Custom Solutions Research Articles

Customizable network update planning in SDN

Updating network configurations responding to dynamic changes is a error-prone task in SDN. During the update process, in-flight packets might misuse different versions of rules, and “hot” links could be overloaded due to the unplanned update order. As for the problem of misusing rules, recently proposed suggestions like two-phase mechanism and Customizable Consistency Generator (CCG) have provided generic and customizable solutions. Yet, there does not exist an approach that is flexible to avoid the transient congestion on hot links respecting to diverse user requirements like guaranteeing update deadline, managing transient throughput loss, etc.; controllers are in urgent need of such a solution.In this paper, we propose CUP, Customizable Update Planner, to seek the solution. Different from prior approaches that adopt fixed designs for a single purpose like optimizing the update speed (e.g., Dionysus) or avoiding congestions (e.g., zUpdate, SWAN), CUP introduces generic linear programming models to formulate user-specified requirements and the corresponding update planning problem. By solving these customized models, CUP is able to plan network updates according to a large fraction of user requirements, such as guaranteeing deadlines, prioritizing operation orders, managing throughput loss, etc., while avoiding transient congestion. We prototype CUP on Ryu and employ it to arrange updates for networks built upon Mininet. Results confirm the flexibility of CUP while indicating that it always obtains the “best” update plans following the user's wish.

Developing instrumentation for analysis of CPV TwinFocus® system

Concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) is a technology that offers an alternative to standard silicon modules, being more efficient and eco-friendlier. AtemEnergia is developing a CPV product with good characteristics of efficiency and reliability. To monitor the progresses of our prototypes, test their quality and discover potential defects in the devices and in the production lane, custom experimental setups were necessary, to investigate the peculiar characteristics of this technology, avoiding the huge costs of commercial instrumentation in this field. Here is an overview of the tests necessary to guarantee the correct production quality, along with the custom solutions we adopted for their implementation.

A platform approach in solution business: How platform openness can be used to control solution networks

This paper explores how customer solution providers leverage digital platform architectures and particularly platform openness to exert control over complex organizational networks. A multiple case-study approach studies three companies with digital platforms that orchestrate solution networks in the LED and ICT industries. Our findings show that the features of product modules (core or peripheral), service modules (relationship intensity and customization), and knowledge modules (explicit, tacit and codified) have differential influence on the levels of platform openness. By managing platform openness of different subsystems accordingly, the solution providers can achieve different control benefits, including ensuring module quality, increasing offering variety, reducing dependence on module providers, and facilitating resource sharing. We contribute to the literature on solution business by reconceptualising the platform approach from a two-level perspective. We also deepen the field's understanding of the role of digital platforms in solution business from an architectural perspective.

Refurbishment Methodology to Attain Thermally Comfortable near-Zero Energy Buildings Using Customizable Solutions

Refurbishment Methodology to Attain Thermally Comfortable near-Zero Energy Buildings Using Customizable Solutions

A Study On Change In Mode Of Transport From Road To Rail And It’s Impact On Logistics Provider On Road

The purpose of this paper is to explore these changes in transportation from road to rail and to show the impact on the logistics providers who completely relay on road. The dedicated freight corridor a newly launched railway project which is under construction guarantee the movement efficient, reliable, safe and cheaper then road. The DFC is designed to be the best logistics solution for customers. DFC is the eco friendly operation since it’s a government project we have to support and welcome the solutions offered in order to help in growing are economic health and wealth. This results show the change in mode of transportation how it helps in reducing the transit time, how to reduce the movement of vehicle in operation and save money, how much of cost benefit is there in using the newly proposed corridor.

An optimization model for siting and sizing of vehicle-to-grid facilities in a microgrid

In this paper, we propose a new optimization model for investment planning for Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology in a microgrid. The V2G technology allows the microgrid to take advantage of temporal arbitrage in the electricity market, and hence, improve economic viability of electric vehicles. We present both a mathematical model and a custom solution methodology for this problem. The proposed stochastic model is a very large-scale mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem, and thereby, we develop an algorithm that provides high-quality solutions. A case study for 14-node and 37-node microgrid test systems for a planning horizon of five years is presented, and a thorough sensitivity analysis for effects of uncertainty, investors preferred payback period, market price fluctuations and electric vehicles arrival and departure rates is discussed. The simulation results show that investing in the V2G technology can considerably improve the long-term economics of the microgrid, but the obtained profit and the payback period can vary from one plan to another.

