Context: Start-ups have recently emerged as an operational model for small and newly-founded firms globally. This increasing business acceptance is present within the European markets, as well as within the Greek. Researchers also complied to the ”commands” of the industry and startup research followed the same, to practice, increasing course. Although the increase in both research and practice is visible, and the fact that several start-up related topics are well-documented, the start-up literature still shows certain limitations that need to be answered. Theory: This study performs an extensive review of the start-up literature, provides definitions and descriptions of key start-up characteristics, and identifies the main streams, and limitations of start-up research, as long as cases of actual start-ups within the Greek business reality. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide insight on certain literature limitations by examining start-up customs towards collaboration and openness initiatives and activities. More in detail, the study aims to identify whether start-ups are able to collaborate (newness and smallness paradox), what is the extent (breadth and depth, partner variety, and collaboration content) of their collaboration and openness customs with different partners, but also the individual importance of specific partners, and the ways this importance changes through different phases of the start-up growth. Also, documented matters such as the determinants of collaborations and the internal organizational structure of start-ups towards openness and collaborations are also discussed. Design/Methodology/Approach: A multiple-case study that follows the replication logic is performed. The study focuses on six Greek online start-ups, and extracts information initially from the websites of the firms, and then by interviewing one key employee in each start-up. The combined information from each case are cross-analysed so as behavioural patterns to emerge and conclusions to be drawn regarding start-up initiatives and activities towards collaboration and openness. Findings: Start-ups are indeed able to collaborate and practice openness with external partners from the beginning, while the collaboration and openness is closely related to the desired outcome/collaboration content that fulfils a specific need. This desired outcome is connected to the extent – breadth and depth – of the collaboration, but also to the type of each partner. Thus, startups closely collaborate with few and selected partners of each kind (e.g. universities, supplies etc.), with the exception of customers and users. The collaboration with customers and users is wide and limited on their feedbacks due to their numbers. Customers, users, suppliers, innovation intermediaries, and universities were identified as the most important partners to start-ups. The importance of these partners is connected to the start-up growth lifecycle. Innovation intermediaries are the most important startup partners, while customers, users and suppliers are important from the stabilization phase and during the whole start-up lifecycle. Universities importance were not found to be clearly connected to the startup growth phases, but mostly to the collaboration content. Regarding the importance, some differences might occur amongst start-ups active in different industries. Those differences are industry specific and affect how and when each start-up collaborates with different partners. Finally, this study confirmed the propositions of previous studies regarding the determinants and internal organizational structure towards collaboration and openness with external partners. Research limitations and implications: Although the present study shows a set of limitations mostly regarding the number and distribution of the cases, it is the authors’ belief that it also shows a set of theoretical and practical implications. It provides managers and researchers with findings on uncharted territories in start-up literature, it connects its findings to prior start-up research, and provides insight on the almost undeveloped literature on Greek start-ups.

The diploma thesis deals with the definition of transformation process of the "appropriate" application into Software as a Service (SaaS) distribution model. For this purpose, it describes the SaaS model and evaluates its pros and cons in four points of view -- developer, distributor, customer and user. Following parts of the model description are an estimation of the future evolution of the SaaS model, the introduction of application SaaS Platforms and the specification of appropriate application for the SaaS model. Next chapter deals with the specifications of the application distributed in the Software as a Service model. These specifications define all needed application properties that have to be implemented in the transformation process. These specifications are for example differentiation of customer data and administration access, configuration and customization, application and data security, business and pricing model, service level agreement etc. The last chapter deals with the formulation of the transformation process of the application into SaaS model. Individual activities of the process are closely described and demonstrated on the preparation of details for the transformation of the web-based application Audit Information Tracker into SaaS model.

This thesis focuses on the ubiquitous cloud computing trend and particularly Software as a Service. The main goal is to specify all pros and cons of this concept for its customers and also cloud providers. The global perspective is then specified to Software as a Service and deployment of SaaS ERP products. The next goal is to define an appropriate method to analyze a company's needs prior to switching to the cloud. Furthermore, recommendations as to whether the cloud is better than an on-premise version should result from the previous analysis. Another aim is to form a process for successful switch to the cloud and ensure all important aspects of using cloud services are covered. Theoretical findings and recommendations are used in a practical example of SaaS ERP deployment. To reach all goals, a theoretical analysis of all available monograph and electronic sources, covering cloud computing and consultations with experts from the company; Algotech BSC, were used. The main added value is in the dual point of view on the topic, from customer's and provider's viewpoints with a more detailed focus on ERP. The author suggests the right procedure for switching to the cloud, guidance with calculating ROI, TCO and preparing all necessary contracts and agreements.

A systematic method can extrapolate tacit knowledge (hidden or subjective knowledge) so that it can become objective and discernable. This process focused on discovering causes of failures by extricating data from medical equipment service software cases closed by telephone by field service personnel. Their responses to observed failures were compared to troubleshooting guides in use by telephone support personnel to find new processes that would increase effectiveness of telephone support staff. We asked “What are indicators of device failure reported in technical support calls?” and then “What factors contribute to user reported device failures identified by callers to technical support?” A series of interviews with veteran personnel were used to validate responses from the “phone closed” cases along with ideas pulled from a review of documentation. Analysis of one hundred seventy three cases yielded over five hundred recommendations to make the telephone support personnel’s responses more accurate, consistent and reliable.

