Modelling and analysis of a business model to offer energy-saving technologies as a service

In this study, we present a stochastic model to analyse a business plan that is based on offering energy-saving technologies as a service. In this arrangement, the total differential cost of replacing an existing technology with a more efficient one is financed from the future energy savings that are shared between a service provider that installs the more efficient technology and its customer. The model we present captures improvements in energy efficiencies and costs of technologies with time, variation in energy consumption, uncertainty in energy prices and useful life of a technology, and revenue from carbon offsets. By using an analytical model, we analyse the feasibility of this business model using expected cost and also value-at-risk criteria. We show that when the service provider selects the contract parameters in a right way, the business plan brings financial benefits. The customer also benefits financially from reduction in energy usage and replacement costs, and also from additional revenue obtained through selling carbon offsets. Furthermore, since this business plan is based on increasing energy efficiency, the proposed approach decreases energy consumption, and therefore carbon dioxide emissions. As a result, using an analytical model, we show that offering energy-saving technologies as a service is a win–win–win situation for the service provider, its customer and for the environment.     

Exploiting timely demand information in determining production lot-sizing: an exploratory study

The emerging automatic data-capturing technology, radio frequency identification technology (RFID), has been extensively adopted in logistics process and retail operations. However, limited research has been conducted on how to exploit and integrate RFID-enabled timely demand information into production processes. The lack of sufficient evaluation on the financial benefits of RFID hinders the adoption of this technology in production processes. In this study, we propose a framework to integrate RFID-enabled timely demand information into a dynamic production lot-sizing problem. Our results show that manufacturers, distributors and retailers can benefit from the availability of timely demand information via RFID. Our research sheds new light on understanding the financial value of RFID in a production process, and fills a gap in the application of RFID along the supply chain.     

基于过程链网络分析的代年检服务设计

目的 对现有代年检服务中常见的问题进行分析,并对其相关服务流程与服务内容进行优化。方法 引入过程链网络分析法(PCN)对现有代年检服务进行分解,梳理目标用户的核心痛点和价值主张,结合服务流程再造法(BPR),提出代年检服务设计策略。结果 流程烦琐、流程进度透明度低、代年检服务平台确定性弱、服务易中止等是现有代年检业务的主要问题,对代年检服务链路进行再造,提出减少用户独立处理步骤、增强用户的服务过程感知、强化平台服务确定性、减少服务中断等设计策略,以增加用户黏性。结论 在服务创新设计中,引入过程链网络分析法和服务流程再造法,通过对当前服务流程进行模块化的分解与重构,有助于聚焦业务痛点,洞察用户需求,制定有效的优化设计策略。     

从需求出发的信息可视化设计方法研究

目的在数据来源繁杂、数据量巨大的的情况下,从信息设计的角度探索提高信息可视化设计质量的方法。方法分析笔者在执行几个信息可视化设计项目过程中应用到的用户研究以及交互设计相关理论,以及具体应用这些理论的方法。对基于用户需求的可视化设计流程和执行方法进行总结。结果提出关注信息传达本身、根据应用场景来设计心理模型与信息架构、对数据进行观点挖掘这几个方面来优化设计策略。结论信息可视化应逐渐从关注技术转变到关注使用者的需求本身,这个需求才是数据成为有价值的信息的关键。     

Analytical foundations for development of real-time supply chain capabilities

The emergence of real-time supply chain visibility technologies has raised challenges for organisations in developing the required management capabilities required to exploit enhanced visibility. The convergence of cloud computing, mobile technology, distributed computing, and data integration technologies has enabled managers for the first time to have real-time visibility of material flows in end to end supply chains, enhancing their ability to identify bottlenecks and disruptions of material flows anywhere in their network. To effectively harness these technologies, a new set of managerial decision-making capabilities as well as enhanced data governance disciplines will be required. In this research, we employ organisational information processing theory to explore the relationship of analytical capabilities, data quality, reporting quality, and real-time data capabilities on supply chain performance. Our research model suggests that the benefits of real-time information technologies are dependent on quality reporting and managerial analytical strengths to derive supply chain benefits. The implications for managerial applications and research are further described based on these findings.     

