Economic Models - Convex Optimization

132 Nikitas Spiros Koutsoukis
Some researchers like Vernadat, Kosanke, Tolone, and Zeigler consider
that this technology would better penetrate and serve any kind of
enterprises if:
• They identify users and a specific EIM problem. An example of an EIM
problem is how to produce high-quality products at low cost.
• They make a prototype EIM that addresses the problem, contributing in
the decision-making process based on a simple initial model accepted by
the majority of the users (Tolone et al., 2002).
• There was a standard vision on what EM really depend and there was an
international consensus on the underlying concept for the benefit of the
business users (Kosanke et al., 2000).
• There was a standard, user-oriented, interface in the form of a unified
enterprise modeling language (UEML) based on the previous consensus
to be available on all commercial modeling tools.
• There were real EM and simulation tools commercially available in the
market place taking into account function, information, resource, organization,
and financial aspects of an enterprise including human aspects,
exception handling, and process coordination. Simulation tools need to
be configurable, distributed, and agent-based simulation tools (Vernadat
and Zeigler, 2000).
However, it is rather unlikely that a single EIM that will be equally
applicable to all organizations. Each organization will have to develop its
own strategy and philosophy (Fox and Huang, 2005). Despite the different
approaches (frameworks) of EIM, we always have to bear in mind the
following functional requirements of an EIM framework (Patankar and
Adiga, 1995):
(1) Decision orientation. An EI model based on any particular concept of
an EM framework should support the decision-making process considering
thoroughly all factors of the external and internal environment
affecting the enterprise.
(2) Completeness. EM frameworks should be able to represent all aspects
of the enterprise such as business units, business data, information
systems, and external partners i.e., suppliers, sub-contractors, and
customers.
(3) Appropriateness. EIM frameworks should be representing the enterprise
at appropriate levels by providing models that can be understood
by people with heterogeneous backgrounds.