GECOS%20Global%20Engineering%20Coordination%20Support

1
GECOS Global Engineering Coordination Support

• Kari Alho
• Jussi Kanerva
• Reijo SulonenHelsinki University of Technology
• TAI Research Centre
• Software Engineering Group
• http//wwwseg.cs.hut.fi/gecos/

2
Contents

• Project background
• Benefits for companies
• Research challenge
• Global engineering project characteristics
• Requirements for a solution
• Research proposal project structure

5.3.1998
3
Project background

• Originally proposed by two companies
• Industry need for efficient integrated product
  design in a distributed environment
• TAI Research Centres experience in problem
  areas
• Distributed workflow, BPR, CAD, Rapid
  Prototyping, PDM, Internet,
• Industry and research collaboration

5.3.1998
4
Benefits for companies

• Faster engineering cycle through
• Availability of physically separated resources
• Best possible project staff and competence
• Improved concurrency
• Reduced training by utilizing experts everywhere
• Additional savings possible in
• Reduced management overheads and travelling
• Reduced investments in systems infrastructure

5.3.1998
5
GECOS application environment
Number of partners
Expert network
Megaproject
Size of project
Project
Enterprise project
5.3.1998
6
Research challenge

• Flexible, distributed project management system
• Agent technologies, network communication and
  web-type software tools
• Virtual designs and simulations in network
• Co-location
• Integration of existing solutions

5.3.1998
7
Global engineering project characteristics

• Several independent partners and concurrent
  activities
• Virtual engineering over netwroks
• Design information exchange through data
  communications
• May be separated by distance, time, culture
• May be short-lived
• Little guarantees of common infrastructure

5.3.1998
8
Requirements for a solution

• Easy project set-up and management
• Short lead time
• Affordable, common technological infrastructure
• WEB-based

• Engineering business processes
• Definition support
• Human issues
• Teamwork
• Effective management
• Reward mechanisms

5.3.1998
9
Technological infrastructure

• Basic networking
• Security services
• Directory services
• Design tools with data interchange common
  formats
• Standards

• Internet-based
• Project management and reporting
• Product data management
• Collaboration software
• Email
• Conferencing

How to choose right components and integrate them?
5.3.1998
10
Research proposal structure
Electrolux-RD project
IBM
GECOS RESEARCH PROJECT
Elomatic Oy project
HP
Yritysverkot Oy project
COMPANY PROJECT
PILOTPROJECT
Company project N
Core group collaboration
Support group
5.3.1998
11
GECOS research project

• Develop generic methods and tools to support
  global engineering projects
• Duration 2 years, 3/98 - 12/99
• 4-5 researchers
• Coordinated by TAI Research Centre
• Funded by TEKES and industry
• Pilot projects support the company projects

5.3.1998
12
Work packages

• Distributed project management
• Product modeling and visualization
• Global engineering processes
• Product data management in virtual enterprises
• Communication and collaboration methods

5.3.1998
13
Company projects

• Electrolux Rapid Development
• Elomatic Oy
• Yritysverkot Oy
• Technology providers IBM, HP
• GECOS research project
• Funded by TEKES and the pilot companies
• Company-specific work for application of the
  results of the research project
• Up to 3 person-months of effort reserved for each
  pilot company

5.3.1998
14
GECOS project resources

• Steering group
• Representatives of pilot companies, TEKES, TAI
• Technology providers
• HP, IBM
• TAI personnel
• Professor Reijo Sulonen Leader
• M.Sc. Kari Alho Project manager
• Pekka Isto, Arno Karatmaa, Yanbo Han, N.N.
  Researchers

5.3.1998
15
Cost estimate and funding
5.3.1998
16
How to join - more information

• TAI Research Centre
• GECOS Project Manager
• Kari Alho
• Tel [phone]
• E-mail Kari.Alho_at_hut.fi

• MET
• RAPID Coordinator
• Pekka Malinen
• Tel [phone]
• E-mail
• Pekka.Malinen_at_met.fi

5.3.1998