Fusion of preferences from different perspectives in a decision-making context

Solving a decision-making problem about a brand-new product might include preferences from a high number of potential customers (e.g., followers of a company on social media) and managerial constraints (or preferences) given by corporate managers with regard to different aspects (i.e., economical, technical, environmental, etc.) over multiple criteria (e.g., weight, capacity, color, or usefulness of a product). These give us some new insights on fusing preferences given by persons having different perspectives (e.g., economical, technical, environmental, etc.), including decision-makers, and aimed to be suitable for different organizational structures (e.g., multilevel structures). Herein, a proper representation is needed to merge preferences from each perspective, enabling their propagation, throughout an organizational structure until the level in which a decision is made. This representation is presented as a decision-making unit (DMU), and is used as the primary component of our decision-making model. In this paper, we propose a novel decision-making model that recursively merges the preferred criteria from different DMUs using the logic scoring of preference (LSP) method. An illustrative example demonstrating the applicability of the proposed model, in the context of a new product design, is included in the paper.     

Benchmarking enhancements to a decision support system for global crop production assessments

The Office of Global Analysis/International Production Assessment Division (OGA/IPAD) of the United States Department of Agriculture – Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) has been assimilating new data and information products from agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) into its operational decision support system (DSS). The FAS mission is to improve monthly estimates of global production of major agricultural commodities and provide US Government senior decision makers and the public the most accurate, timely, and objective assessment of the global food supply situation possible. These estimates are ultimately captured as the US governments’ official assessments of world food supply for the commodity markets and policy makers. The goal of this research was to measure changes in the quality and accuracy of decision support information resulting from the assimilation of new NASA products in the DSS. We gathered both qualitative and quantitative information through questionnaires and interviews to benchmark these changes. We used an interactive project lifecycle risk management tool developed for NASA mission spaceflight design and quality assurance (DDP – Defect Detection and Prevention) to do this. In this case, we used it to (1) quantify the change in DSS Objectives attained after assimilation of new products, and (2) evaluate the effectiveness of various Mitigation options against potential Risks. The change in Objectives attainment was considered the most important benchmarking indicator for examining the effectiveness of the assimilation of NASA products into OGA/IPAD’s DSS. From this research emerged a novel model for benchmarking DSSs that (1) promotes continuity and synergy within and between government agencies, (2) accommodates scientific, operational and architectural dynamics, and (3) facilitates transfer of knowledge among research, management, and decision-making agencies.     

Simulation of dynamic input buffer space in multistage interconnection networks

This paper presents a simulation study of a new dynamic allocation of input buffer space in multistage interconnection networks (MINs). MINs are composed of an interconnected set of switching elements (SEs), connected in a specific topology. The SEs are composed of input and output buffers which are used to store received and forwarded packets, respectively. The performance of these networks depends on the design of these internal buffers and the clock mechanism in synchronous MINs. Various cycle models exist which include the big cycle, small cycle and the smart cycle, each of which provides a more efficient cycle timing. The smart cycle model achieves a superior performance by using output buffers and acknowledgement. However, it suffers from lost and out-of-order packets at high traffic loads. This paper, presents a variation of the smart cycle model, whereby, the input buffer space of each SE is allocated dynamically as a function of traffic load, in order to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks. A shared buffer pool is provided, which supplies the required input buffer space as required by each SE. Simulation results are presented, which show the required buffer pool for various network sizes and for different network loads. Also, comparison with a static allocation scheme shows an increased network throughput, and the elimination of lost and out-of-order packets at high traffic loads.     

面向农产品安全生产的空间决策系统研究与实现 *

针对当前存在的农业园区资源管理低效以及盲目种植问题 ,基于 WebGIS技术构建了产地管理决策系统。采用面向对象技术建立了多用途数据库 ,满足了现时及将来多种业务系统的数据需求 ;进一步将知识模型与 GIS集成 ,实现产地环境评价、种植适宜性决策以及环境污染趋势预测等空间决策功能。实际应用证明 ,该系统提高了对园区资源的整合利用效率 ,基本实现了科学安全的种植生产。     

Collaborative design and analysis of supply chain network management key processes model

This study focuses on collaboratively designing a structured and comprehensive supply chain (SC) network management key processes model and analyzing the relative importance of these key processes for semiconductor industry. The collaborative design and analysis are performed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of over 20 members from both academia and industry. This research is based on experiences of these team members who joined a successful e-SCM project, used as a case study in this research, between the world's largest semiconductor foundry and the world's largest assembly and testing service provider. This study adopts focus group methodology for collaborative design and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) for collaborative analysis. The result of the design is a structured and comprehensive key processes model consisting of four dimensions: strategy and planning, manufacturing, logistics, and risk management (SMLR) with a total of 15 key processes included in these four dimensions. The resulting weightings from FAHP analysis can identify the most critical one dimension and four key processes since they account for approximately half of the overall weighting in their level. The SMLR model provides a structured and comprehensive reference model for future SC network management project executives, ensuring that all key processes are supported to avoid extremely costly failure. The resulting weightings provide these managers with the relative importance of these key processes and can help them make critical decisions in allocating limited resources to support the most critical processes. To confirm the results and further explore the managerial implications, a second session of focus group meeting was conducted and practices of the top three key processes in the semiconductor manufacturing industry were used to illustrate what actions can be performed to improve these processes and hence benefit the entire SC network. The research results can serve as a foundation for related academic researches.     

