Designing data center network by analytic hierarchy process

The demand for delivery services for large-sized content such as video has increased dramatically, and the use of cloud computing services in which users can use IT services via networks has also increased. To provide these services with high quality and high reliability, ISPs need to carefully design network topology and the positions of data centers. However, network topology and data center location strongly affect various evaluation criteria, such as cost, path length, and reliability; therefore, these criteria with different respective units need to be considered simultaneously when designing a data center network. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is a way to make a rational decision considering multiple criteria. This paper proposes to design data center networks by evaluating both network topology and data center locations simultaneously using AHP and also shows the numerical results of applying the proposed design method to the three areas of Japan, USA, and Europe. We investigate the properties of desirable data center networks in these three areas, and compare the results with those obtained by the enumeration method.     

Designing a sustainable supply chain using an integrated analytic network process and goal programming approach in quality function deployment

Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) provides economic, social end environmental requirements in material and service flows occurring between suppliers, manufacturers and customers. SSCM structure is considered as a prerequisite for a sustainable success. Thus designing an effective SCM structure provides competitive advantages for the companies. In order to achieve an effective design of this structure, it is possible to apply quality function deployment (QFD) approach which is successfully applied as an effective product and system development tool. This study presents a decision framework where analytic network process (ANP) integrated QFD and zero-one goal programming (ZOGP) models are used in order to determine the design requirements which are more effective in achieving a sustainable supply chain (SSC). The first phase of the QFD is the house of quality (HOQ) which transforms customer requirements into product design requirements. In this study, after determining the sustainability requirements named customer requirements (CRs) and design requirements (DRs) of a SSC, ANP is employed to determine the importance levels in the HOQ considering the interrelationships among the DRs and CRs. Furthermore ZOGP approach is used to take into account different objectives of the problem. The proposed method is applied through a case study and obtained results are discussed.     

Designing a closed-loop supply chain network for citrus fruits crates considering environmental and economic issues

Most cities, notably major and agricultural ones, are faced with environmental and waste problems. Distribution and collection of agricultural crops can be challenging duties as world demand and production are substantially increased. Accordingly, resource depletion, environmental concern, and the importance of the circular economy have convinced this research group to focus on a Closed-Loop Supply Chain (CLSC) network design. In this study, a new mixed linear mathematical model for a CLSC was developed which minimizes the CLSC’s total costs and which tackles and controls air pollution. Contrary to previous works about supply chain network design, we firstly consider citrus fruits’ crates in our model. To solve the model, two leading algorithms, Genetic Algorithm and Simulated Annealing, are employed and a third recently successful method, Keshtel Algorithm, is utilized. Further, two hybridization algorithms stemmed from mentioned ones are applied. Finally, the results are assessed by different criteria and compared, and then the two best algorithms are chosen in this case. Consequently, in order to achieve the most effective result, a real case study of crates was conducted. The results obviously presented applicability and efficiency of the proposed model. Thus, the most suitable network for CLSC of citrus fruits’ crates was designed in which the costs and emissions were reduced.     

Designing for radical tailorability: coupling artifact and rationale

Creativity and cognition are discussed in the context of tailoring computer applications. Computer applications, such as word processors and graphics editors, suffer from a lack of informal design rationale to accompany and throw light upon the meaning behind the implementation of the application. The working hypothesis is that coupling uninterpreted rationale (such as pictures, diagrams, stories, scenarios, and argumentation) with formal software artifacts will give professional computer users enough background understanding for them to be able to make creative and meaningful extensions to the foreground artifacts with only a partial understanding of the implementation language.     

Multi‐product supply chain horizontal network integration: models,theory, and computational results

In this paper, we develop multi‐product supply chain network models with explicit capacities, before and after their horizontal integration. In addition, we propose a measure, which allows one to quantify and assess, from a supply chain network perspective, the synergy benefits associated with the integration of multi‐product firms through mergers/acquisitions. We utilize a system‐optimization perspective for the model development and provide the variational inequality formulations, which are then utilized to propose a computational procedure which fully exploits the underlying network structure. We illustrate the theoretical and computational framework with numerical examples. This paper is a contribution to the literatures of supply chain integration and mergers and acquisitions.     

