An evaluation framework for software crowdsourcing

Recently software crowdsourcing has become an emerging area of software engineering. Few papers have presented a systematic analysis on the practices of software crowdsourcing. This paper first presents an evaluation framework to evaluate software crowdsourcing projects with respect to software quality, costs, diversity of solutions, and competition nature in crowdsourcing. Specifically, competitions are evaluated by the min-max relationship from game theory among participants where one party tries to minimize an objective function while the other party tries to maximize the same objective function. The paper then defines a game theory model to analyze the primary factors in these minmax competition rules that affect the nature of participation as well as the software quality. Finally, using the proposed evaluation framework, this paper illustrates two crowdsourcing processes, Harvard-TopCoder and AppStori. The framework demonstrates the sharp contrasts between both crowdsourcing processes as participants will have drastic behaviors in engaging these two projects.     

基于SaaS的网络管理系统框架研究

在分析4种SaaS模式的基础上,提出一种"多租赁单位-单实例进程"的SaaS网管系统模式。围绕此模式,研究了SaaS网管系统的架构与软件框架,对系统的代理程序I、nternet接口、应用中心3部分进行了设计,给出了数据采集、异构传输、数据隔离、个性定制的解决方案。该框架被应用于某实际网管系统软件,系统软件运行于南通大学,为南通市环保局、南通市软件工程研究所等单位提供网络管理租赁服务。实例运行结果表明,它完全达到了预期设计目标,其模式、架构与解决方案是可行的。     

基于TLA的SaaS业务流程定制及验证机制研究

SaaS模式已成为当前流行的软件服务形式.为满足不同租户个性化的业务服务需求,SaaS模式必须提供灵活的定制机制.为此,提出了一个支持租户业务流程定制行为建模及验证的框架.该框架以层次定制行为约束图作为定制指导,通过TLA(Temporal Logic of Actions)对各层的原子定制活动建模,并以此为基础构建租户的全局定制行为,然后基于应用的业务规则约束设计算法验证全局定制行为的正确性;为有效提高租户的定制效率,基于对多租户已有正确定制结果的统计分析,设计定制推荐算法,合理减少验证次数.仿真实验结果证实了该机制的高效性及可靠性.     

软件众包开发者的能力价值率模型研究

为了更好地评价众包软件开发者的能力,分析了众包模式下软件众包开发的三个基本要素,即大众开发者、任务发布者、众包平台,提出了一种软件众包开发者能力价值率模型。该模型将软件众包任务从子任务、时间阶段、质量特性三个维度进行细分,首先评价众包原子单元,进而综合评估整个众包软件的质量。模型在评价过程中充分考虑了开发者的价值贡献因素,推演了开发者能力价值率的计算方法。验证实验表明软件众包开发者的综合能力价值率随着任务量的增加,其变化和能力大小关系趋于一致,所设计模型具有更好的稳定性,能够有效地评估软件众包开发者能力。     

Competition matters! Self-efficacy,effort, and performance in crowdsourcing teams

Advances in information technologies (IT) have enabled organizations to seek solutions for their business problems from beyond their own workforce through digital crowdsourcing platforms. In the most common form of crowdsourcing, teams that offer solutions compete for rewards. Thus, a question of interest is whether competition is a key crowdsourcing characteristic that influences how teams allocate their effort and achieve desired performance. Motivated by this question, we investigate how competition moderates the relationship between self-efficacy and effort using comprehensive, time-variant data collected from crowdsourcing teams that completed a project under competitive and non-competitive conditions. Under competitive conditions, self-efficacy shows a positive effect on effort, which in turn, affects performance positively. Whereas, under noncompetitive conditions, self-efficacy has a negative effect on effort and subsequently on performance. Our results also show a recursive relationship between self-efficacy and performance, in which performance subsequently affects self-efficacy positively. Thus, inducing a sense of competition through competitive reward structures and IT-based “gaming elements” helps improve team effort and subsequent performance. We also tested for mediation of team motivation in the self-efficacy and effort relationship, and we found that motivation partially mediates the relationship. Based on our findings, implications for both theory and practice are discussed.     

