An Architecture Framework for Orchestrating Context-Aware IT Ecosystems: A Case Study for Quantitative Evaluation

Abstract

With the emergence of various forms of smart devices and new paradigms such as the Internet of Things (IoT) concept, the IT (Information Technology) service areas are expanding explosively compared to the provision of services by single systems. A new system operation concept that has emerged in accordance with such technical trends is the IT ecosystem. The IT ecosystem can be considered a special type of system of systems in which multiple systems with various degrees of autonomy achieve common goals while adapting to the given environment. The single systems that participate in the IT ecosystem adapt autonomously to the current situation based on collected data from sensors. Furthermore, to maintain the services supported by the whole IT ecosystem sustainably, the configuration of single systems that participate in the IT ecosystem also changes appropriately in accordance with the changed situation. In order to support the IT ecosystem, this paper proposes an architecture framework that supports dynamic configuration changes to achieve the goal of the whole IT ecosystem, while ensuring the autonomy of single systems through the collection of data from sensors so as to recognize the situational context of individual participating systems. For the feasibility evaluation of the proposed framework, a simulated example of an IT ecosystem for unmanned forest management was constructed, and the quantitative evaluation results are discussed in terms of the extent to which the proposed architecture framework can continuously provide sustainable services in response to diverse environmental context changes.

What is a Cyber-Physical System: Definitions and models spectrum

“…CPS 2 , where digital part can be changed (adjusted) to better control the physical part. In this model, it is introduced another level of "digital", with the second "Learning" module, that has capacity to learn about the Learning module in the CPS 1 model.…”

“…A future CPS scenario will not face only more sensors and actuators and their connectedness, but a set of much more autonomous units (generalized as 'things') that, being not necessarily integrated, cooperate, are composable and, essentially, allow instate dynamic reconfiguration or programming, towards a resilient and adaptable IT ecosystem, "(...) a special type of system of systems in which multiple systems with various degrees of autonomy achieve common goals while adapting to the given environment…(…)" [2]. Seen as a new perspective for existing technology-based solutions, but now with effective refactoring patterns, applicable to much more than software components.…”

An Automatic User Activity Analysis Method for Discovering Latent Requirements: Usability Issue Detection on Mobile Applications

“…Then, the automatic user activity analysis method itself is presented. In our previous study [ 6 ], we proposed a framework for orchestrating context-aware IT ecosystems, highlighting a mechanism for selecting an optimal collaboration configuration among multiple autonomous devices. The previously proposed framework also supports a local adaptation mechanism, which detects environmental changes perceived in a single device and supports appropriate adaptative responses to these changes.…”

“…The previously proposed framework also supports a local adaptation mechanism, which detects environmental changes perceived in a single device and supports appropriate adaptative responses to these changes. To develop a workable architecture to realize the proposed automatic user activity analysis method on the Android platform, we referenced part of the framework in Reference [ 6 ] for local adaptation mechanisms.…”

“…In general, the self-adaptive framework not only detects environmental changes and latent requirements on running mobile applications, but also supports a complete self-adaptation cycle, from establishing and implementing a configuration change plan, to resolving the detected latent requirements. However, the self-adaptive framework used in this paper, refers only to the local adaptation part of the reference framework supporting the IT ecosystem [ 6 ]. The feasibility of the proposed framework was shown via a prototype that automatically resolved a latent requirement on the GUI design of a shopping mall application running on the Android platform.…”