Designing a visualization framework for multidimensional data

Interest in visualization has grown in recent years, producing rapid advances in the diversity of research and in the scope of proposed techniques. Much of the initial focus in computer-based visualization concentrated on display algorithms, often for specific domains. For example, volume, flow, and terrain visualization techniques have generated significant insights into fundamental graphics and visualization theory, aiding the application experts who use these techniques to advance their own research. More recent work has extended visualization to abstract data sets like network intrusion detection, recommender systems, and database query results. This article describes our initial end-to-end system that starts with data management and continues through assisted visualization design, display, navigation, and user interaction. The purposes of this discussion are to (i) promote a more comprehensive visualization framework; (ii) describe how to apply expertise from human psychophysics, databases, rational logic, and artificial intelligence to visualization; and (iii) illustrate the benefits of a more complete framework using examples from our own experiences.     

A holonic approach based integration methodology for transportation and warehousing functions of the supply network

The supply chain (SC) is often defined as a network that is composed of different functions, including suppliers, manufacturing plants, warehouses/distribution centers, retailers and customers. A supply network (SN) is a sequence of different and multiple numbers of functions and individual functional units that must satisfy all capacities and demand requirements imposed by customers with minimum cost to the network. The most important functions of a SN are warehousing and transportation functions. This paper addresses the warehousing and transportation network design problem that involves determining the best strategy for distributing the sub-products from the suppliers to the warehouse and from the warehouse to the manufacturers. Considering some similarities between holonic systems and SN systems, a holonic approach based modeling methodology is proposed in this study. A multiple supplier, single warehouse and multiple manufacturer system are considered to be an integrated warehousing and transportation network. Consequently, a linear programming model is presented to maximize the profit of both of the overall SN and the individual functional units of the SN functions.     

The integration of network data base management and problem resolution

The value and nature of a mixed approach to knowledge representation is examined. The mixed approach utilizes data base techniques and expressions in first-order predicate calculus. The nature of a general problem processor that can use information organized according to the mixed approach is discussed and illustrated. The user's language interface with this problem processor is non-procedural and English-like. The utilization of predicate calculus axioms for data integrity and program module management is also explored.     

Solving a multi-objective master planning problem with substitution and a recycling process for a capacitated multi-commodity supply chain network

This study focuses on solving the multi-objective master planning problem for supply chains by considering product structures with multiple final products using substitutions, common components, and recycled components. This study considers five objectives in the planning process: (1) minimizing the delay cost, (2) minimizing the substitution priority, (3) minimizing the recycling penalty, (4) minimizing the substitution cost, and (5) minimizing the cost of production, processing, inventory holding and transportation. This study proposes a heuristic algorithm, called the GA-based Master Planning Algorithm (GAMPA), to solve the supply-chain master planning problem efficiently and effectively. GAMPA first transforms the closed-loop supply chain into an open-loop supply chain that plans and searches the sub-networks for each final product. GAMPA then uses a genetic algorithm to sort and sequence the demands. GAMPA selects the chromosome that generates the best planning result according to the priority of the objectives. GAMPA plans each demand sequentially according to the selected chromosome and a randomly-selected production tree. GAMPA tries different production trees for each demand and selects the best planning result at the end. To show the effectiveness and efficiency of GAMPA, a prototype was constructed and tested using complexity analysis and computational analysis to demonstrate the power of GAMPA.     