A semantic interoperability framework for software as a service systems in cloud computing environments

In cloud computing environments in software as a service (SaaS) level, interoperability refers to the ability of SaaS systems on one cloud provider to communicate with SaaS systems on another cloud provider. One of the most important barriers to the adoption of SaaS systems in cloud computing environments is interoperability. A common tactic for enabling interoperability is the use of an interoperability framework or model. During the past few years, in cloud SaaS level, various interoperability frameworks and models have been developed to provide interoperability between systems. The syntactic interoperability of SaaS systems have already been intensively researched. However, not enough consideration has been given to semantic interoperability issues. Achieving semantic interoperability is a challenge within the world of SaaS in cloud computing environments. Therefore, a semantic interoperability framework for SaaS systems in cloud computing environments is needed. We develop a semantic interoperability framework for cloud SaaS systems. The capabilities and value of service oriented architecture for semantic interoperability within cloud SaaS systems have been studied and demonstrated. This paper is accomplished through a number of steps (research methodology). It begins with a study on related works in the literature. Then, problem statement and research objectives are explained. In the next step, semantic interoperability requirements for SaaS systems in cloud computing environments that are needed to support are analyzed. The details of the proposed semantic interoperability framework for SaaS systems in cloud computing environments are presented. It includes the design of the proposed semantic interoperability framework. Finally, the evaluation methods of the semantic interoperability framework are elaborated. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed semantic interoperability framework for SaaS systems in cloud computing environments, extensive experimentation and statistical analysis have been performed. The experiments and statistical analysis specify that the proposed semantic interoperability framework for cloud SaaS systems is able to establish semantic interoperability between cloud SaaS systems in a more efficient way. It is concluded that using the proposed framework, there is a significant improvement in the effectiveness of semantic interoperability of SaaS systems in cloud computing environments.     

.NET环境中基于SaaS模式的企业信息管理平台的研究

SaaS模式利于中小企业低成本地应用先进技术,SaaS模式下的软件开发因其独特的应用服务模式而具有研究意义。本文对SaaS模式下的企业信息管理平台的特点作出研究,在.NET环境中给出系统的功能框架、设计模式及对关键性问题的分析和解决方案。     

汽车数字供应链SaaS化新管理模式探究与实践

随着现代技术的发展,汽车产业孕育着新一轮升级。目前,汽车企业间的竞争逐步加大,已经逐步转化为供应链的竞争。而传统供应链生产管理仍然面临着市场高质量、高交期的巨大挑战,无法满足汽车企业对其生产效率的需求。因此,新的汽车供应链管理模式应运而生。研究了汽车数字供应链软件即服务(SaaS)化新管理模式,并基于SaaS平台实现探索供应链数字化管理的新生态模式。以某汽车公司为例,进行供应链SaaS生态平台实践研究,以数字化制造重塑供应链流程,解决供应链企业间数据协同,实现汽车全产业链互联互通、结构性降本增效,打造高效协作、互利共赢的新型行业生态模式。采用SaaS平台实现供应链生产管理后,其供应链管理数字化延伸,生产线开动率提升了1%,协同效率大幅提升。     

SaaS平台访问控制研究

Saas平台软件交付模式将应用软件以服务的形式提供给客户,可缩减硬件采购、系统管理上的开销。由于租户数据统一存储于服务提供商处,如何在维持较高资源利用率的同时保障租户的数据安全是一个挑战性问题。针对租户角色复杂、各租户数据共存而又独立访问的要求,结合基于角色的访问控制模型,构建了支持多租户、多角色、方便租户权限管理的SaaS平台的访问控制模型。和传统基于角色的访问控制模型相比,该模型增加了租户的概念,以租户为基本单元实施平台的访问控制,提高了SaaS平台访问控制的安全性和可管理性。分析了用户访问SaaS平台的具体流程,给出了模型的形式语言描述,实现了SaaS餐饮管理平台访问控制的数据库的物理模型,为SaaS平台开发提供参考。     

