ANALYSIS OF THE SELECTED SIMULATION SOFTWARE PACKAGES: A STUDY

The simulation software market is becoming more complex and universal. Computer simulations are thus more accessible and are becoming a modern tool that has a wide application in industry. Their potential and benefits can be used in small and large projects. A simulation model can take into account inventory, assembly, production and human resources, leading to decisions that can maintain or improve efficiency at the lowest possible cost. The data obtained through the simulation allow to test different combinations and scenarios in the virtual world. The benefits of manufacturing simulation include reducing investment risk, minimizing waste, improving efficiency, reducing energy consumption and even increasing worker health. The question arises as to which of the possible simulation packages is the most suitable for a given company, so that the investments made are the best possible. In the first part of the paper the theoretical basis of simulation in Industry 4.0 is presented, including the description of the possible simulation modelling tools. The second part of the paper offers comparative and descriptive analysis of six selected discrete-event simulation software packages – AnyLogic, Arena, FlexSim, SIMUL8, Tecnomatix Plant Simulation and WITNESS. The given simulation tools are compared based on their main characteristics, simulation features, application areas and popularity among the companies which use simulation software packages.

CREATIVITY IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

The aim of this paper is to briefly explore creative thinking in computer science, and compare it to natural sciences, mathematics or engineering. It is also meant as polemics with some theses of the pioneer work under the same title by Daniel Saunders and Paul Thagard because I point to important motivations in computer science the authors do not mention, and give examples of the origins of problems they explicitly deny. Computer science is a very specific field for it relates the abstract, theoretical discipline – mathematics, on the one hand, and engineering, often concerned with very practical tasks of building computers, on the other. It is like engineering in that it is concerned with solving practical problems or implementing solutions, often with strongly financial reasons, e.g. increasing a company’s income. It is like mathematics in that is deals with abstract symbols, logical relations, algorithms, computability problems, etc. Saunders and Thagard analyse rich experimental material from historical and contemporary work in computer science and argue that, as opposed to natural sciences, computer science is not concerned with describing and explaining natural phenomena. Now, I argue that there is a field of research in artificial intelligence (which, in turn, is a branch of computer science), called machine discovery, where explanation of natural phenomena, finding experimental laws and explanatory models is the primary goal. This goal is achieved by constructing computer systems whose job is to simulate various processes involved in scientific discovery done by human researchers, and help them in making new discoveries. On the other hand, motivations that give rise to ingenious projects in computer science can be very strange and include curiosity, fun or attempts to be famous out of boring, stable life of a successful programmer in a big corporation. A good example is the phenomenon of open-source software, especially the development of the Linux operating system and its applications when, from economical point of view, Microsoft absolutely dominated the software market of personal computers.

Web-service promotion of SaaS service for mining design

The market of software for automating the processes of mining enterprises is represented by foreign solutions, which increases the dependence of Kazakhstani enterprises on third-party developers. The marketing strategy for promoting the domestic software product focus on conquering the market segment and increasing competitiveness.The study aims to develop a marketing strategy for promoting the national cloud service “3D-quarry” as a SaaS, taking into account the modern development of Kazakhstan and the globalization of the world’s economy. When writing the matrix of strategic analysis, an analysis of pricing models was used. The possibility of using various measures to promote the service was assessed. A marketing strategy for promoting software for subsoil use is proposed, including tactics of online and offline marketing. The choice of a pricing model for a SaaS product for specialized universities and small design organizations is substantiated. Within the SaaS framework, a set of indicators for evaluating the effectiveness of a marketing strategy is proposed. A comparative analysis of the payback period of the project when using different tariff plans is carried out. Planning horizon – 3 years, planned market share – 5%, conversion rate – 1%, expected payback period – 4.4 years.The developed pricing policy allows obtaining competitive advantages in comparison with the main representatives of the software market: in the segment of small design organizations – at the expense of an acceptable price, in the segment of educational institutions – at the expense of the freemium pricing model. Acknowledgment The study was carried out within the framework of the grant of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the topic IRN AP09561619 “Development of the core of the web service “3D-quarry”.

