Towards a semantically enhanced interoperability service utility to support small-medium enterprises. (1st January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Matzakou, Irene; Sarraipa, João; Askounis, Dimitris; Jardim-Goncalves, Ricardo; Charalabidis, Yannis
• Is Part Of: International journal of computational intelligence studies. Volume 2:Number 3/4(2013)
• Page Start: 241
• Page End: 263
• Publication Date: 2013-01-01
• Subjects: interoperability service utility -- ISU -- intelligent systems -- knowledge management -- reference ontology; Computational intelligence -- Periodicals; 006.305
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-4985

Abstract

The interoperability service utility (ISU) concept aims to support mainly small-medium enterprises (SMEs) to seamlessly adapt, collaborate and interoperate with each other within today's competitive business environment. In this paper, we propose a complete implementation of an ISU, its architecture, knowledge management and services' provision mechanisms. We have especially enhanced its knowledge management ability by integrating MENTOR, a methodology based on the development of a common, top-level 'reference ontology', serving as an intermediary in the communications between SMEs, harmonising not semantically coincident ontologies that represent the same segment of reality. The result of our work is the development of an intelligent system that serves as a utility software component that establishes interoperability among communicating enterprises. It is verified through the application of the proposed ISU in the everyday transactions of two enterprises in the furniture manufacturing sector.