Business process integration as a solution to the implementation of supply chain management systems

In the domain of supply chain management (SCM), various software packages have been developed for planning business strategies. To solve the problem of system productivity in applying planning packages, we propose a solution concept, business process integration (BPI), which fuses workflow and enterprise application integration (EAI) technology. Two characteristic policies are included in BPI. The first is to design the minimum set of business processes for real-time information sharing with planning packages without changing other processes. The second is to integrate several systems with EAI technology and to manage their execution with a workflow tool. Based on these policies, we propose various design templates and integration adapters. Our evaluation shows that using BPI, a target system can be developed with less manpower, in less time, and with higher quality than previous methods.     

Designing an integrated multi-echelon agile supply chain network: a hybrid taguchi-particle swarm optimization approach

The present paper attempts to explore the integration of production, distribution and logistics activities at the strategic decision making level where, the objective is to design a multi-echelon supply chain network considering agility as a key design criterion. The design network conceived here addresses a class of five echelons of supply chains including suppliers, plants, distribution centers, cross-docks and customer zones. The problem has been mathematically formulated as a multi-objective optimization model that aims to minimize the cost (fixed and variable) and maximizes the plant flexibility and volume flexibility. The notion of cross-dock has been introduced as an intermediate level between distribution centers and customer zones to increase the profitability of manufacturing and service industries. In order to solve the underlying problem, a novel algorithm entitled hybrid taguchi-particle swarm optimization (HTPSO) has been proposed that incorporates the characteristics of statistical design of experiments and random search techniques. The main idea is to integrate the fundamentals of taguchi method i.e. orthogonal array and signal to noise ratio (SNR) in the PSO meta-heuristic to minimize the effect of the causes of variations. The proposed model has been authenticated by undertaking problem instances of varying size. Extensive computational experiments are conducted to validate the same and also the efficacy of the proposed HTPSO algorithm. The results obtained reveal that proposed solution methodology is an effective approach to solve the underlying problem.     

Designing a road network for hazardous materials shipments

We consider the problem of designating hazardous materials routes in and through a major population center. Initially, we restrict our attention to a minimally connected network (a tree) where we can predict accurately the flows on the network. We formulate the tree design problem as an integer programming problem with an objective of minimizing the total transport risk. Such design problems of moderate size can be solved using commercial solvers. We then develop a simple construction heuristic to expand the solution of the tree design problem by adding road segments. Such additions provide carriers with routing choices, which usually increase risks but reduce costs. The heuristic adds paths incrementally, which allows local authorities to trade off risk and cost. We use the road network of the city of Ravenna, Italy, to demonstrate the solution of our integer programming model and our path-addition heuristic.     

Designing a decision support system to evaluate and select suppliers using fuzzy analytic network process

Recent information and communication developments caused that global organizations spread out their markets throughout the world. In this environment, local exclusive markets have been replaced with global competitive ones. Therefore, organizations must concentrate on their main operations to survive in such an environment. To do so, managers have intended to cooperate with some financial partners in long-term relations. In this paper, the aim is to develop a fuzzy analytic network process (ANP) model to evaluate the potential suppliers and select the best one(s) with respect to the vendor important factors. Additionally, ANP is developed by fuzzy sets theory to cover the indeterminacy of decisions made in this field. The authors have augmented the model with a non-linear programming model to elicit eigenvectors from fuzzy comparison matrices. Hybridization of these two concepts can model supplier selection problem in all circumstances and reaches the optimal choice. Finally, a numerical sample is used to validate the proposed model.     

供水管网运行数据采集系统设计

为保证供水管网的安全运行,供水部门需要对管网运行中的压力、流量、温度等参数进行实时监测。针对供水管网分布位置比较分散的特点,设计了一种基于无线通信技术的智能多路巡检仪信号检测方案。该系统不仅可实现供水管网运行状态监测,而且还能够及时将管网运行数据发送到监控中心,为供水管线的调度运行提供科学的依据。     

Analytic network process and multi-period goal programming integration in purchasing decisions