SaaS模式下大数据量统计框架的研究和实现

与传统软件相比,在软件即为服务（SaaS）模式下做大数据量统计需要应对海量数据和高并发处理问题。针对实际SaaS项目中大数据量统计框架的设计和实现,研究如何解决大数据量实时统计的性能瓶颈问题,如何提高框架的可扩展性以应对多变的业务需求,以及如何保障框架的健壮性。实际项目运行表明设计的框架能处理SaaS模式下的海量数据和高并发,并能高效地实现统计数据的实时计算查询。     

WSS平台对SaaS模式软件开发的支持

通过分析SaaS模式的多重租赁、UI设置、按需定制以及可扩展性等特点,结合WSS平台的技术,阐述了WSS平台对SaaS模式软件开发中展现其各种特点的支持,提出一种在一定范围内适用于SaaS模式软件的系统模型,并针对SaaS模式的各特点,在WSS平台中进行一些实验,最后通过一个简单的实例对其支持进行了一定的验证,最后得出结论:WSS平台可以减少SaaS模式系统中UI设置和按需定制功能开发的工作量,从而说明WSS平台在一定范围内对SaaS模式软件系统的开发进度有一定的推动作用.     

What's in a Name? Distinguishing between SaaS and SOA

Considerable confusion arises in distinguishing between software as a service (SaaS) and service-oriented architecture (SOA). Zachman's framework can help to try to make sense of the alphabet soup of Web services and utilities that form the basis for both SOA and SaaS. The difference between SaaS and SOA is that the former is a software-delivery model whereas the latter is a software-construction model. A better way to illuminate the differences between these two concepts is to use the well-known Zachman architectural model. In this article, we briefly examine the concepts of SaaS and SOA, followed by a brief history of software architectural models. We use the Zachman model to differentiate the two architectural approaches to building software. Because the Zachman model is so intuitive, the approach we take to describe the differences between SaaS and SOA works well even with non-IT professionals.     

The role of context in IT assimilation: A multi-method study of a SaaS platform in the US nonprofit sector

Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) operate in environments characterized by growing competition for resources and greater stakeholder demands for accountability, which makes deploying and maintaining information systems a struggle. In this competitive, resource-constrained environment, enterprise Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms offer NPOs a cost-effective way access reliable, low-maintenance information technology services. Thus, the extent to which NPOs assimilate SaaS is an important area of inquiry. Yet despite the wealth of research on organizational IT assimilation, we know little regarding whether, when, and how NPOs assimilate IT innovations. We further our understanding of NPO assimilation of SaaS by conducting a context-based study. To do so, we employ multiple methods with data collected from US-based NPOs executives. Our first study showed that organizational factors (e.g., readiness, top management participation) and environmental factors (e.g., social gains, industry) affect the degree to which NPOs assimilate SaaS. However, we also found that technological factors do not appear to play a significant role in NPO SaaS assimilation. We conducted a phenomenological analysis to shed further light on this unexpected finding. Our analysis found that readiness to adopt SaaS, perceptions about SaaS complexity, and the use of outside consultants all played a key role in NPOs’ assimilation process.     

面向SAAS模式的日志架构设计与实现

日志在软件系统的开发和运行阶段起着非常重要的作用。根据SaaS(Software as a Service)软件单系统多租赁这种一对多的服务模式提出一个能够与SaaS软件集成的日志架构Log4SaaS(Log For SaaS)。通过对该日志架构进行相应的配置和扩展,能够满足SaaS软件分别针对不同用户记录日志的要求。从总体上描述架构的框架设计,并对该架构所有的关键技术进行了分析和讨论,预见了日志架构未来的发展潜力。     

Determinants of choice of semantic web based Software as a Service: An integrative framework in the context of e-procurement and ERP

