Collaborative
Business Items (CoBIs) is an EC funded project which bridges the gap
between enterprise systems and networked embedded systems. Project
partners are: SAP, Infineon, BP, TecO, Lancaster University, University
of Twente and Ambient System. CoBIs
researches the integration of sensor networks in business processes.
Our approach is to cut-off certain parts of a business process and
move the execution of these parts directly on sensor networks.
Collaboration
among the sensor nodes enables the execution of complex tasks and
re-integrates the results in backend systems.
In TecO we are working on a service-oriented architecture and
implementation for sensor nodes. This approach results in an
overarching concept since CoBIs employs not only one platform but many
different. Apart from Particle Computer from TecO, the other platforms
are Infineon's Sindrion platform and Ambient Systems µNodes.
CoBIs can be applied in various scenarios. We especially investigate
safety scenarios from BP involving storage of chemicals and worker
safety. The approach can also be applied to electronic seals.
The following figures depicts an example of a CoBIs scenario. Chemical
drums are represented by dummies. The CoBIs nodes detect whether the
storage limit is exceeded or not. Hereby, no backend interaction is
necessary. The CoBIs nodes on the drum replacements execute business
logic and decide collaboratively about hazardous situation.
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Fig. Storage limit achieved (condition green) |
Fig. Storage limit exceeded (condition red) |
CoBIs relies heavily on collaborating sensor nodes. In general, the CoBIs nodes should fulfil the following requirements:
Sufficient computing power: To execute business logic on the items.
Wireless communication capabilities: Enables collaboration between business items, Bi-directional communication is required to organise distributed tasks.
Sensing capabilities: CoBIs
domains are safety and item-to-item proximity aware applications,
Business logic requires environmental data as input through sensing.
Remote update: Service deployment, i.e. moving business logic on the items
Update and service reorganisation.
Storage: For services, but also for intermediate results, sensor data, tracking data, Logging information for CoBIs management.
A possible
instance of a CoBIs node is the DigiClip. The following pictures depict
the technicals and architectural characteristic of this node.
Fig. CoBIs Node (DigiClip) - technical view (click to enlarge)
CoBIs demonstrators were successfully presented on SAPPHIRE 2005 in Copenhagen and Bosten and on DKOM 2005. The project was presented in detail in various SAP and BP magazines. CoBIs passed successfully the first review meeting March 2005.