Delta model application for developing customer lifetime value

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between strategy and customer lifetime value (CLV). A new model was proposed for defining customers’ values based on the RFM model and segmenting bank customers using the K-means algorithm. In addition, the authors combined a new category with the delta model in order to analyze the behavior of each cluster.Design/methodology/approachThis case study was based on an applied method following its objectives and a descriptive-analytic method in terms of data collection. In this research, the AHP, data mining and K-means clustering methods, as well as the discriminant analysis were applied for computing the weights of the indices, examining the relationship between the identified variables, clustering the records and ensuring the clustering accuracy based on the RFM model, respectively.FindingsThe paper confirmed the relationship between the strategies and CLV. For a cluster whose strategy was the best product, customers had a minimal CLV. For a cluster whose strategy was based on total customer solutions, customers had a median CLV. For a cluster whose strategy was a lock-in system, customers had a maximal CLV. The results suggested that the delta model with these three strategies could act as the CLV developers in two stages: conversion of transient customers to attached customers and conversion of attached customers to locked-in customers.Research limitations/implicationsOne of the limitations of this study was the lack of access to all the bank accounts and assessment of only the strategy type, while highlighting the exact association between every component of the strategies (e.g. structure, environment, etc.) and CLV as a dependent variable deemed to be of a great necessity. Hence, it is recommended that several studies on the relationships presented in this paper be performed to provide further insights into and guidelines on this issue in the future.Practical implicationsThis study emphasized the relevance of strategy and CLV. Managers should differently treat customers in distinct CLV and loyalty levels. In other words, managers must segment their customers based on CLV and apply appropriate strategies for each segment.Originality/valueThis research tried to fulfill an identified need to study how strategy can be effect CLV through the application of the delta model with three strategic options.

Technology Focus: Artificial Lift (March 2019)

Technology Focus With all the emphasis placed on artificial-lift run-life improvement, you might wonder if there are any tricks left in that bag. I contend there is one really big secret left—and it is hiding in plain sight. That trick is to use international standards as the foundation of your reliability program. A Chinese proverb says, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” There are many steps in the long journey toward maximizing run life, including proper installation, operation, training, surveillance, audits, service-quality reviews, teardowns, and root-cause analysis. But, the first step should be to identify the requirements for your artificial-lift system and to communicate those requirements effectively to the vendor. In many cases, this is the most challenging step, largely because operators and suppliers often speak different languages. Fortunately, international standards are there for us to bridge that language gap. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) defines a standard as “a document that provides requirements, specifications, guidelines, or characteristics that can be used consistently to ensure that materials, products, processes, and services are fit for their purpose.” Today, the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the ISO provide such standards for electrical submersible pumps, progressing-cavity pumps, sucker-rod pumps, gas lift, and plunger lift, and API complements their standards with recommended practices that provide guidance from industry experts in the use of such technologies. A surprisingly small number of operators purchase monogrammed equipment or even reference the standards in their purchasing documents or contracts. This is unfortunate because standards can make everyone’s lives much easier, allowing operators and suppliers to speak the same language by providing consistent nomenclature, definitions, and performance ratings for equipment. Operators have greater peace of mind knowing their equipment is supported by sound engineering practices and will perform as promised. When standards are referenced in requests for proposal, vendors are able to provide responses that are more appropriate for the application, resulting in a greater chance of success in the field. Operators can also make an apples-to-apples comparison when evaluating the proposals they receive. Standards help level the playing field, enabling suppliers to segment the market more effectively. And they enable manufacturers to implement consistent, effective quality-assurance processes while avoiding the time and expense of custom solutions. So, who writes all of these standards, anyway? The short answer is that we all do. API and ISO committees are generally composed of subject-matter experts rep-resenting an equal number of operators and vendors, often from different parts of the world. You can join one of these committees to help improve a particular standard. The key to making standards work for all of us is to use them. The more we use standards in our business, the better they will become over time. Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org. SPE 190920 Visualizing Rod Design and Analysis Through the Wave Equation by Walter Phillips, 3DWellbore.com SPE 190950 Effect of Gas Lift Design in Unconventional Wells—A Delaware Basin Operator’s Perspective by Subash K. Kannan, Anadarko, et al. SPE 192511 ESP Run-Life Improvement Through Auditing of ESP Workshops by Tamer Edries, Khalda Petroleum, et al.

