be applied. The original research has been testified that, with the above-mentioned method (BCFI) customer’s experience of the “gap” between expected and received service can be easily resolved. Using this BCFI method it is also possible to find easier so called “weak” customer satisfaction indicators, which are not directly obvious. Companies have crucial to take the right decisions upon the areas of business interest. To have it done, the company should have able to made decisions with the right amount of customer’s needs. The correct allocation and fast adaption of customer’s needs with the right amount of standards is a key to competitive advantage. This paper shows use of this BCFI method and how it could help companies to define there’s customer’s needs and required development target area more specifically

Managing Landscape Irrigation to Avoid Soil and Nutrient Losses

EDIS ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
George Hochmuth ◽  
Laurie Trenholm ◽  
Don Rainey ◽  
Esen Momol ◽  
Claire Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Environment ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
County Agents ◽  
The Right ◽  
Soil And Water

Proper irrigation management is critical to conserve and protect water resources and to properly manage nutrients in the home landscape. How lawns and landscapes are irrigated directly impacts the natural environment, so landscape maintenance professionals and homeowners must adopt environmentally-friendly approaches to irrigation management. After selecting the right plant for the right place, water is the next critical factor to establish and maintain a healthy lawn and landscape. Fertilization is another important component of lawn and landscape maintenance, and irrigation must be applied correctly, especially following fertilization, to minimize potential nutrient losses. This publication supplements other UF/IFAS Extension publications that also include information on the role of soil and the root zone in irrigation management. This publication is designed to help UF/IFAS Extension county agents prepare materials to directly address nutrient losses from lawns and landscapes caused by inadequate irrigation management practices. This 6-page fact sheet was written by George Hochmuth, Laurie Trenholm, Don Rainey, Esen Momol, Claire Lewis, and Brian Niemann, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss586

MODELS FOR DESCRIBING AND SUPPORTING AUTOMATED SYSTEM SCENARIOS

2020 ◽  
pp. 18-22
Author(s):  
В.П. Хранилов ◽  
П.В. Мисевич ◽  
А.Э. Ермилов
Keyword(s):  
Fuzzy Logic ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Automated System ◽  
Just In Time ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
Situational Analysis ◽  
Frame Model ◽  
Information Logistics ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Mathematical Model

В статье представлены модели описания сценариев функционирования автоматизированных систем (АС). Вводится и анализируется категория "жизненный цикл сценариев АС". Наиболее важными этапами жизненного цикла сценария являются следующие: этап формирования событийного набора для формирования сценария, этап выполнения последовательности сценарных событий и этап ситуационного анализа внешней и внутренней среды события. В статье предложена математическая модель функционирования АС, которая используется для поддержки этапа выполнения последовательности сценарных событий и основана на принципе информационной логистики: каждый параметр (набор данных) находится в нужном месте в АС, "точно в срок" и в нужном формате. Для поддержки ситуационного анализа предлагается модифицированная фреймовая модель. Ситуационный анализ используется для разработки алгоритмов событий и определения следующего события в сценарии. Модифицированная фреймовая модель основана на использовании нечетких логических процедур в фреймовой сети. The paper presents models for describing the operating scenarios of automated systems. The authors introduce and analyze the category “the life cycle of automated system scenarios”. The life cycle consists of a sequence of stages. The leading success factor of any scenario is the support of the scenario during all stages of its life cycle. The most important stages of the scenario life cycle are the following: the stage of forming the event set for generating the scenario, the stage of performing the sequence of scenario events and the stage of situational analysis of the external and internal environment of the event. In the article it is proposed to use a theoretical set model in order to select an element from a set of alternatives. The elements are events for designing a scenario. The model uses fuzzy logic and is based on the process of controlling an array of parameters if variants are available. The model is used to support the stage of forming a set of events for generating the scenario. The mathematical model of automated system operation which is used to support the stage of performing the sequence of scenario events is suggested in the article. The model is based on the principle of information logistics: each parameter (a set of data) is in the right place in the automated system, ‘just-in-time’ and in the required format. A modified frame model is proposed to support situational analysis. The situational analysis is used to operate the event algorithms and to determine the next event in the scenario. The modified frame model is based on the use of fuzzy logic procedures in a frame network.