基于PLC和OPC的实验台挂件识别系统

OPC（OLE for process control）是一个基于组件对象模型技术的工业自动化软件接口的国际标准,随着工业控制的发展,OPC技术已被广泛应用于工业系统之中。本系统通过OPC方式在PLC的输入输出变量和Delphi 7.0的组件之间建立链接通道,实现了上位机对西门子PLC的监控。经实际测试,此系统运行稳定、可靠,效果良好。     

基于OPC技术的上位机与西门子PLC的通信

OPC是一种被广为接受的开放式的工业通信标准,在工业控制领域越来越得到广泛应用.本文介绍了基于OPC技术上位机VB程序与西门子PLC通信的实现过程,PC机能实时监控变频调速风机系统.VB不仅是上位机监控组态程序,也是OPC的客户端,需要开发OPC客户端的应用程序,实现上位机与PLC的通信.     

OPC在福建福清核电厂淡水厂项目中的应用

主要介绍OPC标准在不同品牌PLC间的通讯应用,并介绍福建福清核电厂淡水厂主控制系统(西门子PLC)与取水泵房控制系统(罗克韦尔PLC)间的几种通讯方案,各通讯方案间的优缺点和可行性,通讯方案的选择、确定及最终方案的实施情况,体现了OPC标准的实用性及可靠性。具体阐述了西门子PLC与罗克韦尔PLC之间采用OPC标准通讯的配置方式,以具体案例佐证了方案选择的可行性及科学性。     

Organizational implications of a comprehensive approach for cloud-storage sourcing

Cloud-computing facilitates consumers to source online storage-services on a pay-as-you-go basis. The sourcing of storage-as-a-service (STaaS) requires a decision maker to contend with several elements such as pricing structure, application characteristics and quality-of-service requirements, in addition to tactical considerations such as risk propensity and supplier diversification. This makes STaaS sourcing a complex task. Discussion on STaaS sourcing models addressing these aspects and their utility to decision-makers is, however, scant. In this paper, we propose a two-stage holistic approach based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Goal programming (GP). We derive insights provided by these models from 10800 runs using market-based data. We also use an experiment to assess our hypothesis concerning the impact of task complexity on decision-quality. Both these experiments have implications for different business scenarios in the STaaS market, and for decision-making. We discuss these managerial implications, and present a prototype Decision Support System (DSS) to aid STaaS selection.     

A hybrid approach based on fuzzy DEMATEL and FMCDM to predict success of knowledge management adoption in supply chain

Knowledge management (KM) adoption in the supply chain (SC) needs high investment as well as few changes in culture of entire SC. This study proposes a prediction framework based on the fuzzy decision-making trail and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (FMCDM) for KM adoption in SC. This study first identifying the evaluation criteria of KM adoption in SC from literature review and expert opinion. Further, it uses fuzzy DEMATEL to evaluate weighting of each evaluation criteria's, after that FMCDM method uses to obtain possible rating of success of KM adoption in SC. The proposed approach is helpful to predict the success of KM adoption in SC without actually adopted KM in SC. It also enables organizations to decide whether to initiate KM, restrain adoption or undertake remedial improvements to increase the possibility of successful KM adoption in SC. This prominent advantage can be considered as one of the contribution of this paper. This proposed approach demonstrated with empirical case of a hydraulic valve manufacturing organization in India.     

Barriers to adopting management expert systems: case studies of management accounting applications which failed

Abstract : The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to some important barriers to the practical application of expert systems to management problems. By drawing attention to these barriers, we show two findings: (a) that certain types of knowledge found in management situations are more likely to lead to the successful adoption of management expert systems (MESs) than others; (b) that a potential exists for an alternative form of MES application. The first finding has implications for knowledge elicitation. We propose that MESs developed from academic knowledge, which we define in specific terms, are more likely to succeed than those developed from working with managers in the field. Alternatively, feasibility studies should include an analysis of the type of knowledge which a manager is capable of providing to ensure that suitable knowledge is available for knowledge elicitation purposes. The second finding has implications for the developers of MESs at both research and commercial levels. We suggest the need for a check-list MES application, capable of converting responses to strategic and operational questions into managerial actions.     

Optimal βk-stable interval in VPRS-based group decision-making: A further application

This study extends the extant research on use of variable precision rough set (VPRS) for group decision-making (GDM), where the optimal β_k-stable interval is derived for the best group consensus. Firstly, we introduce the basic concepts a VPRS model encompasses, and the approach of VPRS-based GDM. Next, using a mathematical programming approach, we derive the optimal β_k-stable interval for DM_k. Then, an application in petroleum project investment risk management, including risk-based project selection and risk ranking, is investigated. The results suggest that β_k-stable intervals have significant impacts on risk management.     

