Search Results (16)

Systems developed and operated by different stakeholders are increasingly interconnected. When multiple systems collaborate in a shared environment and together provide emerging functionalities, they are referred to as systems of systems. These types of systems can be further classified by their level of centralized management and decision-making, reflecting the distribution of responsibilities and ownership among enterprises. This paper introduces two systems of systems architecting processes tailored to different levels of centralized decision-making. These processes aim to define the architectural design space, which is characterized by both the operations of the constituent systems and the composition of the systems of systems across various levels. Full article

Data sovereignty has emerged as a critical concern for enterprises, cloud service providers (hyperscalers), end-users, and policymakers at both national and international levels. In response, cloud-based distributed computing models have been proposed as frameworks to enforce data sovereignty requirements. This study aims to evaluate and enhance data sovereignty practices within public cloud environments. Through a comprehensive literature review, we analyze existing reference architectures and solutions that address data sovereignty, identifying the technological and economic constraints they impose, such as increased computational costs associated with specific frameworks and cryptographic measures. To address these challenges, we propose an abstract data sovereignty model designed to aid system designers and architects in developing compliant cloud-based systems. Additionally, we conduct computational experiments assessing the performance of the IDS connector, a key data sovereignty tool, deployed on the Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure. Results reveal that while the geographic location of the software significantly impacts performance, the choice of cloud platform minimally influences the IDS connector’s efficiency. These findings offer insights into optimizing data sovereignty strategies for cloud solutions, with implications for future system design and policy development. Full article

Planners and architects should be able to incorporate digital technologies and data utilization to fulfil their professional duty of speculating how people will interact and transact with urban configurations. Analysing spatial patterns and their association with social behaviour contributes to harnessing the impact of connectivity on economic, social, environmental, and land value growth. This research presents a mathematical relationship between three variables; as a result, by the transitive property, the connectivity value of every individual street in the urban spatial layout should indicate the location of the urban block according to their sizes and be related in the same manner. The research aims to investigate the following question: is there a positive of negative statistical coefficient correlation between residential plot sizes and connectivity/integration values presented by Depth Map X in two urban villages in Sulaimanya city? The first section’s findings support the transitive property discussed in the research; furthermore, the second section shows an imbalance in the quantity of residential plots of different sizes on each street, causing the effectiveness of the exploitation of urban land in the case studies to decrease, which disagrees with the standards outlined by the Iraqi Roads and Buildings Regulation and the theories of space syntax. This study contributes to the future design of similar projects in the region by emphasizing the need for the authorities to compel building enterprises to adhere to these standards. Full article

We explored the proactive responses of local communities against locally experienced climate change impacts and anticipated threats. This study interviewed 124 rural households from three community forestry user groups representing three ecological regions of Nepal using a semi-structured questionnaire. The study used eight criteria to distinguish the proactive nature of adaptation. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyze data, including the use of a chi-square (χ²) test to determine the proactive measures and their association with livelihood options and the ordered logistic regression model to explain determining factors of choosing proactive adaptations. The results indicate that 83.9% of households adapted both proactive and reactive measures, while 10.5% applied solely reactive adaptation and 5.6% were earmarked only for proactive adaptation measures. Over 50 different proactive adaptation measures were implemented by the households. The measures were significantly associated with agricultural diversification, cash crop cultivation, livestock raising, small-scale enterprise development, and disaster control. Socio-economic and spatial factors such as a household’s wellbeing, land holding size, geographical location, livelihood options, and the number of adaptation measures implemented by households were found to be decisive factors in choosing proactive adaptation. The study concludes that local people in Nepal are not only aware of escalating climate risks but also engage their cognition and knowledge proactively to adapt locally. The results suggest that even small proactive initiatives by households can offer multiple benefits against climate risks as an architect of individuals. Therefore, adopting a trans-disciplinary approach and nurturing local proactive actions in strategic connectivity between environmental, political, and societal functions is pivotal, which primarily takes a step to drive expediently successful climate change policy and strategy implementation. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into policy and strategy planning for the unsolicited consequences of climate change and highlight the importance of understanding the perspective of local communities in adaptation planning and implementation. Full article

