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Improving Data Models in Operational IT Systems

Summary of the impact

The impact of this work stems from the provision of better quality information models, and is manifest via: (a) reduced cost through improved reuse and less rework; (b) improved system interoperability; and (c) enhanced assurance and checking that information requirements are supported by the resultant systems. The approach has been applied in commercial environments, such as Shell (UK), where it has reduced development costs by up to 50% ($1m in one case). It has also been applied in the defence environment, forming a part of underpinning standards currently being implemented by the UK and Swedish Armed Forces.

Submitting Institution

Brunel University

Unit of Assessment

Computer Science and Informatics

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, Information Systems

Implementation of a new Organisational Knowledge Management and e-Student System for use by Macedonia Higher Education.

Summary of the impact

This case study demonstrates how the application of GRBOM has been used to deliver a national e-student system. Key impacts include:

  • Providing an e-student CRM system accommodating 80% of the student population in Macedonia;
  • Savings of 237,014 student days with associated direct cost savings of 2.2million euros;
  • Administrative and academic savings of 1,058 days and savings of 43,660 euros;
  • Providing students with greater choice in the selection of their degree subject and modules;
  • Providing the first electronic communication infrastructure integrating students, academics and their universities;
  • Providing architecture and methodologies for CRM systems and an e-platform for adoption by Macedonia's Government in other sectors.

Submitting Institution

London South Bank University

Unit of Assessment

Business and Management Studies

Summary Impact Type

Economic

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Computer Software, Information Systems
Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services: Business and Management

A novel e-platform that has transformed a traditional sheet music business into a global digital enterprise.

Summary of the impact

This case study demonstrates how research into Object Orientated programming has resulted in a feature-rich e-commerce platform that has transformed the management and operations of a traditional sheet music company (Faber Music) and its expanding business partner network.

Impact includes:

  • Adoption of an efficient electronic enterprise and distribution model that provides global reach at significantly lower costs;
  • Creation of a new income stream for the Company (£40k year 1, rising to £260k year 3 and growing) based upon digital distribution;
  • A novel e-partner scheme delivering benefits through access to a wider range of digital content and routes to market;
  • Mitigation of media piracy by being able to minimise the price differential as seen by the purchaser;
  • Recovery of $1million from an illegal download site in Russia who are now an e-partner.

Submitting Institution

London South Bank University

Unit of Assessment

Business and Management Studies

Summary Impact Type

Economic

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, Computer Software, Information Systems

Salford Process Reengineering Involving New Technology

Summary of the impact

Research at the University of Manchester, focusing on process systems in advanced architecture for large systems, has enabled the development and successful implementation of the Salford Process Reengineering Involving New Technology (SPRINT) method within Salford City Council. SPRINT is a change and innovation method tailored to the needs of the public sector. Having been adopted as the standard for all Local Authorities in 2004, the SPRINT methodology aided Salford City Council in achieving savings of £20M by 2011. It has been further used in projects in Education and Housing where it has delivered cost savings of £0.5M.

Submitting Institution

University of Manchester

Unit of Assessment

Business and Management Studies

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, Information Systems
Education: Specialist Studies In Education

Enhancement of 'Upstream' Software Development Methods

Summary of the impact

BU's software engineering research has focused on the improvement of software development methods with a particular emphasis on the `upstream' or requirements phases. The benefits include improved development processes as well as considerable financial savings, as evidenced in this case study. The research has been used locally in projects with medium sized enterprises (SME's) and in collaboration with international partners including National ICT Australia (NICTA) to enhance business and IT alignment (Australia and Japan); the European Commission funded VIsualise all moDel drivEn programming (VIDE) project to impact commercial tools (France and Germany); and with Bosch Automotive (Germany) to enhance model driven development.

Submitting Institution

Bournemouth University

Unit of Assessment

General Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Computer Software, Information Systems

Software companies stay innovative and win business in fast-moving and competitive market

Summary of the impact

Research on software architectures and reengineering helped Portuguese IT company ATX develop automated migration tools. A report by IT research company Gartner in 2009 identified the collaboration as one of the company's key strengths. The partnership allowed ATX to sustain an innovative R&D programme and win business in a competitive market.

