Information Technology Reference
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integrated planning and simulation approach. However, all these approaches satisfy
the 4PL's specific requirements (Section 2) only partially. The development of
simulation models based on process models is insufficiently considered.
Model Transformations:
For integrating simulation in the planning the use of
transformation approaches for defining transformation models as a mediator between
process and simulation models is interesting for our approach. In both approaches of
[23, 24] a transformation model is used in an additional step in order to derive a
simulation model from an already existing process model. Both approaches take the
fact that process models are independently defined from simulation requirements. In
practice, process models serve to foster transparency or documentation and to analyze
the requirements for the introduction or implementation of new information systems.
However, both approaches assume that a process model is defined using a specific
modeling language (EPC).
Data Acquisition for Simulation:
Bernhard et al. gives at first a theoretical overview
of research results including theoretical definitions of terms like information, data,
and knowledge. Based on this a process-oriented procedure model for information
acquisition in a superordinate procedure model for simulation according to VDI 3633
[16] is presented. Furthermore, different taxonomies of methods from data
acquisition, statistics and visualization and their utilization were analyzed and
classified. In contrast, [25] propose the separation of the steps of information and
acquisition from the modeling process. Therefore, the procedure model for simulation
was extended by a separate handling of the model and the data. So a continuous and
iterative verification and validation process should be provided. Kuhn et al. argue that
a distinguished consideration of data collection and preparation is missing and fill this
gap by another procedure model extended by a chain of sub-processes within
information acquisition [26]. The paper proposes a procedure model of information
acquisition which is more a task- and user-oriented approach. All these contributions
have one thing in common: they assume that simulation projects are isolated from an
overall integrated planning procedure and the development and analysis of simulation
models is a project for its own. In our approach, simulation is part of an integrated
planning process and an overall approach for a 4PL.
Complex Event Processing:
Roth and Donath point out the use and advantages of
complex event processing (CEP) for the 4PL business model for monitoring business
processes and collecting real-time data [6]. Yao et al. analyze the application of CEP in
hospitals by using RFID. They introduce a framework and provide a possible solution to
improve patient safety, whereby the power of CEP is shown. Some parts of the approach
can be partly adopted, but the framework is too abstract and not suitable for the presented
application area [27]. Buchmann et al. investigate event processing in production, logistics
and transportation. It is described how service-orientation and event processing can be
combined and how the application area can benefit from real-time data. This paper covers
the logistics area and discusses CEP as a powerful approach without going into detail [17].
Because of the high level consideration the paper only provides partial input for the work
presented in this paper, but the discussion underpins the thoughts of the authors. Anymore
these approaches do not meet the requirements of a 4PL business model, more precisely
