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Faced with the increasing needs of companies, optimal dimensioning of IT hardware is becoming challenging for decision makers. In terms of analytical infrastructures, a highly evolutionary environment causes volatile, time dependent workloads in its components, and intelligent, flexible task distribution between local systems and cloud services is attractive. With the aim of developing a flexible and efficient design for analytical infrastructures, this paper proposes a flexible architecture model, which allocates tasks following a machine-specific decision heuristic. A simulation benchmarks this system with existing strategies and identifies the new decision maxim as superior in a first scenario-based simulation.
In nowadays production, fluctuations in demand, shortening product life-cycles, and highly configurable products require an adaptive and robust control approach to maintain competitiveness. This approach must not only optimise desired production objectives but also cope with unforeseen machine failures, rush orders, and changes in short-term demand. Previous control approaches were often implemented using a single operations layer and a standalone deep learning approach, which may not adequately address the complex organisational demands of modern manufacturing systems. To address this challenge, we propose a hyper-heuristics control model within a semi-heterarchical production system, in which multiple manufacturing and distribution agents are spread across pre-defined modules. The agents employ a deep reinforcement learning algorithm to learn a policy for selecting low-level heuristics in a situation-specific manner, thereby leveraging system performance and adaptability. We tested our approach in simulation and transferred it to a hybrid production environment. By that, we were able to demonstrate its multi-objective optimisation capabilities compared to conventional approaches in terms of mean throughput time, tardiness, and processing of prioritised orders in a multi-layered production system. The modular design is promising in reducing the overall system complexity and facilitates a quick and seamless integration into other scenarios.
In nowadays production, fluctuations in demand, shortening product life-cycles, and highly configurable products require an adaptive and robust control approach to maintain competitiveness. This approach must not only optimise desired production objectives but also cope with unforeseen machine failures, rush orders, and changes in short-term demand. Previous control approaches were often implemented using a single operations layer and a standalone deep learning approach, which may not adequately address the complex organisational demands of modern manufacturing systems. To address this challenge, we propose a hyper-heuristics control model within a semi-heterarchical production system, in which multiple manufacturing and distribution agents are spread across pre-defined modules. The agents employ a deep reinforcement learning algorithm to learn a policy for selecting low-level heuristics in a situation-specific manner, thereby leveraging system performance and adaptability. We tested our approach in simulation and transferred it to a hybrid production environment. By that, we were able to demonstrate its multi-objective optimisation capabilities compared to conventional approaches in terms of mean throughput time, tardiness, and processing of prioritised orders in a multi-layered production system. The modular design is promising in reducing the overall system complexity and facilitates a quick and seamless integration into other scenarios.
The digital transformation sets new requirements to all classes of enterprise systems in companies. ERP systems in particular, which represent the dominant class of enterprise systems, are struggling to meet the new requirements at all levels of the architecture. Therefore, there is an urgent need to reconsider the overall architecture of the systems and address the root of the related issues. Given that many restrictions ERP pose on their adaptability are related to the standardization of data, the database layer of ERP systems is addressed. Since database serve as the foundation for data storage and retrieval, they limit the flexibility of enterprise systems and the chance to adapt to new requirements accordingly. So far, relational databases are widely used. Using a systematic literature approach, recent requirements for ERP systems were identified. Prominent database approaches were assessed against the 23 requirements identified. The results reveal the strengths and weaknesses of recent database approaches. To this end, the results highlight the demand to combine multiple database approaches to fulfill recent business requirements. From a conceptual point of view, this paper supports the idea of federated databases which are interoperable to fulfill future requirements and support business operation. This research forms the basis for renewal of the current generation of ERP systems and proposes to ERP vendors to use different database concepts in the future.
