Title: Network-centric operations during transition in global enterprise

Authors: Sergej Bondar; John C. Hsu; Josip Stjepandić

Addresses: PROSTEP AG, Dolivostrasse 11, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany ' California State University, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840, USA ' PROSTEP AG, Dolivostrasse 11, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany

Abstract: Network-centric operations (NCO) recognise that interdependence is crucial to an organisation's future. NCO occurs when systems are linked or networked by a common infrastructure, share information across geographic borders, and dynamically reallocate resources based on operational needs. It makes an environment where seamless collaboration between networks, systems or elements within systems is possible. One of typical areas of interest is the supplier networks which are triggered to work concurrently. Such networks suffer enormous stress in case of transition. On the operational level, the main pitfalls in this process chain are the complexity of communication rules, the plethora of communication devices and interfaces, and the insufficient data quality from customer' perspective which in particular arise in case of major changes (system change or change of ownership). Finally, solution approaches derived in cooperation between the data exchange service center http://www.opendesc.com and two global suppliers demonstrate the practical use of NCO.

Keywords: network-centric operations; NCO; architecture reference model; ARM; system-of-systems engineering; SOSE; engineering collaboration; data quality; change management; common infrastructure; information sharing; resource reallocation; supplier networks; data exchange; transition; global enterprises; cooperation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASM.2015.073524

International Journal of Agile Systems and Management, 2015 Vol.8 No.3/4, pp.355 - 373

Received: 03 Feb 2015
Accepted: 06 May 2015
Published online: 11 Dec 2015 *

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