Impact occurred via:

  • New and improved methodologies and technologies provided to customers;
  • Improved R&D capacity through upskilling of staff;
  • Improved profile as a leading-edge IT company, leading to new business.

The same research also helped local SME Hunter Systems to redesign their products for the Web.

Submitting Institution

University of Leicester

Unit of Assessment

Computer Science and Informatics

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, Computer Software, Information Systems

UOA11-08: Reasoning Systems (HermiT)

Summary of the impact

State-of-the-art reasoning systems developed in the UoA have underpinned the standardisation of ontology languages, and play a critical role in numerous applications. For example, HermiT, software developed in the UoA, is being used by Électricité de France (EDF) to provide bespoke energy saving advice to 265,000 customers in France, and a roll out of the use of the system to all of their 17 million customers is planned.

Submitting Institution

University of Oxford

Unit of Assessment

Computer Science and Informatics

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, Computation Theory and Mathematics, Information Systems

Using systems thinking to improve operations management practice in organisations

Summary of the impact

Aston University has developed systems thinking, specifically soft systems thinking, into a new approach known as the Process Orientated Holonic (PrOH) Modelling Methodology which has been used to model, debate and implement changes to strategy and operational processes in service and manufacturing organisations. Through PrOH Modelling our research has changed the awareness, use, and long term legacy effect in a variety of organisations as exemplified here by 4 cases in which considerable operational and financial impacts have accrued. These impacts have been achieved by (i) increasing awareness of systems thinking, particularly soft systems thinking, by management (ii) implementing use of soft systems thinking (as PrOH modelling) to give demonstrable organisational improvement in specific change projects, and (iii) ensuring a legacy effect of systems thinking practice, as managers' use of systems thinking is more effective after an initial Aston University led project has been completed.

Submitting Institution

Aston University

Unit of Assessment

Business and Management Studies

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Mathematical Sciences: Statistics
Information and Computing Sciences: Information Systems
Economics: Applied Economics

Adaptive Information Systems

Summary of the impact

The University of Surrey has developed a set of tools that is enabling us to develop innovative web-based information systems with much lower resources than has formerly been possible.

These tools and techniques are being exploited by a University of Surrey spinout, Rulemotion.

The underlying platform has now been used to develop eight distinct business systems. A key feature of our approach is that it enables the business domain to be modelled in structured natural language (using the Object Management Group (OMG) supported standard SBVR [for Semantics of Business Vocabularies and Rules]). The server side functionality is then generated from the business model. Rulemotion is the first organisation to offer such extensive support of SBVR. This is a key fusion of the Business Analysis (Business Rules) and Information Technology domains — the gulf between these two communities has been an area of tension for the past 30 years.

Submitting Institution

University of Surrey

Unit of Assessment

Computer Science and Informatics

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Information Systems
Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services: Business and Management
Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration

Agent-Oriented Software Engineering: The Gaia Methodology

Summary of the impact

This case is based on economic impact. It shows how research by Professor Michael Wooldridge at the University of Liverpool on the Gaia Methodology for agent-oriented software engineering improved the performance of the Swiss company Whitestein Technologies AG and of international users of its key product. Specifically, the research enabled Whitestein to develop its business process management system (BPM) Living Systems Process Suite which delivers several million pounds per year of revenues, corresponding to 50% of their total business revenues. Users of Whitestein's Living Systems Process Suite since 2008 include Daimler AG, Transcor Astra Group, Vienna Insurance Group, and the US Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2010 Gartner, the world's leading IT advisory company, recognized the impact and innovation of the Living Systems Process Suite by naming Whitestein a Cool Vendor in BPM.

Submitting Institution

University of Liverpool

Unit of Assessment

Computer Science and Informatics

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Computation Theory and Mathematics, Computer Software, Information Systems

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