<p>Pametna elektroenergetska mreža predstavlja mrežu nove generacije koja treba da bude efikasna, proširiva, pouzdana i jednostavna za upravljanje. Pametnu mrežu karakteriše veliki broj uređaja i dvosmerna komunikacija sa njima. Ovi uređaji će generisati ogromne količine podataka koje je potrebno pročitati i transportovati do kontrolnog centra, za šta je neophodna odgovarajuća komunikaciona infrastruktura koja obezbeđuje adekvatan kvalitet usluge. U ovoj disertaciji je prikazano rešenje za obezbeđivanje kvaliteta usluge sabraćaja sa dinamičkim promenama prioriteta i propusnog opsega bazirano na programabilnim računarskim mrežama. Takođe je razvijena platforma za evaluaciju komunikacione infrastrukture pametnih mreža kako bi se omogućilo jednostavnije emuliranje različitih mrežnih topologija za potrebe razvoja novih algoritama upravljanja. Performanse rešenja su potvrđene putem šest testnih scenarija i pokazano je da predstavljeno rešenje daje bolje rezultate za sve scenarije sa aspekta obezbeđivanja propusnog opsega i mrežnog kašnjenja.</p> / <p>Smart grid represents the next generation power network which should be efficient, extensible, reliable and easy to manage. The smart grid will have a great number of devices with two-way communication. These devices will generate large amount of data that needs to be read and transported to utility control center, which further requires adequate communication infrastructure with appropriate quality of service. This dissertation presents a solution for providing quality of service for traffic with dynamic priority and bandwidth requirements, based on software defined networks. The platform for smart grid communication infrastructure evaluation is developed to enable easy emulation of different network topologies for the purpose of developing new control algorithms. Solution performance is verified using six test scenarios and it is shown that the proposed solution gives better results for all scenarios from the aspect of bandwidth provision and network latency.</p>

A dependência tecnológica da sociedade atual e a flexibilidade necessária para constantes mudanças exigem produtos de software corretos e disponíveis para uso. Os testes são atividades intrínsecas à produção de software e ultimamente vêm ganhando importância como um negócio empresarial próprio, independente do desenvolvimento e com perspectivas de crescimento. Essa atividade é substancialmente prestação de serviço, uma vez que entrega qualidade a respeito de um produto de software e cuja avaliação só pode ser feita de acordo com parâmetros de julgamento do cliente, além de considerar a presença e ingerência do cliente em boa parte do processo de teste. O Brasil é reconhecidamente um dos mais importantes centros de excelência em testes de software e tem se distinguido também na execução de forma independente, o que tem provocado rearranjo de papéis, responsabilidades e forças na atuação da cadeia de valor do software. Este trabalho procura responder como se organizam as operações das empresas de testes independentes de software (ETIS) de forma a torná-las singulares e específicas. Grande parte das pesquisas nesse tema têm se concentrado em questões técnicas de como modelar bons testes de software, registrando-se pouca reflexão sobre temas organizacionais nessa área. Para tanto, foi elaborado um modelo conceitual de organização das operações, capaz de revelar a singularidade da atividade empresarial. O modelo foi submetido a avaliação por meio de um estudo de casos múltiplos, envolvendo seis ETIS e também organizações brasileiras clientes e desenvolvedoras de software. A pesquisa revelou importantes práticas empresariais das ETIS. Destacam-se os seguintes pontos: perfil empresarial empreendedor e inovador, preocupação na entrega de serviço contendo o maior quantidade possível de não-conformidades, constituição de um portfólio diversificado e substantivo de projetos de teste, integração de sistemas produtivos tipo fábrica e personalizado e uso cada vez maior de automação nos processos. A experiência daqueles que vêm utilizando os serviços das ETIS tem comprovado um aumento efetivo no nível de qualidade do software e o mercado, por sua vez, tem refinado os critérios de seleção das ETIS, exigindo-lhes alta maturidade. / Technology dependence of modern society and the flexibility to accommodate constant changes require correct and ready software products. Testing activities are intrinsic to the software production, which lately have been gaining importance as an independent business and broad prospects for growth. This activity is substantially service because it deliveries software product quality which evaluation can only be made according to client\'s trial parameters, besides considering their presence and interference in much of the testing process. Brazil is recognized as an excellence center leading in software testing issues and has also distinguished itself in independent performance, which has caused rearrangement of roles, responsibilities, actions and powers in the software value chain relationships. This paper attempts to answer how to organize the independent software testing enterprises (ETIS) business operations, in order to make this business model unique and specific. Software testing research has focused more on technical issues, especially about how to model and specify good software testing and less about organizational issues. This research aims a conceptual model of organizational operations, able to reveal the uniqueness of business activity. The proposal was subjected to evaluation using a multiple case study involving six ETIS and also other Brazilian organizations as customers and software developers. The research revealed important business practices of ETIS, which have ensured the success of the enterprise and business profitability. It was highlight the following points: entrepreneurial and innovative business profile, high concern in service delivery as software product quality, establishment of a portfolio of diverse and substantive testing projects, factory and custom productive systems integration and increasing use of automation in testing processes. The experience of those who have used ETIS services has proven an effective increase in the level of software quality and software value chain has refined the ETIS selection criteria, requiring them high level of maturity.