Agent-based bilateral multi-issue negotiation scheme for e-market transactions

Software agents are flexible, autonomous, and dynamic computational entities. For electronic market (e-market) applications, the wide variety of choices to the consumers has introduced the problem of information searching. Meanwhile, there are also so many issues for the participants that require negotiations to find the best deal. In this paper, we present a bilateral multi-issue negotiation scheme, which deploys risk seeking/averse strategies and cost-oriented/benefit-oriented tactics to explore the negotiation space of possible trade-off for the one that is most likely to be acceptable. In particular, it focuses on the incorporation of the level of vagueness of preferences for those issues (either crisp or fuzzy) and multi-objective decision-making techniques. The goal of this research is to design an effective model and some constraints-based fuzzy rules and relax of these constraints to their prevailing transaction circumstances.     

Risk assessment and management for supply chain networks: A case study

The aim of this study is to show how a timed Petri nets framework can be used to model and analyze a supply chain (SC) network which is subject to various risks. The method is illustrated by an industrial case study. We first investigate the disruption factors of the SC network by a failure mode, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) technique. We then integrate the risk management procedures into design, planning, and performance evaluation process of supply chain networks through Petri net (PN) based simulation. The developed PN model provides an efficient environment for defining uncertainties in the system and evaluating the added value of the risk mitigation actions. The findings of the case study shows that the system performance can be improved using risk management actions and the overall system costs can be reduced by mitigation scenarios.     

基于第三方OPC服务器的IFIX与PLC通信研究

以iFix与Modicon Quantum系列PLC通过KEPServerEx通信为例,介绍了基于第三方OPC服务器的iFix与PLC的通信方法.     

A soft knowledge modeling approach for geographically dispersed financial organizations

Fund management is a major function for most financial sector enterprises with geographically dispersed activities. The risk associated to such managerial decisions affects directly the continuity, profitability and reputation of the enterprise. This paper presents a knowledge modeling methodology tool to act as a decision support mechanism for geographically dispersed financial enterprises. The underlying research addresses the problem of financial information capture and representation by utilizing the soft computing characteristics of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs). By using FCMs, the proposed mechanism generates a hierarchical and dynamic network of interconnected financial knowledge concepts, simulates the operational efficiency of distributed organizational models with imprecise relationships and quantifies the impact of geographically dispersed activities to the overall business performance. Generic adaptive maps offer an alternative approach to financial management based on strategic level knowledge modeling and integrate hierarchical FCMs into the decision making model of typical financial sector enterprises. Finally, this paper discusses experiments with the proposed mechanism and comments on its usability.     

Analysis of power saving with continuous connectivity

Always-on mobile users need high bandwidth channels with negligible access delay and limited power consumption. Such a continuous connectivity mode requires the management of high-speed channels, which can turn into substantial operational costs (i.e., power consumption rate) even in presence of low traffic, unless a power saving mechanism is enforced. In this paper, we analyze the impact of 3GPP-defined power saving mechanisms on the performance of users with continuous connectivity. We develop a model for packet transmission and operational costs. We model each downlink mobile user’s traffic by means of an M/G/1 queue, and the base station’s downlink traffic as an M/G/1 PS queue with multiple classes and inhomogeneous vacations. The model is validated through packet-level simulations. Our results show that consistent power saving can be achieved in the wireless access network, as high as 75% for mobiles and 55% for base stations.     

Hybrid GA for material routing optimization in supply chain

In designing a supply chain (SC) system, the problem arises when a company has unsatisfactory inventory control policy and material routing between supplier–producer and distributor in SC considering specified cost and demand. The integration of decisions of different functions into a single optimization model is the base of this research. The aim of this paper is to study and compare the existing models of supply, production and distribution in SC and propose a model which integrates mentioned criteria in supply chain management (SCM). Furthermore, it proposes a new method for calculation of fitness function in genetic algorithm (GA) process. The successful designing of this model has led us to explore the use of heuristic methods such as GA to quantify the flow of SC, information and material flow. At first, fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) is adapted to evaluate objective function weights in SC. Then final weights of objective function are determined by the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). This research also simulated the real company SC operations, and determines the most effective strategic and operational policies for an effective SC system. The result obtained from the model shows that it is robust. This model can also be applied to other industrial environments with slight modifications.     

RFID技术在物流自动化管理系统中的应用

本文综合应用RFID技术、网络通信、COM接口、OPC通信、MD5加密算法和VS.NETC#编程等技术设计实现了一个仓储物流自动化管理系统。该系统通过RFID读写器实现了对电子标签的读写;采用OPC技术与组态软件WinCC进行通信,通过对PLC的控制实现了对物流系统的控制;对数据库SQLServer访问,完成了物品信息、仓库信息、客户信息、操作记录、登录信息的自动存储、查询删除等功能。本文为电子标签技术、物流控制及物流管理的结合提供了应用基础。     

面向PLC的OPC数据服务器开发设计

本文采用SIACON-Smart OPC开发工具包，针对OMRON CS1 PLC开发出串口通信程序动态连接库(Dynamic Link Library)，利用Smart OPC提供的应用编程接口(API)函数调用串口通信函数，实现了OMRON CS1 PLC串口通信的OPC数据服务器开发设计。