Improving globally distributed software development and support processes - A workflow view

We propose a new approach and related indicators for globally distributed software support and development based on a 3-year process improvement project in a globally distributed engineering company. The company develops, delivers and supports a complex software system with tailored hardware components and unique end-customer installations. By applying the domain knowledge from operations management on lead time reduction and its multiple benefits to process performance, the workflows of globally distributed software development and multitier support processes were measured and monitored throughout the company. The results show that the global end-to-end process visibility and centrally managed reporting at all levels of the organization catalyzed a change process toward significantly better performance. Due to the new performance indicators based on lead times and their variation with fixed control procedures, the case company was able to report faster bug-fixing cycle times, improved response times and generally better customer satisfaction in its global operations. In all, lead times to implement new features and to respond to customer issues and requests were reduced by 50%.

Groupware and Workflow Tools - A Case study of SAP Business Workflow Supporting System Integration in a Global Telecommunication Company

Workflow management systems aim at the controlled execution of complex application processes in distributed and heterogeneous environments. These systems will shape the structure of information systems in business and non-business environments. E business and system integration is a fertile soil for WF and groupware tools. This thesis aims to study WF and groupware tools in order to gather in house knowledge of WF to better utilize WF solutions in future, and to focus on SAP Business Workflow in order to find a global solution for Application Link Enabling support for system integration. Piloting this solution in Nokia collects the experience of SAP R/3 WF tool for other development projects in future. The literary part of this study will guide to the world of business process automation providing a general description of the history, use and potentials of WF & groupware software. The empirical part of this study begins with the background of the case study describing the IT environment initiating the case by introducing SAP R/3 in Nokia, the communication technique in use and WF tool. Case study is focused in one solution with SAP Business Workflow. This study provides a concept to monitor communication between ERP systems and to increase the quality of system integration. Case study describes a way create support model for ALE/EDI interfaces. Support model includes monitoring organization and the workflow processes to solve the most common IDoc related errors.

Student experiences in a course blended learning

Fascination is a project for design students, developed jointly by the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC) and the University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), which works with two groups of students, one group of participants in Spain and another group in Thailand where, hands-on activities, a range of technologies are used to prepare students for the lessons, through learning activities and content. This research paper presents the test of both a general model and a tool for measuring the participants’ experiences in a course that uses a blended learning methodology, with the aim of collecting empirical evidence to justify the effort of applying this methodology, based on the participants’ satisfaction. The procedure used in the conceptualization of the survey, the generation of topics, the collection of data, and the validation of the scale of various items are described here. The information, provided by the 26 people surveyed about the course and the virtual environment that was used, was analyzed to measure their perceptions and explore possible relations. Finally the conclusions of the research and the future work are presented.

Blended learning and student time-use in engineering education

Aiheen laajempi artikkeli on julkaistu konferenssi-CD:llä.

DSpacen uuden XML-workflow:n hyödyntäminen opinnäytteiden palautuksessa, käsittelyssä ja arvostelussa

Esitys Ajankohtaista julkaisuarkistoista -seminaarissa 14.6.2012

Summaries of lecture recordings used as learning material in blended learning

Julkaisumaa: 530 AN ANT Alankomaiden Antillit

It’s a workflow engine. It’s working with linked data. It’s repository! – Supporting electronic thesis related processes in University of Helsinki library

Presentation at Open Repositories 2014, Helsinki, Finland, June 9-13, 2014

SYLI - an external workflow system for DSpace

Presentation at Open Repositories 2014, Helsinki, Finland, June 9-13, 2014

Exposing usage and workflow in a DSpace repository

Poster at Open Repositories 2014, Helsinki, Finland, June 9-13, 2014

Developing purchase invoice processing through workflow automation

The aim of this master’s thesis is to research and analyze how purchase invoice processing can be automated and streamlined in a system renewal project. The impacts of workflow automation on invoice handling are studied by means of time, cost and quality aspects. Purchase invoice processing has a lot of potential for automation because of its labor-intensive and repetitive nature. As a case study combining both qualitative and quantitative methods, the topic is approached from a business process management point of view. The current process was first explored through interviews and workshop meetings to create a holistic understanding of the process at hand. Requirements for process streamlining were then researched focusing on specified vendors and their purchase invoices, which helped to identify the critical factors for successful invoice automation. To optimize the flow from invoice receipt to approval for payment, the invoice receiving process was outsourced and the automation functionalities of the new system utilized in invoice handling. The quality of invoice data and the need of simple structured purchase order (PO) invoices were emphasized in the system testing phase. Hence, consolidated invoices containing references to multiple PO or blanket release numbers should be simplified in order to use automated PO matching. With non-PO invoices, it is important to receive the buyer reference details in an applicable invoice data field so that automation rules could be created to route invoices to a review and approval flow. In the beginning of the project, invoice processing was seen ineffective both time- and cost-wise, and it required a lot of manual labor to carry out all tasks. In accordance with testing results, it was estimated that over half of the invoices could be automated within a year after system implementation. Processing times could be reduced remarkably, which would then result savings up to 40 % in annual processing costs. Due to several advancements in the purchase invoice process, business process quality could also be perceived as improved.

Blended learning in der Hochschullehre?

Im Zuge der Verbesserung der Lehre an deutschen Hochschulen und Universitäten sind in den letzten Jahren bereits vielfältige Innovationen hinsichtlich der Gestaltung von Vorlesungen und Seminaren in den unterschiedlichen Fachdisziplinen deutlich geworden. Bei größeren Vorlesungen besteht das Problem eine kognitive Mitarbeit von allen Studierenden zu fördern, vor allem in Mathematikvorlesungen. In den letzten Jahren konnten bereits vielversprechende Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten im Bereich der Fachmathematikvorlesungen eingesetzt werden, die ganz im Trend der digitalen Medien liegen. Diese sind aus dem Alltag vieler Berufsgruppen, wie auch der Lehre und in der Freizeit nicht mehr wegzudenken. Im Folgenden wird eine Pilotstudie mit ersten Ergebnissen beschrieben. Das Projekt M@thWithApps startete im WS 2012/2013 in der Fachvorlesung „Mathematische Anwendungen“ mit 120 Studierenden des Grundschullehramts an der Universität Kassel. Die Studierenden wurden mit Tablet-PCs ausgestattet, die über den gesamten Vorlesungs- und Übungszeitraum eingesetzt wurden. Somit stellt sich die Frage nach den Chancen und Risiken dieser besonderen Form des Lernens, verbunden mit einem Tablet-PC.

Uso del blended learning como estrategia metodológica en Secundaria y Bachillerato.

Seleccionado en la convocatoria: Ayudas a la innovación e investigación educativa en centros docentes de niveles no universitarios, Gobierno de Aragón 2009-10

Blended e-learning en universidades andaluzas

Resumen tomado de la publicaci??n