We discuss the collaboration support of loosely coupled Smart Systems through configurable hyper-frameworks. Based on the system-of-systems (SoS) paradigm, in this article, we propose the model of a novel extendible conceptual framework with domain-specific moderation support for model-based simulations and the engineering of complex heterogeneous systems. The domain knowledge meta-model and corresponding management enterprise architecture enable the creation of template-based specializations. The proposed SoS conceptual framework meta-model represents an initial framework prototype that supports modeling, simulation, analysis, and utilization of dynamic architecting of heterogeneous SoS configurations. A Smart-Habitat concept encapsulating Smart-Area, Smart-City, Smart-Lot, Smart-Building, and Smart-Unit abstractions illustrate the frameworks’ applicability. The proposed SoS conceptual framework represents the initial conceptual support for modeling, simulation, analysis, and dynamic architecting of heterogeneous SoS configurations. We plan to refine the component architecture meta-model, specify a language workbench with Domain-Specific Orchestration Language support, and verify the configuration-based simulation manifest creation. These actions lead to the framework’s next stage, an operational framework (OF) instance, as a transitional artifact to the aimed software framework (SwF) counterpart. Full article

With the ever-increasing wide spread of the Internet, the number of web services, web applications, and IoT devices is growing every year. This brings a number of challenges, both in terms of network bandwidth and the ability to scale individual computing nodes, whether they are large systems running in computing clouds or smaller IoT devices running closer to their data sources (so-called edge computing). In both cases, the way to cope with handling large numbers of users/requests is horizontal scaling, the implementation of which today is using the concept of microservices. However, the concept itself is not enough—we need ready-made application frameworks that allow us to easily implement and deploy efficient services. In the case of the Java ecosystem, which is one of the most mature platforms for enterprise-class software development, several frameworks dedicated to the development of microservices have been engineered recently. These tools support system developers in implementing communication, computation, and data storage mechanisms. However, so far, there is a lack of comparative analysis of individual solutions in the scholarly discourse to assess their performance and production maturity, so the authors in this article try to fill this gap. Based on synthetic tests developed by the authors, the most promising frameworks (Spring Boot, Micronaut, Quarkus) were analyzed both in terms of computational, compilation, or deployment performance. The results obtained can help system architects make rational and evidence-driven choices of system architecture and technology stacks. Full article

The implementation of building information modeling (BIM) methodology in the construction industry has wide applicability with recognized benefits when designing, constructing, and operating buildings. To stay competitive in business, companies are urged to recruit professionals that offer brand-new knowledge and skillsets. To meet this demand, BIM training regarding the concept, range of applications, and tools available is required within the construction profession. A recent short course organized by the University of Lisbon, Portugal, actualized with the most relevant achievements in Master’s degree research, was offered to professionals in the industry, namely, architects and civil engineers coming from diverse engineering areas such as the environment, construction, maintenance, contracting and surveyors, and from patrimonial enterprises and public organizations, as well as city councils. The proposed action covers the areas of construction (conflict analysis, planning, and material quantity), structures (interoperability, analyses, and the transfer of information between software types), and the most recent heritage building information modeling (HBIM) perspectives. The methodology used was based on the presentation of case studies related to situations of conflict between disciplines, interoperability problems, and the structural rehabilitation of old buildings. The difficulties found in the course are mainly due to the heterogeneity of the participating population, who have different interests and specific perspectives. The participants followed the course with great interest and satisfaction, formulating several questions directed at the particular field of expertise of each professional. In general, the participants indicated a positive score, and changes in response to negative feedback will be adopted in future courses. The course aims to contribute to the dissemination of the potential of BIM in the design, construction, and refurbishment of historical buildings. Full article