美国汽车业的供应链策略分析——互联网的影响

互联网的建立 ,实现了大量的信息流动 ,因而使供应链的本质起了极大的变化。汽车制造商为取得竞争优势 ,需要对其战略重新定位。为了得到更大的市场 ,公司必须做到以下两点 :一是缩短产品生产周期 ;二是缩短产品开发周期。为了降低成本 ,公司必须降低整条价值链中每一个环节的成本。商家通过互联网向顾客销售汽车及零部件 ,使得商家在配送和零售的模式上发生了很大的变化。这一变化不仅向公司提供了更好的市场透明度 ,更向消费者提供了直接挑选货品的机会。商家为顾客开启的大门还削减了传统销售中用于配送和零售的中介费用。本文的目的在于研究互联网中企业对企业的影响 ,以及今后应该如何置身于这一业务。供应商和汽车制造商应如何在互联网时代进行商业行为呢 ?本文的目的在于分析传统的 ,即以竞争和合作为特征的供应链关系的变化。我们将着眼于供应关系的改变、成本模式和样式转变等。本文结构如下 :第一节是对目前问题及其重要性的介绍 ;第二节主要讨论问题的一般表示形式 ,以及为取得战略竞争优势 ,解决问题的方法。第三节详细分析了汽车业的各个方面及其供应链。最后提出了企业的战略和结论。     

Partnership ecosystem of IC design service companies: The case of Taiwan

The continuously evolving IC industry has driven IC design service companies to become the niche players in the semiconductor value chain. These emerging companies, mostly SMEs, manage the entire chip development manufacturing process and apply third party's resources when and where its customers need them. To keep the customer as their main focus and deliver what the customer truly needs, a strong and committed partnership ecosystem is more important than ever.The objective of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the partnership ecosystem of Taiwan's IC design service companies. A co-evolutionary theory in the business ecosystem is used as a theoretical background to explain the relationship in the investigated partnership networks. The partnership networks of the IC design service companies were analyzed together with the corporate data such as revenues and milestones. The findings show that the firms have accumulated and created their competitive advantage by forming strategic alliances with various leading foundries, IP vendors, and EDA tool providers to leverage their technological capabilities. While the production ecosystem was localized in Taiwan based on the benefit of the complete value chain, the IP ecosystem was more internationalized.The existing networks provide a new insight into opportunities for new entrants even in the highly competitive environment like the semiconductor industry. This study contributes to the understanding of the characteristics of the niche players. It will be useful as policy implications for the industry stakeholders and governments to setup direction for further support and investment in the IC design service business.     

Implementation of an inquisitive chatbot for database supported knowledge bases

Chatbot is a piece of software that responds to natural language input and attempts to hold a conversation in a way that imitates a real person. Some chatbots are used for entertainment purposes, while others for business and commercial purposes. Chatbots are getting a lot of attention from business community right now as they can save costs in customer service centers and can handle multiple clients at a time. Successful implementation of a chatbot calls for correct analysis of user’s query by the bot and the formation of the correct response that should be given to the user. In many scenarios the information available from the user’s query is inadequate to provide the answer. In such contexts, the chatbot needs to be inquisitive so that it will be more interactive and can mimic a more natural human interaction. This paper reports the implementation of an inquisitive chatbot, which finds the missing data in query and probes the questions to users to collect data that are required to answer the query. Through this implementation, the level of interactivity between the user and the chatbot is improved.     

基于深度学习的情感化设计

目的使用深度学习实现情感化设计,满足用户个性化的情感需求,加速传统设计过程,提升用户体验。方法研究深度学习中可用于情感化设计的算法,使用卷积神经网络(CNN)实现名画复制品的个性化自动生成;抓取互联网数据,使用LSTM模型挖掘用户真实需求,进行当前流行游戏的周边产品设计;以张裕葡萄酒庄旅游纪念品设计为例,使用深度学习基于用户个人信息和行为数据推荐个性化的葡萄酒包装。结论基于CNN的名画复制品的个性化生成丰富了图像的可修改空间,满足了用户个性化的情感诉求;基于LSTM的用户需求分析高效和准确地反映了用户的真实需求,加速了传统用户调研过程;基于深度学习的旅游纪念品个性化设计进一步提升了用户体验。将深度学习应用于情感化设计有利于挖掘用户内心的真实需求,节省人力物力,满足用户情感诉求和提升用户体验,进一步为设计学与计算机科学的交叉提供了有效方法。     

Web-based simulations for computer-assisted learning in the highereducation sector

There are numerous initiatives for maximising benefits to teaching and learning in higher education using information technologies, especially those utilising the World Wide Web to provide a user-friendly, multimedia interface. The expanding population of students and increased demand for flexible education underline the need to take advantage of these technologies without incurring large overheads in terms of development and infrastructure. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the development of Web-based, interactive simulations, to evaluate the benefits based on user trials and to illustrate the potential for a widely accessible educational environment     