Effects of Total Customer Solutions Strategic Positioning on Organizational Performance in Telecommunication Industry, in Kenya

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of total customer strategic positioning as envisaged in the Delta Model on Organizational performance. The target population consists of 6,149 front office employees of the four major telecommunication firms in Kenya namely Safaricom, Airtel, Orange and Equitel. The study covered five major cities and towns in Kenya namely Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret. Data was collected from 144 respondents drawn from a cross-section of employees specifically those in front office as they are directly involved in the day to day customer service. The response rate of the total questionnaires issued was 83%. A descriptive survey research design was used in this study. Questionnaires were used to collect the data. Analysis of the survey responses was done by means of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Pearson Correlation along with multiple regressions were used in data analysis and the testing of hypotheses. Pearson correlation was used to establish the association between the strategic position and organizational performance. The findings of the study revealed that total customer solution strategic option had a significant coefficient ( =0.295, p value= 0.000). This implies that total customer solutions strategic option had a positive significant effect on organization performance. The findings of the research revealed that a change in the government regulations had a positive and very significant effect on the performance of the telecommunication companies in Kenya. This is revealed by the results which shows that there is a weak, positive correlation which is significant (R = 0.358; p- value <0.05) government regulations and organizational performance of telecommunication firms in Kenya. The study concluded that the total customer solution strategic positioning had not only a positive correlation but also significant effect on the organizational performance of the telecommunication companies in Kenya. The study also concluded that with appropriate government regulations the strategic positions studied will enhance organizational performance in the telecommunication industry in Kenya. The study recommends that managers need to focus on the use total customer strategic position in order to achieve a great organizational performance in their respective organizations. To policy makers the study recommends formulations of good and effective government regulations which in turn will enhance organizational performance. Keywords: Total Customer Solution, Strategic positioning, Organizational performance DOI : 10.7176/EJBM/11-6-13

Optimal Design of the Band Structure for Beam Lattice Metamaterials

Sonic or acoustic metamaterials may offer a mechanically robust and highly customizable solution to open large band gaps in the low-frequency dispersion spectrum of beam lattice materials. Achieving the largest possible stop bandwidth at the lowest possible center frequency may be a challenging multi-objective optimization issue. The paper presents a first effort of analysis, systematization and synthesis of some recent multi-disciplinary studies focused on the optimal spectral design of beam lattice materials and metamaterials. The design parameter vector is a finite set including all the microstructural properties characterizing the periodic material and the local resonators. Numerical algorithms are employed as leading methodology for solving various instances of the optimization problem. Methodological alternatives, based on perturbation methods and computational modeling, are also illustrated. Some optimal results concerning the dispersion spectrum of hexachiral, tetrachiral and anti-tetrachiral materials and metamaterials are summarized. The concluding remarks are accompanied by preliminary ideas to overcome some operational issues in solving the optimization problem.

A Systematic Mapping Study on the Customization Solutions of Software as a Service Applications

Software as a Service (SaaS) is widely used and depended on by a wide range of applications. Considering this, the SaaS should capacitate itself to offer service to a large number of customers having their own specific requirements, without encountering software quality problems. Therefore, several researchers delved into the SaaS customization, and many customization solutions have been proposed. However, heretofore, no analysis or study explicitly classifies these proposals using different criteria, e.g., the kind of change required, the component of the software requiring changes, and the quality attributes of the SaaS considered in each proposed solution. This paper adopts the systematic mapping approach to methodically investigate the solutions recommended for the SaaS customization problems. These solutions are classified into various categories to create a classification scheme based on the customization types (personalization, configuration, composition, modification, integration, and extension), customization layer (user interfaces, workflows, services, and data), and quality attributes. Our study identified 81 primary studies reporting SaaS customization solutions. The results show that the configuration, composition, and extension received the highest consideration in the proposed solutions. In addition, the majority of the proposed solutions for the SaaS customization are connected with the workflow and service layers. Furthermore, the attributes, such as multi-tenancy, security, functionality, scalability, availability, and efficiency, are considered much more often than other attributes. The classification of the proposed solutions for the SaaS customization and results of this paper can play an important role in creating a framework for the SaaS customization assessment.