The ever increasing Internet bandwidth and the fast changing needs of businesses for effectiveness with the partners in the procurement chain and is leading organizations to adopt information systems infrastructures that are cost effective as well as flexible. The question seems to be: what is driving organizations to go in for Software as a Service (SaaS) based e-procurement and ERP, rather than the packaged model of software provisioning? Whereas there have been studies reporting technology, cost, quality, network externalities and process as the main variables in the utility function of the user, but most of the studies have modelled either one or two in the their models. The study is exploratory in nature and tries to identify, classify and rank dimensions affecting SaaS sourcing decisions. In this study, we developed an integrative framework to identify the determinants of choice of SaaS in the specific context of SaaS based e-procurement and ERP. The framework was then analyzed using the extended Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method suggested by Liberatore (1987) and the relative importance and the weights of the criteria identified using data collected on 8 users and 9 service providers of SaaS based e-procurement and ERP. Although the analysis helped in identifying quality and costs as the two most important determinants of choice of SaaS based e-procurement and ERP, but the other criteria such as network externality benefits, technology and process were also found to be significant determinants of choice.     

基于SaaS的协同办公平台的架构设计与实现

引入了SaaS软件服务模式,分析了基于SaaS的OA系统与传统OA的不同点及其优势。分析并设计了SaaS模式下的OA系统软件架构,并对基于SaaS的协同办公平台的业务流程进行了详细的分析与设计,最后给出了系统模块与权限管理的具体实现方法。     

An Externally Replicated Experiment for Evaluating the Learning Effectiveness of Using Simulations in Software Project Management Education

The increasing demand for software project managers in industry requires strategies for the development of the management-related knowledge and skills of the current and future software workforce. Although several approaches help teach the required skills in a university setting, few empirical studies are currently available to characterize and compare their effects. This paper presents results of an externally replicated controlled experiment that evaluates the learning effectiveness of using a process simulation model for educating computer science students in software project management. While the experimental group applies a system dynamics (SD) simulation model, the control group uses the well-known COCOMO model as a predictive tool for project planning. The results of the empirical study indicate that students using the simulation model gain a better understanding about typical behavior patterns of software development projects. The combination of the results from the initial experiment and the replication corroborates this finding. Additional analysis shows that the observed effect can mainly be attributed to the use of the simulation model in combination with a web-based role-play scenario. This finding is strongly supported by information gathered from the debriefing questionnaires of subjects in the experimental group. They consistently rated the simulation-based role-play scenario as a very useful approach for learning about issues in software project management.     

Eine Werkbank für den Zuschnitt von objektorientierten Softwareprozessen

In software industry there is a controversial discussion on the usefulness of a unified software process. The contribution presents a pragmatic solution. A generic process framework can be tailored to the needs of an individual development project with the help of a software process workbench. The core functionalities of the software process workbench, which is currently under development, are presented. First experiences from the user community and their influence on the next development stage of the workbench are discussed.     

A framework for SaaS software packages evaluation and selection with virtual team and BOCR of analytic network process

Software packages evaluation and selection is one of the most important activities encountered by software as a service (SaaS) users in the high performance networked computing environment, especially for the small or medium-sized enterprises. In this paper, we propose a framework for SaaS software packages evaluation and selection by combining the virtual team (VT) and the BOCR (benefits, opportunities, costs, and risks) of the analytic network process (ANP). Different from the traditional application of the BOCR model of ANP, the proposed VT-BOCR model attempts to solve the complex ANP model and overloaded pairwise comparisons by decomposing the tasks to four parts, and performed by benefits virtual team (B-VT), opportunities virtual team (O-VT), costs virtual team (C-VT), and risks virtual team (R-VT) separately. The interactive networked media on distributed environments not only makes the proposed framework possible without the limitations of time, space, and human resources, but also can take full advantage of the talent experts who are geographically dispersed. The proposed framework also shows great potentials for aiding practitioners and researchers concerned with the cloud services.