模具电极加工生产线设备信息管理系统的设计与开发

针对模具电极加工生产线设备在加工过程中无法进行信息共享以及人工管理效率过低的问题,基于模具电极加工生产线的业务流程,对信息管理系统的功能性需求进行了分析。使用B/S架构模式对系统进行总体架构设计,提出并设计了用户登录模块、信息查询模块、信息编辑模块和设备监控模块4个系统功能模块。选择SQL Server作为系统数据库对其进行了逻辑设计;选取Java作为系统后端开发语言,对系统各功能模块进行开发,并利用HTML、CSS和JavaScript前端技术开发系统前端界面。最后,对设备信息管理系统进行运行测试,完成企业对设备信息管理的需求。该系统的使用,极大地提高了企业模具电极加工生产效率以及设备和原材料的利用率。     

Packaging throughout the value chain in the customer perspective marketing mix

Lauterborn has suggested that McCarthy's 4 P marketing mix classification be viewed by suppliers as the customers' four Cs, i.e. customer value, cost to satisfy, convenience and communication (the 4C perspective). 1 This paper seeks to illustrate the impacts of the four Cs on packaging value in the area of fast‐moving consumer goods throughout the whole value chain from the packaging producer to the end‐user, the consumer. Findings from two separate studies regarding trade‐offs in package values between different actors in the value chain, created through development of value‐adding package solutions, are presented and elaborated on. The positive effects of brand advertising can be acknowledged, but they cannot compensate for less efficient packaging. The market need will easily be affected and turned into a higher demand chain pull when creating packaging solutions that will attract retail business. Dynamics in values and trade‐offs were identified, even though requirements from the whole value chain were considered. The packaging solutions created gave the majority of stakeholders in the value chain great advantages, but the lack of dynamism in available infrastructure demanded adaptation that diminished value addition for all actors in the value chain. The contribution of this article is to theorize the 4C concept in the process of package design, taking value chain actor needs and value optimisation into consideration. Furthermore, a suggestion of an evaluation model from the 4C perspective on all value chain actors is presented and elaborated on. Copyright­© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Web Application Commercial Design for Financial Entities Based on Business Intelligence

Multiple customer data management has become a focus of attention in big organizations. Although much information is available, it does not translate into significant profitable value-added services. We present a design of a commercial web application based on business intelligence that generates information on social and financial behavior of clients in an organization; with the purpose of obtain additional information that allows to get more profits. This app will provide a broader perspective for making strategic decisions to increase profits and reduce internal investment costs. A case in point is the financial sector, a group of financial entities were used to make measurements and test them. A design to build a web application aimed at achieving a large and ambitious goal by means of defined tools reflecting clients’ business needs is proposed. In this research, different techniques and technologies are explored, such as diagrams, frameworks, design, architecture, model entity-relationship, tables, equations, mental maps and development tools. Through the Personal Software Process methodology and with the help of information extraction, consolidation, and visualization, the implementation can be carried out. This article provides the importance of implementing business intelligence in an organization and expands on the steps needed for the implementation of this valuable technology.     

基于地域文化的高速公路服务区品牌化构建研究

目的针对高速公路服务区转型发展的迫切需求,以地域文化为突破口对其品牌建设路径进行分析与探讨。方法通过分析高速公路服务区品牌现状及问题,以及地域文化对于服务区品牌塑造的价值意义,归纳出将地域文化与服务区品牌进行创新结合的方法。结果针对高速公路服务区品牌定位、品牌形象与品牌体验等提出了基于地域文化的高速公路服务区品牌化构建路径。结论针对现阶段高速公路服务区品牌定位不明、同质化严重、资源利用不足等症结,高速公路服务区应当依托在地文化基因整合地区资源,以文化沟通产业进行价值重构与品牌定位,以用户感知需求构建功能化视觉体系,以文化体验提升服务业态,使服务区成为具有识别性与持续动力的交通商业体。     

制造企业转型电子商务的价值链研究

本文的研究将依据两条线索展开,一条是迈克尔．波特的企业价值链一电子商务下的企业价值链一虚拟价值链,即企业价值链线索;另一条是迈克尔,波特的行业价值链一电子商务下的行业价值链一价值网,即行业价值链线索。通过以上两条线索分析制造企业价值链的演化过程,指出在电子商务时代,制造企业应该注意到物理价值链和虚拟价值链的理论正在发展,分工的高度专业化和对合作的强调,又导致企业之间虚拟价值链寻求整合,演变为价值网,而价值网随着合作的动态变化而改变,企业必须高度关注这些变化并运用新的价值链理论指导企业实践,才能赢得竞争优势。     