Enterprise architecture (EA) is a high-level abstraction of a business’ levels that aids in organizing planning and making better decisions. Researchers have concluded that the scope of EA is not focused only on technology planning but that the lack of business strategy and processes is the most important challenge of EA frameworks. The purpose of this article is to visualize the business strategy of a company using ArchiMate. Having a better understanding of how the concepts of strategic planning are used in businesses, we hope to improve their modelling with ArchiMate. This article adds to the existing literature by evaluating existing EA modelling languages and their skillfulness in model strategy. Furthermore, this article contributes to the identification of challenges in modelling and investigation of the ease of the use of language in the field of strategic planning. Furthermore, this article provides an approach to practitioners and EA architects who are attempting to develop efficient EA modelling projects and solve business complexity problems. Full article

The power system transition to smart grids brings challenges to electricity distribution network development since it involves several stakeholders and actors whose needs must be met to be successful for the electricity network upgrade. The technological challenges arise mainly from the various distributed energy resources (DERs) integration and use and network optimization and security. End-customers play a central role in future network operations. Understanding the network’s evolution through possible network operational scenarios could create a dedicated and reliable roadmap for the various stakeholders’ use. This paper presents a method to develop the evolving operational scenarios and related management schemes, including microgrid control functionalities, and analyzes the evolution of electricity distribution networks considering medium and low voltage grids. The analysis consists of the dynamic descriptions of network operations and the static illustrations of the relationships among classified actors. The method and analysis use an object-oriented and standardized software modeling language, the unified modeling language (UML). Operational descriptions for the four evolution phases of electricity distribution networks are defined and analyzed by Enterprise Architect, a UML tool. This analysis is followed by the active management architecture schemes with the microgrid control functionalities. The graphical models and analysis generated can be used for scenario building in roadmap development, real-time simulations, and management system development. The developed method, presented with high-level use cases (HL-UCs), can be further used to develop and analyze several parallel running control algorithms for DERs providing ancillary services (ASs) in the evolving electricity distribution networks. Full article

In this workshop we discussed the progress and results of six Horizon 2020 projects—INSTRUCT, BIMEET, The nZEB Roadshow, TRAIN4SUSTAIN, HP4All, and BUSLeague—about how to increase the number of skilled building professionals and/or blue-collar workers across the building design, operation, and maintenance value chain (designers, architects, engineers, building managers, technicians, installers, blue-collar workers including apprentices, and other building professionals), with a specific focus on the engagement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Full article

There is a problem in coping with design errors in ship design. Ships are generally very large and often very complex. Yet, we rarely invest in full-scale prototypes so design errors are frequently revealed once ships are at sea and certain errors can be catastrophic, others lead to many ships having shortened useful lives. The paper starts by considering the nature of design errors and failures in large-scale engineering enterprises. This is followed by looking briefly at some lessons from maritime history concerning how design errors arise and can even lead to ships sinking. A specific well-documented case of calculation error in sizing a new ship design is reviewed and lessons drawn. The relevance of general approaches to avoiding engineering errors and ever-greater emphasis on risk mitigation procedures and applying safety regimes alongside ethical guidance is reviewed. The changing nature of ship design practice is discussed, with ship designers between the horns of the dilemma of ever greater ability provided by computer driven precision and the demands for their designs to be seen to perform effectively in an increasingly uncertain and complex world. Final thoughts consider the basis for judging what might be good or bad ship designs, how errors can be addressed, and the ultimate safety role of the naval architect as the overall designer of complex vessels. Full article