When Industry 4.0 meets Process Mining

Digitization relies on emerging technologies driven by Internet of Things. This not only affects businesses, but also the entire society: smart homes, smart agriculture, and intelligent transportation. The connection of “things” under the same umbrella applies also in education through massive open online courses (MOOCs). Each industry should adapt to the changes brought by Digital Era. This paper makes an introduction to the challenges that come together with Industry 4.0 and proposes Process Mining techniques as a new approach for business process analysis in order to support companies to rapidly adapt to market changes by offering customized solutions for customers. The study provides a brief overview of Industry 4.0 and gradually introduces Process Mining as a purview of Industry 4.0. A case study approach is used to confirm the advantages brought by Process Mining. Different types of graphical visualization describing both control-flow and resource perspectives are also presented.

AUTOMATION OF ASSEMBLY OPERATION BASED ON DUAL-ARM ROBOT

Urgency of the research. Automation as a whole, together with increasing of demands from customer push companies at all levels to the implementation of new and innovative solutions of robotic devices. This reason we consider as sufficient for realization of special customized solution for deployment at assembly operations. Target setting. Purpose of article is to give an example how to increase a level of automation based on specific requirements that consists from assembly area. Actual scientific researches and issues analysis. Actual research is nowadays focused at such problematics, because return of investments based on robotic devices seems to be reliable and people at workplace can realize and focus to another type of tasks. Uninvestigated parts of general matters defining. Specific automated solution based on dual arm robot implementation into the assembly process brings us a new possibility for assembly flow realization together with required assembly sequence for whole operation. The research objective. The aim of article is to provide an idea how to automate such manual assembly tasks with focus to robotic devices implementation. The statement of basic materials. For realization of automated solutions is good to have a suitable material how to solve assembly sequence and assembly process. Conclusions. Published article presents an innovative idea for dual arm robot implementation into the assembly process. Proposed assembly sequence based on human – robot cooperation at this specific workplace gives an example and view how automation of assembly processes can be solved.

Living Lab services promoting health in the community through participation

In the time of urban growth, people should be at the heart of development, too often they are forgotten. However, growth poses also a great possibility. Cities can transform into open innovation Living Labs, places to experiment and co-create with creative ideas to improve people’s health and wellbeing.
 Open innovation Living Lab is one-step for city towards smart and healthy society. This requires bold political choices, strategic level approach, open-minded governance and new operational models. The City of Kuopio has taken this opportunity into action together with Kuopio University Hospital.
 Living Lab operates as an authentic co-creation environment to enable collaboration between citizens, industry, academia and public sector (Quadruple Helix Open Innovation model). This was implemented through primary health care services bringing together community and citizens´ homes for co-creation of new solutions, which helps people, live longer in their homes and increase the quality of life.
 The elderly and their close relatives have been enthusiastically involved in the services. Participation opportunities and the feeling of social cohesion have increased. Critical success factors are support from strategic level, well-coordinated services, governance, a broad customer base and solutions made from the genuine need.
 Collaboration between all stakeholders has made it possible to provide better products and services that can improve health and wellbeing of the community in all sectors of life. At the same time, it promotes citizens’ participation and supports co-creation of new ideas arising from the community and the growth of healthy city.

Network Design for Municipal Solid Waste Collection: A Case Study of the Nanjing Jiangbei New Area.