Für die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit von Unternehmen hat der Kontinuierliche Verbesserungsprozess (KVP) eine hohe Bedeutung. Hinsichtlich der Qualität und Quantität der Beiträge für den KVP durch die Mitarbeitenden stoßen Unternehmen, insbesondere KMU, jedoch auf vielfältige Herausforderungen. Diesen Problemen können Unternehmen durch das KVP-Tool begegnen, welches im Projekt „Adaptive Spielifizierung im KVP“ entwickelt wird. Durch die Digitalisierung und Spielifizierung des Prozes- ses im KVP-Tool wird die kontinuierliche Beteiligung nachhaltig durch intrinsische Anreize gefördert. Die Neuartigkeit des Projektes ergibt sich aus der Adaptivität der Spielifizierung, also die Wechselwirkung zu den Nutzenden. Dabei werden zwei Aspekte fokussiert: unterschiedliche Spielertypen und Marktdynamik.
Die Auswahl von Standardsoftware stellt viele Unternehmen vor Herausforderungen. Gerade im deutschen Mittelstand kommen vermehrt eigenentwickelte Individuallösungen zum Einsatz. Ent- sprechende Unternehmen sind daher nicht mit komplexen Soft- wareauswahlprojekten vertraut. Das breite Angebot an ERP-Systemen erschwert die Vergleichbarkeit der Lösungen und die zielgerichtete Auswahl des idealen Systems zusätzlich.
The design of qualitative, excellent teaching requires collaboration between teachers and learners. For this purpose, face-to-face teaching benefits from a long-standing tradition, while digital teaching is comparatively still at the beginning of its dissemination. A major developmental step toward the digitization of teaching was achieved in the context of university teaching during the Covid 19 pandemic in spring 2020, when face-to-face teaching was interrupted for months. During this time, important insights into the opportunities and limitations of digital teaching were gained. This paper presents selected results of a study conducted at four German universities and with 875 responses in spring 2020. The study uncovers opportunities and limitations of digital teaching from the students’ perspective and against the background of their experience in the completely digital semester. The results are used as a basis for deriving design guidelines for digital teaching and learning offerings. Based on a model for analyzing the design of teaching and learning formats, these indications are structured according to the elements learners, teachers, teaching content, environment and teaching style.
Coring on Digital Platforms
(2017)
Today’s mobile devices are part of powerful business ecosystems, which usually involve digital platforms. To better understand the complex phenomenon of coring and related dynamics, this paper presents a case study comparing iMessage as part of Apple’s iOS and WhatsApp. Specifically, it investigates activities regarding platform coring, as the integration of several functionalities provided by third-party applications in the platform core. The paper makes three contributions. First, a systematization of coring activities is developed. Coring modes are differentiated by the amount of coring and application maintenance. Second, the case study revealed that the phenomenon of platform coring is present on digital platforms for mobile devices. Third, the fundamentals of coring are discussed as a first step towards theoretical development. Even though coring constitutes a potential threat for third-party developers regarding their functional differentiation, an idea of what a beneficial partnership incorporating coring activities could look like is developed here.
Today’s mobile devices are part of powerful business ecosystems, which usually involve digital platforms. To better understand the complex phenomenon of coring and related dynamics, this paper presents a case study comparing iMessage as part of Apple’s iOS and WhatsApp. Specifically, it investigates activities regarding platform coring, as the integration of several functionalities provided by third-party applications in the platform core. The paper makes three contributions. First, a systematization of coring activities is developed. Coring modes are differentiated by the amount of coring and application maintenance. Second, the case study revealed that the phenomenon of platform coring is present on digital platforms for mobile devices. Third, the fundamentals of coring are discussed as a first step towards theoretical development. Even though coring constitutes a potential threat for third-party developers regarding their functional differentiation, an idea of what a beneficial partnership incorporating coring activities could look like is developed here.
In times of digitalization, the collection and modeling of business processes is still a challenge for companies. The demand for trustworthy process models that reflect the actual execution steps therefore increases. The respective kinds of processes significantly determine both, business process analysis and the conception of future target processes and they are the starting point for any kind of change initiatives. Existing approaches to model as-is processes, like process mining, are exclusively focused on reconstruction. Therefore, transactional protocols and limited data from a single application system are used. Heterogeneous application landscapes and business processes that are executed across multiple application systems, on the contrary, are one of the main challenges in process mining research. Using RFID technology is hence one approach to close the existing gap between different application systems. This paper focuses on methods for data collection from real world objects via RFID technology and possible combinations with application data (process mining) in order to realize a cross system mining approach.