In recent years, the literature has emphasized theory building in the context of Enterprise Architecture (EA) research. Specifically, scholars tend to focus on EA-based capabilities that organize and deploy organization-specific resources to align strategic objectives with the technology’s particular use. Despite the growth in EA studies, substantial gaps remain in the literature. The most substantial gaps are that the conceptualization of EA-based capabilities still lacks a firm base in theory and that there is limited empirical evidence on how EA-based capabilities drive business transformation and deliver benefits to the firm. Therefore, this study focuses on EA-based capabilities, using the dynamic capabilities view as a theoretical foundation, and develops and tests a new research model that explains how dynamic enterprise architecture capabilities lead to organizational benefits. The research model’s hypotheses are tested using a dataset that contains responses from 299 CIO’s, IT managers, and lead architects. Based on this study’s outcomes, we contend that dynamic enterprise architecture capabilities positively enhance firms’ process innovation and business–IT alignment. These mediating forces are both positively associated with organizational benefits. The firms’ EA resources and specifically EA deployment practices are essential in cultivating dynamic enterprise architecture capabilities. This study advances our understanding of how to efficaciously de-lineate dynamic enterprise architecture capabilities in delivering benefits to the organization. Full article

Several high-tech manufacturing technologies are emerging to meet the demand for mass customized products. These technologies include configurable robots, augmented reality and the Internet-of-Things. Manufacturing enterprises can leverage these new technologies to pursue increased flexibility, i.e., the ability to perform a larger variety of activities within a shorter time. However, the flexibility offered by these new technologies is not fully exploited, because current operations management techniques are not dynamic enough to support high variability and frequent change. The HORSE Project investigated several of the new technologies to find novel ways to improve flexibility, as part of the Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. The purpose of the project was to develop a system, integrating these new technologies, to support efficient and flexible manufacturing. This article presents the core result of the project: a reference architecture for a manufacturing operations management system. It is based on the application and extension of business process management (BPM) to manage dynamic manufacturing processes. It is argued that BPM can complement current operations management techniques by acting as an orchestrator in manufacturing processes augmented by smart technologies. Building on well-known information systems’ architecting frameworks, design science research is performed to determine how BPM can be applied and adapted in smart manufacturing operations. The resulting reference architecture is realized in a concrete HORSE system and deployed and evaluated in ten practical cases, of which one is discussed in detail. It is shown that the developed system can flexibly orchestrate the manufacturing process through vertical control of all agents, and dynamic allocation of agents in the manufacturing process. Based on that, we conclude that BPM can be applied to overcome some of the obstacles toward increased flexibility and smart manufacturing. Full article

Information technology architecture is an essential element of an enterprise’s strategy and impacts competitive advantage. The management of information technology architectures is unexplored in theory and confused in practice. In particular, the roles of information technology architects are interpreted in various ways. The purpose of this study is to examine the roles of information technology architects by investigating the required activities and skills demanded in the human resources market. In-depth content analysis was applied on job advertisements. Categories were inductively developed by allocating meaning units until saturation: 2438 meaning units were assigned to 37 task categories and 49 skill categories. As a result, three types of architects with distinctive profiles were identified. In addition to technological expertise, all architects must provide outstanding social and methodological skills. Knowledge of particular frameworks is rarely required. Skills and architect types from The Open Group Architecture Framework were disproved in parts. Attributes specific to e-commerce architects and digital architects were elaborated. The found task and skill categories may be used as catalogs for recruiting purposes in practice. Full article

Previous studies have investigated how resilience can play a pivotal role in strategic urban design in the Netherlands and in some regional and municipal planning laws in Italy. Here, we have analysed several European projects that utilised the resilience approach successfully. Dutch policies already include resilience and climate adaptation in urban strategies. Moreover, they share those strategies with urban communities, making the innovation of the city real and cutting-edge. In Italy, on the other hand, the concept of resilience is present only in some regional laws and is still not used as an urban tool. In this paper, we aim to demonstrate how resilience can become the new paradigm of smart planning. Furthermore, we demonstrate how resilience is fundamental at all levels of urban intervention, involving municipal authorities, architects and urban planners, firms and enterprises, citizens and communities. The urban governance must establish specific goals and objectives to create a smart and sustainable city. Resilience should be one of these main aims, in order to achieve an innovative city design. A climate strategy should also be part of urban smart planning, enabling the implementation of a safer and resilient city. Full article