Garbage collection is an important part of municipal engineering. An effective service network design can help to reduce the municipal operation cost and improve its service level. In this paper, we propose an optimization model for the network design of municipal solid waste (MSW) collection in the Nanjing Jiangbei new area. The problem was formulated as a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model with an emphasis on minimizing the annual operation cost. The model simultaneously decides on the optimal number of refuse transfer stations (RTSs), determines the relative size and location for each RTS, allocates each community to a specific RTS, and finally identifies the annual operation cost and service level for the optimal scenario as well as other scenarios. A custom solution procedure which hybrids an enumeration rule and a genetic algorithm was designed to solve the proposed model. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted to illustrate the impact of changes in parameters on the optimality of the proposed model. Test results revealed that our model could provide tangible policy recommendations for managing the MSW collection.

ExperienceSampler: An open-source scaffold for building smartphone apps for experience sampling.

Experience sampling methods allow researchers to examine phenomena in daily life and provide various advantages that complement traditional laboratory methods. However, existing experience sampling methods may be costly, require constant Internet connectivity, may not be designed specifically for experience sampling studies, or require a custom solution from a computer programming consultant. In this article, we present ExperienceSampler, an open-source scaffold for creating experience-sampling smartphone apps designed for Android and iOS devices. We designed ExperienceSampler to address the common barriers to using experience sampling methods. First, there is no cost to the user. Second, ExperienceSampler apps make use of local notifications to let participants know when to complete surveys and store the data locally until Internet connection is available. Third, our app scaffold was designed with experience sampling methodological issues in mind. We also demonstrate how researchers can easily customize ExperienceSampler even if they have no programming skills. Furthermore, we evaluate the utility of ExperienceSampler apps with results from one social psychological study conducted using ExperienceSampler (N = 168). Mean response rates averaged 84%, and the median response latency was 9 minutes. Taken together, ExperienceSampler creates cost-effective smartphone apps that can be easily customized by researchers to examine experiences in daily life. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

A Perfect Triangle with: Artificial Intelligence, Supply Chain Management, and Financial Technology

In recent years, artificial intelligence has seen increasing interest and popularity in the financial services and the other areas like supply chain management. Since the late 1970s, artificial intelligence has been developed to improve human decision-making processes and productivity in businesses, due to the ability to understand patterns and businesses phenomena, to search and analyze information and automating tasks repeatedly by humans. According to Tungsten Network, that valuable time and money are wasted on trivial supply chain related-tasks that are conducted operationally by humans. So, a business could automate some tasks to reduce wasting time with the robotic process, and machine learning algorithms are being integrated into analytics and CRM platforms to uncover information on how to better serve customers. In addition to using artificial intelligence in the supply chain, its presence in financial technology can be noted, including advanced machine learning software and expert systems that are capable of learning and performing intelligent analysis, as well as the automation of some business processes in financial. Meanwhile, given the focus on supply chain finance, which includes solutions for suppliers, manufacturers, vendors, and customers that improve financial processes in the supply chain, the industry is moving toward a revolution and a massive transformation in this approach. This paper gives an overview of artificial intelligence and the application areas of this technology and the current use in financial technology and supply chain management. This paper will also explore the benefits using Artificial Intelligence technologies in the Financial Technology and Supply Chain Management businesses.

Verification methods of a programmer’s knowledge and skills

The article describes currently utilized methods of a programmer’s knowledge verification and skills. The research consisted of creating custom solution which was an application implementing chosen methods and carrying out test with the participation of programmers having various levels of experience, knowledge and skills. Effectiveness of assessment, reliability and verification time were evaluated based on an analysis of the results received from the research

Comprehensive Molecular Profiling of FLT3-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Patients Treated within the Ratify Trial (Alliance C10603)

Comprehensive Molecular Profiling of FLT3-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Patients Treated within the Ratify Trial (Alliance C10603)

E.ON Group: Clean Energy Leads Integrated Energy Services

On June 19, 2000, E.ON Group was merged and established by Germany United Power and Mining Co., Ltd. and German Union Industrial Co., Ltd. It was established as the largest power company in Germany and one of the largest energy companies in Europe. In 2016, E.ON successfully transformed itself into the first European energy company to focus on new energy. It is also an international private energy supplier, focusing on renewable energy, energy networks and customer solutions. It is responsible for the development of renewable energy, distributed energy, energy efficiency, and digital technology, and is mainly targeted at residents and commercial companies.