A dependência tecnológica da sociedade atual e a flexibilidade necessária para constantes mudanças exigem produtos de software corretos e disponíveis para uso. Os testes são atividades intrínsecas à produção de software e ultimamente vêm ganhando importância como um negócio empresarial próprio, independente do desenvolvimento e com perspectivas de crescimento. Essa atividade é substancialmente prestação de serviço, uma vez que entrega qualidade a respeito de um produto de software e cuja avaliação só pode ser feita de acordo com parâmetros de julgamento do cliente, além de considerar a presença e ingerência do cliente em boa parte do processo de teste. O Brasil é reconhecidamente um dos mais importantes centros de excelência em testes de software e tem se distinguido também na execução de forma independente, o que tem provocado rearranjo de papéis, responsabilidades e forças na atuação da cadeia de valor do software. Este trabalho procura responder como se organizam as operações das empresas de testes independentes de software (ETIS) de forma a torná-las singulares e específicas. Grande parte das pesquisas nesse tema têm se concentrado em questões técnicas de como modelar bons testes de software, registrando-se pouca reflexão sobre temas organizacionais nessa área. Para tanto, foi elaborado um modelo conceitual de organização das operações, capaz de revelar a singularidade da atividade empresarial. O modelo foi submetido a avaliação por meio de um estudo de casos múltiplos, envolvendo seis ETIS e também organizações brasileiras clientes e desenvolvedoras de software. A pesquisa revelou importantes práticas empresariais das ETIS. Destacam-se os seguintes pontos: perfil empresarial empreendedor e inovador, preocupação na entrega de serviço contendo o maior quantidade possível de não-conformidades, constituição de um portfólio diversificado e substantivo de projetos de teste, integração de sistemas produtivos tipo fábrica e personalizado e uso cada vez maior de automação nos processos. A experiência daqueles que vêm utilizando os serviços das ETIS tem comprovado um aumento efetivo no nível de qualidade do software e o mercado, por sua vez, tem refinado os critérios de seleção das ETIS, exigindo-lhes alta maturidade. / Technology dependence of modern society and the flexibility to accommodate constant changes require correct and ready software products. Testing activities are intrinsic to the software production, which lately have been gaining importance as an independent business and broad prospects for growth. This activity is substantially service because it deliveries software product quality which evaluation can only be made according to client\'s trial parameters, besides considering their presence and interference in much of the testing process. Brazil is recognized as an excellence center leading in software testing issues and has also distinguished itself in independent performance, which has caused rearrangement of roles, responsibilities, actions and powers in the software value chain relationships. This paper attempts to answer how to organize the independent software testing enterprises (ETIS) business operations, in order to make this business model unique and specific. Software testing research has focused more on technical issues, especially about how to model and specify good software testing and less about organizational issues. This research aims a conceptual model of organizational operations, able to reveal the uniqueness of business activity. The proposal was subjected to evaluation using a multiple case study involving six ETIS and also other Brazilian organizations as customers and software developers. The research revealed important business practices of ETIS, which have ensured the success of the enterprise and business profitability. It was highlight the following points: entrepreneurial and innovative business profile, high concern in service delivery as software product quality, establishment of a portfolio of diverse and substantive testing projects, factory and custom productive systems integration and increasing use of automation in testing processes. The experience of those who have used ETIS services has proven an effective increase in the level of software quality and software value chain has refined the ETIS selection criteria, requiring them high level of maturity.

This diploma thesis deals with the theme of Software as a Service (SaaS) model. Software as a Service is one of the main trends in ICT sector during the past few years. The aim of this diploma thesis is to introduce readers this model in its wide ranging consequences and to accomplish a comparison of selected applications from office suite in SaaS model with applications from office suite Microsoft Office. Diploma thesis can be divided into two parts - the first part focuses on the theoretical basis (chapters 2 - 5) and the second part focuses on practical part (chapter 6). The third chapter (the first and second chapters are introduction) describes Software as a Service model and provides answers to the most frequently asked questions that belong to this model. Chapter number four introduces other trends in ICT industry and seeks and finds synergies between SaaS model and those trends. The next chapter deals with the "Does IT Matter?" question and SaaS model. Practical part of diploma thesis (chapter number six) includes comparison of applications from office suite in SaaS model (Google Docs and Zoho Office Suite) with selected applications from office suite Microsoft Office. Pieces of information for creation of this thesis are public accessible resources and resources accessible from University of Economic in Prague. Web 2.0 tools can provide relevant information. This thesis can be useful as instructional material for students and for interested persons. It can be also useful as a source of arguments for persons with competence of choosing information systems.