This paper presents a multi-period inventory lot sizing scenario, where there is single product and multiple suppliers. By considering multi-period planning horizon, an integrated approach of Archimedean Goal Programming (AGP) and Analytic Network Process (ANP) is suggested. This integrated approach proposes a two-stage mathematical model to evaluate the suppliers and to determine their periodic shipment allocations given a number of tangible and intangible criteria. In the evaluation stage, the suppliers are evaluated according to 14 criteria that are involved in four control hierarchies; benefit, opportunity, cost and risk (BOCR). In the shipment stage, a multi objective mixed integer linear programming (MOMILP) model is described to solve the order allocation problem. This MOMILP model is suggested to achieve target values of periodic goals: budget, aggregate quality, total value of purchasing (TVP) and demand over the planning horizon, without exceeding vendor production capacities. This multi-period model is solved by using AGP. Finally some computational experiments are conducted to test the performance of the proposed method.     

Designing screens for people to use easily

The use of interactive computer systems is expanding rapidly. In many applications users can communicate directly with computer-based systems through an interactive dialogue at a display terminal. However, this direct form of communication has created problems. Whereas early users of on-line systems were skilled computer professionals, today's users may have little or no training in computer technology. How then does this group communicate effectively with a computer systems?

The answer is that many users communicate only with considerable difficulty. The result is that the effectiveness of many systems is very much less than expected. The reason for this is simple: these systems are not very good at communicating with their users.

The most common communications bridge between a person and a computer system is a display screen. A well-designed screen format can enhance user productivity, eliminate or reduce user input errors, and promote end user satisfaction. A poorly designed screen has the opposite effect: it will decrease human processing speed, provoke user mistakes, and complicate computer operations.

Screen design requires the same care as designing the overall application. It employs the same techniques as planning and preparing good user documents. Screens, like documents, must be easy to understand and easy to use. To achieve these objectives, screen designers must make good choices regarding three ease-of-use parameters: format; screen content and layout; and style. This paper describes how standards may be established for each of these parameters in a proposed application or system. Futher, an interactive tutorial computer program has been developed (using Bricklin's DEMO program) which may be used to illustrate the application of these standards.     

Information security in networked supply chains: impact of network vulnerability and supply chain integration on incentives to invest

Recent supply chain reengineering efforts have focused on integrating firms’ production, inventory and replenishment activities with the help of communication networks. While communication networks and supply chain integration facilitate optimization of traditional supply chain functions, they also exacerbate the information security risk: communication networks propagate security breaches from one firm to another, and supply chain integration causes breach on one firm to affect other firms in the supply chain. We study the impact of network security vulnerability and supply chain integration on firms’ incentives to invest in information security. We find that even though an increase in either the degree of network vulnerability or the degree of supply chain integration increases the security risk, they have different impacts on firms’ incentives to invest in security. If the degree of supply chain integration is low, then an increase in network vulnerability induces firms to reduce, rather than increase, their security investments. A sufficiently high degree of supply chain integration alters the impact of network vulnerability into one in which firms have an incentive to increase their investments when the network vulnerability is higher. Though an increase in the degree of supply integration enhances firms’ incentives to invest in security, private provisioning for security always results in a less than socially optimal security level. A liability mechanism that makes the responsible party partially compensate for the other party’s loss induces each firm to invest at the socially optimal level. If firms choose the degree of integration, in addition to security investment, then firms may choose a higher degree of integration when they decide individually than when they decide jointly, suggesting an even greater security risk to the supply chain.     

Designing for social data analysis

The NameVoyager, a Web-based visualization of historical trends in baby naming, has proven remarkably popular. We describe design decisions behind the application and lessons learned in creating an application that makes do-it-yourself data mining popular. The prime lesson, it is hypothesized, is that an information visualization tool may be fruitfully viewed not as a tool but as part of an online social environment. In other words, to design a successful exploratory data analysis tool, one good strategy is to create a system that enables "social" data analysis. We end by discussing the design of an extension of the NameVoyager to a more complex data set, in which the principles of social data analysis played a guiding role.