scholarly journals Digital Transformation of Forest Services in Finland—A Case Study for Improving Business Processes

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 781
Author(s):  
Ville Kankaanhuhta ◽  
Tuula Packalen ◽  
Kari Väätäinen
Keyword(s):  
Business Processes ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Single Type ◽  
Stand Management ◽  
Young Stand ◽  
Commercial Viability ◽  
Soil Preparation ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Agile Software

This case study introduces an innovation and development concept for agile software tools for the improvement of the productivity and customer experience of forest services. This need was recognized in the context of the opening of forest data and the development of service platforms for a forest-based bioeconomy in Finland. The forest services that were studied covered a continuum from a single type of work, e.g., soil preparation and young stand management through timber procurement, to comprehensive forest property management services. The study concentrated on the needs of micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which provide either retail- or business to business (B2B) services as sub-contractors. In addition, the challenges and bottlenecks in service processes detected by other stakeholders were considered. The prevailing service processes were conceptually modelled in order to search for opportunities for improvements in business and ecosystem services, i.e., agile software concepts. For example, we examined whether it would be possible to create opportunities for flexible operational models for precision, resilience, and protection of valuable microsites in forests. These software concepts were developed and evaluated in co-operation with the stakeholders in a co-creative workshop. The technological feasibility and commercial viability of the concepts, as well as the desirability for the customer were considered. The results of this business development process—i.e., agile software concepts and their anticipated benefits—were provided for further evaluation. In addition to the practical implications of this kind of innovation process tested, the potential of these kinds of agile tools for the further development of knowledge-intensive service processes was further discussed.

scholarly journals Reinforcement Learning to Send Reminders at Right Moments in Smartphone Exercise Application: A Feasibility Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6059
Author(s):  
Shihan Wang ◽  
Karlijn Sporrel ◽  
Herke van Hoof ◽  
Monique Simons ◽  
Rémi D. D. de Boer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reinforcement Learning ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Just In Time ◽  
Healthcare Intervention ◽  
Adaptive Intervention ◽  
Mobile Healthcare ◽  
Crucial Component ◽  
Application Data ◽  
The Right

Just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) has gained attention recently and previous studies have indicated that it is an effective strategy in the field of mobile healthcare intervention. Identifying the right moment for the intervention is a crucial component. In this paper the reinforcement learning (RL) technique has been used in a smartphone exercise application to promote physical activity. This RL model determines the ‘right’ time to deliver a restricted number of notifications adaptively, with respect to users’ temporary context information (i.e., time and calendar). A four-week trial study was conducted to examine the feasibility of our model with real target users. JITAI reminders were sent by the RL model in the fourth week of the intervention, while the participants could only access the app’s other functionalities during the first 3 weeks. Eleven target users registered for this study, and the data from 7 participants using the application for 4 weeks and receiving the intervening reminders were analyzed. Not only were the reaction behaviors of users after receiving the reminders analyzed from the application data, but the user experience with the reminders was also explored in a questionnaire and exit interviews. The results show that 83.3% reminders sent at adaptive moments were able to elicit user reaction within 50 min, and 66.7% of physical activities in the intervention week were performed within 5 h of the delivery of a reminder. Our findings indicated the usability of the RL model, while the timing of the moments to deliver reminders can be further improved based on lessons learned.

scholarly journals When brain damage “improves” perception: neglect patients can localize motion-shifted probes better than controls

2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (6) ◽  
pp. 3351-3358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefania de Vito ◽  
Marine Lunven ◽  
Clémence Bourlon ◽  
Christophe Duret ◽  
Patrick Cavanagh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Visual Fields ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Stimulus Motion ◽  
Attentional Processes ◽  
Position Shift ◽  
The Right ◽  
High Level ◽  
Better Than