Die Digitalisierung des deutschen Mittelstandes schreitet weiterhin schleppend voran. So verfügt zwar ein wachsender Teil dieser Unternehmen über vereinzelte Informations- und Kommunikationssysteme, die zielführende Vernetzung und Integration dieser Systeme stellt jedoch weiterhin eine große Aufgabe dar [1]. Besonders vor dem Hintergrund wachsender Bedürfnisse für Informationen und Transparenz sehen sich Unternehmen zunehmend mit der analyseorientierten Nutzbarmachung der Unternehmensdaten konfrontiert [2].
This study aims to compare online vs. offline flirting and dating behavior using the example of the location-based real-time dating (LBRTD) app Tinder, a popular dating platform. We focus on persons' self-descriptions like self-esteem, social desirability, state social anxiety, and adjustment behavior on Tinder and the perceived data privacy of the app. Data was gathered using a survey approach with Tinder users reporting their behavior in offline and online settings. The comparison between offline and online behavior was made using Response Surface Analysis. The results suggest that the different conditions of the natural and digital worlds do not influence the individual's behavior and emotional perception. The results are analyzed and discuss gender, age, motivation to use the app, and the user's relationship status.
The digitalization of value networks holds out the prospect of many advantages for the participating compa- nies. Utilizing information platforms, cross-company data exchange enables increased efficiency of collab- oration and offers space for new business models and services. In addition to the technological challenges, the fear of know-how leakage appears to be a significant roadblock that hinders the beneficial realization of new business models in digital ecosystems. This paper provides the necessary building blocks of digital participation and, in particular, classifies the issue of trust creation within it as a significant success factor. Based on these findings, it presents a solution concept that, by linking the identified building blocks, offers the individual actors of the digital value network the opportunity to retain sovereignty over their data and know-how and to use the potential of extensive networking. In particular, the presented concept takes into account the relevant dilemma, that every actor (e. g. the machine users) has to be able to control his commu- nicated data at any time and have sufficient possibilities for intervention that, on the one hand, satisfy the need for protection of his knowledge and, on the other hand, do not excessively diminish the benefits of the system or the business. Taking up this perspective, this paper introduces dedicated data sovereignty and shows a possible implementation concept.
Increasingly fast development cycles and individualized products pose major challenges for today's smart production systems in times of industry 4.0. The systems must be flexible and continuously adapt to changing conditions while still guaranteeing high throughputs and robustness against external disruptions. Deep reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms, which already reached impressive success with Google DeepMind's AlphaGo, are increasingly transferred to production systems to meet related requirements. Unlike supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques, deep RL algorithms learn based on recently collected sensorand process-data in direct interaction with the environment and are able to perform decisions in real-time. As such, deep RL algorithms seem promising given their potential to provide decision support in complex environments, as production systems, and simultaneously adapt to changing circumstances. While different use-cases for deep RL emerged, a structured overview and integration of findings on their application are missing. To address this gap, this contribution provides a systematic literature review of existing deep RL applications in the field of production planning and control as well as production logistics. From a performance perspective, it became evident that deep RL can beat heuristics significantly in their overall performance and provides superior solutions to various industrial use-cases. Nevertheless, safety and reliability concerns must be overcome before the widespread use of deep RL is possible which presumes more intensive testing of deep RL in real world applications besides the already ongoing intensive simulations.
