Enterprise Interoperability VI

Enterprise Interoperability VI gathers more than 40 peer-reviewed papers that range from academic research and case studies to accounts of interoperability in industry and public administration. Its central argument is that, as markets become global, firms need to cooperate with one another efficiently to stay competitive while keeping costs low in economic, social and environmental terms. The most forward-looking companies, the contributors note, are already reshaping their business models so they can interoperate. The volume gives this a broad frame, covering not only single firms but also supply chains, virtual enterprises, interconnected and extended organisations, and mergers and acquisitions. It also looks at how collaboration must be managed dynamically, since partners may need to adjust when objectives shift, resources change or unexpected events arise. Many papers include worked examples and illustrations meant to deepen understanding and spark new ideas. The seventh volume in the Proceedings of the I-ESA Conferences, it documents the I-ESA'14 conference, organised by Ecole des Mines Albi-Carmaux for PGSO and the European Virtual Laboratory for Enterprise Interoperability (INTEROP-VLab), with support from the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP). It is intended as a concise reference on the state of the art for engineers and computer scientists in manufacturing and process industries, and for software, electronic and manufacturing engineers in academia.