When we look at bars flashed against a moving background, we see them displaced in the direction of the upcoming motion (flash-grab illusion). It is still debated whether these motion-induced position shifts are low-level, reflexive consequences of stimulus motion or high-level compensation engaged only when the stimulus is tracked with attention. To investigate whether attention is a causal factor for this striking illusory position shift, we evaluated the flash-grab illusion in six patients with damaged attentional networks in the right hemisphere and signs of left visual neglect and six age-matched controls. With stimuli in the top, right, and bottom visual fields, neglect patients experienced the same amount of illusion as controls. However, patients showed no significant shift when the test was presented in their left hemifield, despite having equally precise judgments. Thus, paradoxically, neglect patients perceived the position of the flash more veridically in their neglected hemifield. These results suggest that impaired attentional processes can reduce the interaction between a moving background and a superimposed stationary flash, and indicate that attention is a critical factor in generating the illusory motion-induced shifts of location.

Teaching the Future of Technology in the History Classroom: A Case Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 253-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Staley
Keyword(s):  
Incomplete Information ◽  
The State ◽  
Historical Inquiry ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Traditional Methods ◽  
Research Seminar ◽  
Historical Method ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Right

This article will describe how historians can teach the future of technology. Historians need not alter their traditional methods of historical inquiry to teach the future, and indeed the history classroom is a natural site for foresight education. Historical inquiry begins with questions, and futuring similarly begins with asking the right questions. The historian seeks out evidence, and futurists as well identify drivers and blockers, considering how these drivers and blockers will interact with each other. In contrast to social scientists, historians work with imperfect or incomplete information, an apt description of the state of our evidence about the future. In a manner similar to historians, futurists interpret and draw inferences from evidence. After the research an analysis of the evidence is complete, the historian/futurist writes representations. This article will describe how I employed the historical method to teach the future of technology in a history research seminar, the results produced by the students, and ways that the study of the future can be situated in the history classroom.

A Multi-Purpose Method for SMA Actuator Development

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Langbein ◽  
Alexander Czechowicz
Keyword(s):  
Standardized Testing ◽  
Shape Memory ◽  
Smart Materials ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Sma Actuators ◽  
Shape Memory Actuators ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
Sma Actuator ◽  
Actual Shape

Shape memory alloys (SMA) are thermally activated smart materials. Due to their ability to change into a previously imprinted actual shape through the means of thermal activation, they are suitable as actuators for mechatronical systems. Despite of the advantages shape memory alloy actuators provide, these elements are only seldom integrated by engineers into mechatronical systems. Reasons are the complex characteristics, especially at different boundary conditions and the missing simulation- and design tools. Also the lack of knowledge and empirical data are a reason why development projects with shape memory actuators often lead to failures. Therefore, a need of developing methods, standardized testing of empirical properties and computer aided simulation tools is motivated. While computer-aided approaches have been discussed in further papers, as well as standardization potentials of SMA actuators, this paper focuses on a developing method for SMA actuators. The main part of the publication presents the logical steps which have to be passed, in order to develop an SMA actuator, considering several options like mechanical, thermal, and electrical options. As a result of the research work, the paper proves this method by one example in the field of SMA-valve technology.

MAPPING THE PERCEPTION AND REALITY OF OPEN INNOVATION

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (06) ◽  
pp. 1340016 ◽  
Author(s):  
JUSTYNA DĄBROWSKA ◽  
IRINA FIEGENBAUM ◽  
ANTERO KUTVONEN
Keyword(s):  
Open Innovation ◽  
Innovation Management ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Innovation Research ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Current State ◽  
Business Practitioners ◽  
The Right ◽  
Innovation Practices ◽  
Innovation Processes

Open innovation holds great potential for improving the efficiency of companies' innovation processes, but also presents substantial risks. A key issue in innovation management is finding the right balance of openness, i.e., determining how open companies should be in their innovation activities. However, academics and business practitioners hold conflicting notions of what constitutes open innovation practice and of how "open innovation companies" are defined. In this paper, we present three in-depth case studies of global R&D-intensive companies, where we find that the firms' perception of their openness differs from their actual situation (as determined by the innovation practices that they apply), and that each company has a different view as to what constitutes open innovation. We claim that resolving conceptual ambiguity and differentiating between openness (as a philosophical aspect) and open innovation (as a way of structuring the innovation process) in research is critical in order to clarify the current state of open innovation research and enable the communication of results to practitioners.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document