基于湖南省博物馆APP的梅山傩面具展品功能入口交互设计需求分析

目的在湖南省博物馆APP基础上增加梅山傩面具数字展示内容,分析探讨梅山傩面具展品功能入口的交互设计需求以及方案选择。方法通过介绍业务需求、用户需求来分解关键因素从而形成交互设计的方案。在梅山傩面具展品功能入口的交互设计实际过程中,阐述根据业务需求和用户需求具体分解关键因素的思路与方法,包括如何与产品经理、市场运营、开发工程师等协商完成展品功能入口的一级页面、二级页面交互设计稿以及交互视觉稿。结论基于湖南省博物馆APP的梅山傩面具展品功能入口的交互设计需求就是将业务目标转换为用户行为,并通过创造动机、排除担忧与解决障碍来形成交互设计方案,它关键着业务目标与用户体验目标的顺利达成,为其他类似博物馆APP新增展品内容,其功能入口的交互设计需求与方案选择提供一定的参考。     

基于产业价值链的我国制造业竞争战略研究

在跨国公司主导的产业价值链体系中,以寻求比较优势为目标的传统竞争战略对我国制造业竞争力产生了严重的削弱作用。研究表明,为获得可持续竞争力,我国制造业竞争战略的重点应聚焦如何建立在产业价值链中的主导和控制地位。     

Ex post demand information sharing between differentiated suppliers and a common retailer

We consider ex post demand information sharing in a two-echelon supply chain in which two suppliers sell differentiated products through a common retailer. We model three scenarios of information sharing to characterise the conditions under which information sharing may benefit or hurt different players: (1) no supplier is informed; (2) only one supplier is informed; and (3) both suppliers are informed. We find that the retailer may voluntarily share the low demand information when the product differentiation and demand magnitude satisfy certain conditions. In contrast, the retailer has no incentive to share the high demand information, even though this information benefits the suppliers. To achieve information sharing, we propose a side payment mechanism, which allows benefitted players to subsidise hurtful players. Finally, we extend our model by considering a situation where the suppliers have limited capacity and may invest to ramp up production capacity to satisfy a high demand.     

Optimal code rates for the Lorentzian channel: Shannon codes and LDPC codes

We take an information-theoretic approach to obtaining optimal code rates for error-control codes on a magnetic storage channel approximated by the Lorentzian channel. Code rate optimality is in the sense of maximizing the information-theoretic user density along a track. To arrive at such results, we compute the achievable information rates for the Lorentzian channel as a function of signal-to-noise ratio and channel density, and then use these information rate calculations to obtain optimal code rates and maximal linear user densities. We call such (hypothetical) optimal codes "Shannon codes." We then examine optimal code rates on a Lorentzian channel assuming low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes instead of Shannon codes. We employ as our tool extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) charts, which provide a simple way of determining the capacity limit (or decoding threshold) for an LDPC code. We demonstrate that the optimal rates for LDPC codes coincide with those of Shannon codes and, more important, that LDPC codes are essentially capacity-achieving codes on the Lorentzian channel. Finally, we use the above results to estimate the optimal bit-aspect ratio, where optimality is in the sense of maximizing areal density.     

Comparison of numerical methods for identification of viscoelastic line spectra from static test data

Viscoelastic line spectra are identified from creep or relaxation data of static experiments with different numerical methods, which may or may not depend on additional informations, to be provided by the user, about the unknown parameters. If the least square method is applied, a non‐linear optimization problem with non‐negative constraints on the parameters has to be solved. Its solution can be achieved directly by using a gradient‐based optimization algorithm like the projected Newton method of Bertsekas. However, appropriate starting values for the unknown parameters must be chosen. The problem can be alleviated by dividing the identification task into three successive steps, based on the Tschebyscheff approximation and the quadratic optimization method by Wolfe. Alternatively, the identification task can be reduced to a quadratic optimization problem, if the user provides additional informations about the distribution of the respondance times of the spectra. The windowing‐method of Emri and Tschoegl is based on this assumption. If the line spectrum is assumed to have equally distributed spectrum lines on the logarithmic axis, the identification problem can also be solved by standard regularization techniques, like the truncated singular value decomposition or the Tikhonov regularization. The choice of qualified respondance times as additional information requires some experience with the identification task at hand. Its results may be improved after several reruns of the algorithms. Various applications of the methods to test and experimental data are given and a comparison of their performance is discussed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.