Increasingly fast development cycles and individualized products pose major challenges for today's smart production systems in times of industry 4.0. The systems must be flexible and continuously adapt to changing conditions while still guaranteeing high throughputs and robustness against external disruptions. Deep rein- forcement learning (RL) algorithms, which already reached impressive success with Google DeepMind's AlphaGo, are increasingly transferred to production systems to meet related requirements. Unlike supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques, deep RL algorithms learn based on recently collected sensor- and process-data in direct interaction with the environment and are able to perform decisions in real-time. As such, deep RL algorithms seem promising given their potential to provide decision support in complex environments, as production systems, and simultaneously adapt to changing circumstances. While different use-cases for deep RL emerged, a structured overview and integration of findings on their application are missing. To address this gap, this contribution provides a systematic literature review of existing deep RL applications in the field of production planning and control as well as production logistics. From a performance perspective, it became evident that deep RL can beat heuristics significantly in their overall performance and provides superior solutions to various industrial use-cases. Nevertheless, safety and reliability concerns must be overcome before the widespread use of deep RL is possible which presumes more intensive testing of deep RL in real world applications besides the already ongoing intensive simulations.
Shortening product development cycles and fully customizable products pose major challenges for production systems. These not only have to cope with an increased product diversity but also enable high throughputs and provide a high adaptability and robustness to process variations and unforeseen incidents. To overcome these challenges, deep Reinforcement Learning (RL) has been increasingly applied for the optimization of production systems. Unlike other machine learning methods, deep RL operates on recently collected sensor-data in direct interaction with its environment and enables real-time responses to system changes. Although deep RL is already being deployed in production systems, a systematic review of the results has not yet been established. The main contribution of this paper is to provide researchers and practitioners an overview of applications and to motivate further implementations and research of deep RL supported production systems. Findings reveal that deep RL is applied in a variety of production domains, contributing to data-driven and flexible processes. In most applications, conventional methods were outperformed and implementation efforts or dependence on human experience were reduced. Nevertheless, future research must focus more on transferring the findings to real-world systems to analyze safety aspects and demonstrate reliability under prevailing conditions.
Modern production infrastructures of globally operating companies usually consist of multiple distributed production sites. While the organization of individual sites consisting of Industry 4.0 components itself is demanding, new questions regarding the organization and allocation of resources emerge considering the total production network. In an attempt to face the challenge of efficient distribution and processing both within and across sites, we aim to provide a hybrid simulation approach as a first step towards optimization. Using hybrid simulation allows us to include real and simulated concepts and thereby benchmark different approaches with reasonable effort. A simulation concept is conceptualized and demonstrated qualitatively using a global multi-site example.
Traditional production systems are enhanced by cyber-physical systems (CPS) and Internet of Things. A kind of next generation systems, those cyber-physical production systems (CPPS) are able to raise the level of autonomy of its production components. To find the optimal degree of autonomy in a given context, a research approach is formulated using a simulation concept. Based on requirements and assumptions, a cyber-physical market is modeled and qualitative hypotheses are formulated, which will be verified with the help of the CPPS of a hybrid simulation environment.
Produkte werden zunehmend internetfähig. Gerade im Kontext der Industrie 4.0 statten beispielsweise Maschinen- und Anlagenbauer sowie Komponentenhersteller ihre Produkte mit Option zur Netzwerk- und Internetanbindung aus. Neben der technischen Realisierung beschäftigt Unternehmen die Frage, wie diese neue Geschäftsmodelle realisieren können. Gerade bei Produkten, die bei Kunden im Einsatz sind, kommt der Nutzung von IoT-Plattformen eine wichtige Bedeutung zu.
Digitale Plattformen
(2020)
Obwohl digitale Plattformen vornehmlich von Großunternehmen betrieben werden, bieten sie klein- und mittelständischen Unternehmen (KMU) Potenziale zur Verbreitung innovativer Technologien und für den Ausbau ihres Geschäftsmodells. Für die Umsetzung digitaler Plattformen stehen Unternehmen mehrere Strategien zur Verfügung. Der Beitrag vergleicht und bewertet grundlegende Strategien am Beispiel eines Maschinenbauunternehmens. Die Ergebnisse dienen als Grundlage für die Entscheidungsfindung von KMU.