Abstract

Abstract
The increase in the complexity inherent to public administrative activities, including public procurement, has led ANO to develop a public e-procurement platform in order for Portuguese public entities to perform their contracts and acquisitions. Given the introduction of European PEPPOL standards and the requirement for all Portuguese e-procurement platforms to be WCAG 2.0 level A compliant, ANO company established a consortium with the UTAD University in order to improve their platform and develop the required features. By using a specially designed stage-based work methodology, the R&D project was carried out with success and all initial goals were achieved. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015.

Abstract

Abstract
The society and technologies evolution has resulted in a trend towards a growing amount of data stored by organizations and of the needs inherent to the analysis of that same data, in order to obtain information and knowledge generation. Based on this assumption it became critical to use new and more efficient technologies for processing that data in order to be able to get quality information in a timely manner. In order to meet the previously identified needs, various types of systems have emerged, whose features incorporate data processing functions and obtaining information for supporting decision-making processes. Examples of such systems are the DSS and the use of BI architectures. Given that currently many of the organizations services are supported by the existent IT infrastructure, it is necessary that these are suitable for the supporting the proper functioning of the available services. Assuming the previous concerns, the team inherent to this article assumed as very important to conceptualise a decision support system to address this adequate dimensioning of a University IT infrastructure. In order to achieve this goal, the Information and Communications Services (SIC) of the University of Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) were used. Through the implementation of this decision support system, the SIC/UTAD improved their ability to make more informed and conscious decisions, thus optimizing and control more effectively the UTAD IT infrastructure.

Abstract
The current operator displays of Distributed Control Systems (DCS) are designed for 2D environments. This limits the full awareness situation of the industrial process, since it is distributed across multiple operator displays and requires the operator to navigate among them. This inspired the idea of creating a single operator display. Through an accurate and systematic literature review and by following the guidelines of design science methodology, it was possible to achieve a set of indicators and artefacts that corresponded to the defined goals. By developing a 2.5D/3D DCS interface application, the authors aimed at creating a way of allowing a full view of the entire manufacturing process, thus increasing the amount and the quality of information that is given to the operator and preventing unnecessary operation navigation between displays.

Abstract
By understanding the need for a social, collaborative and participative learning process, an analysis to the existent learning and pedagogical models was made in order to identify the existence of a basis for the development of an e-learning course implemented over a social network site. As a complement, a systematic literature review on social media adoption and use was made, particularly focusing the adoption for educational purposes and aiming at achieving the set of variables which might impact the implementation of s-learning activities. The combination of these activities resulted in the presentation of a new learning assessment model designed to be applied over e-learning courses implemented on social media. With this in mind, a description on the referred assessment model is presented, thus considering the need for a comprehensive characterization of the inherent assessment process and inherent activities and technologies. Through the execution of the research and pedagogical activities performed in the scope of the present project it was also possible to acknowledge that learning activities performed over social networks sites are a solution for improving student's willingness and commitment towards studying and learning.