Risk-benefit evaluation of established messenger apps for clinical practice - is secure communication via smartphone possible? (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The establishment of smartphones as the most important communication medium of the 21st century has led to usage of mobile messenger services also in the medical context. However, the use of the most commonly used smartphone-app WhatsApp in a medical treatment context represents an incalculable risk from a legal point of view (data protection) and can ultimately lead to a violation of medical confidentiality with potential legal consequences. OBJECTIVE Therefore, this study aimed to assess which alternatives in terms of messenger applications exist for secure communication of patient-related data. METHODS A systematic literature and online “Appstore” search was conducted to identify secure messenger services. These had to comply with currently valid technical and legal formal specifications in terms of data security as well as to provide similar usability and functions as WhatsApp. RESULTS A total of 13 messenger apps were identified. However, only 5 apps (Famedly, JOIN, Siilo, Threema and Trustner) met the formal requirements as a secure communication medium. JOIN is the only service which has been approved by the FDA and is classified as a medical device. CONCLUSIONS The current practice of rather random and unstructured use of messenger apps in everyday hospital life should be a thing of the past. From today's perspective, the apps Famedly, JOIN, Siilo, Threema and Trustner are recommended. They have considerable advantages over the apps used in everyday clinical practice today (like e.g., WhatsApp). The rapid developments on the software market will certainly drive further developments, so that the recommendation formulated here is only a snapshot.

Company Overview for 2017-2021: Apple vs Microsoft

The paper is devoted to company analysis and company stock trend analysis for two giants in electronics hardware and software market: Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corp. All data was derived from the companies’ annual reports and some other referenced websites. Analysis has been plotted using Python including and excluding the most recent year due to data availability.

Development of an algorithm of implementation of programs of repair of steam boilers and turbines of TPPs based on technical condition of power equipment

Deterioration and aging of the technical fleet of thermal power facilities lead to an unpredictable shutdowns of power equipment. Therefore, it is necessary to create a special approach in maintenance and repair programs, taking into account the possibility of predicting the moment of onset of the defect, its development, as well as the time of possible equipment failure. The equipment maintenance system used at the enterprises is based on the collection of retrospective data on defects and failures on the main and auxiliary equipment of the TPP and summarizing statistics on identical or similar equipment samples. Analysis of domestic and foreign methods of maintenance and organization of repair, as well as possibility of their application in modern power engineering is given. In order to create an efficient production asset management system, which addresses the problem of finding a balance between the potential risk of losses associated with both the operation of equipment and the cost of correcting defects, new class systems are now used in the software market, which carry out equipment maintenance based on the forecast. In order to optimize the equipment maintenance system and ensure uninterrupted and reliable operation of the equipment at minimum operating costs, as well as to reduce equipment downtime, unscheduled and emergency operations, it is advisable to use a modern approach to manage both reliability and risk, as well as the cost of asset ownership. This will enable to control the economic efficiency of the use of production assets. The necessity of creation of an algorithm of implementation of repair programs of power equipment base on technical condition for its use in digital power systems is shown. An algorithm is proposed for implementing the repair program of power units of electric power plants, including steam boilers and turbines of thermal power plants, differing by taking into account the technical condition of power equipment, which allows recognizing the defect that has appeared, determining the cause of its occurrence, its evolution and the duration of possible equipment failure. In the developed repair maintenance algorithm, it is proposed to make a transition from statistical empirical assessments of the technical condition of the equipment to objective estimates obtained on the basis of automated technical diagnostics systems and predictive analysis of situations.

Microsoft hack will widen US-China rifts on cyber

Significance Microsoft attributed the first hack exploiting these flaws to a Chinese state-sponsored group. These flaws were subsequently leaked online, and organisations that have failed to install software patches continue to be targeted. Over 30,000 systems have already been compromised in the United States alone, further straining US-China ties. Impacts The ubiquity of US technology will make vulnerabilities in US software a wider cybersecurity risk. Developing indigenous IT software and hardware will be unfeasible for most countries as rifts over 5G have exposed. Although tarnished, Microsoft will benefit from having few competitors in the business and domestic use software market.