Informatica Economica Vol. 21 No. 2/2017

Issue Topic: Internet of Things (IoT)

CONTENTS

Upon a Home Assistant Solution Based on Raspberry Pi Platform
Alexandru Florentin IFTIMIE, Claudiu VINTE 5
Our ongoing research on Internet of Things (IoT) has been focused on a project aiming to creating a proof of concept for a distributed system capable of controlling common devices found in a house such as TVs, air conditioning units, and other electrical devices. In order to automate these devices, the system integrates various sensors and actuators and, depending of user’s needs and creativity in conceiving and implementing new commands, the system is able to take care and execute the respective commands in a safe and secure manner. This paper presents our current research results upon a personal home assistant solution designed and built around Raspberry Pi V3 platform. The distributed, client-server approach enables users to control home electric and electronic devices from an Android based mobile application.
Keywords: IoT, Home Automation, Java, Raspberry Pi, Arduino UNO


Wireless Home Automation System using IoT
Alexandra MIHALACHE 17
Nowadays, the chance of having an automated home is no longer a fancy luxury, but a reality accessible to a wide range of consumers, because smart home systems have replaced those that only automated the home in the past. More and more solutions based on IoT are being devel-oped to transform homes into smart ones, but the problem is that the benefits of home automa-tion are still not clear to everyone as they are not promoted enough, so we cannot talk about a broad mass of consumers already using integrated or DIY solutions to improve their lives. In this paper, I will present a home automation system using Arduino Uno integrated with rele-vant modules which are used to allow remote control of lights or fans, changes being made on the basis of different sensors data. The system is designed to be low cost and expandable, bring-ing accessibility, convenience and energy efficiency.
Keywords: Home automation, Arduino Uno, Appliances remote control, IoT


An IoT Project for Vital Signs Monitoring
Felician ALECU, Paul POCATILU, Sergiu CAPISIZU 33
Nowadays, the Internet of Things (IoT) projects are very popular and they are developed for numerous fields. In order to detect various medical problems on time, it is required to monitor the subjects either human or non-human. This could be used on regular or specific activities, like sport or work. It is necessary to determine the factors that could lead to medical problems. Another important aspect is to quantify the factors, to monitor them, to collect data and to make the proper interpretation. This could be achieved using dedicated sensors, controlled by an application embedded on a development board. When a dangerous value is reached, the system has to inform the subject (if human) or someone else (if non-human). This paper presents an Arduino based IoT project used for monitoring the vital signs for human and non-human and the results based on its usage. The paper details the hardware and software components of this project.
Keywords: IoT, Arduino-based development, Vital Signs, Sensors, Communication.

IoT Platforms: Analysis for Building Projects
Rusu Liviu DUMITRU 44
This paper presents a general survey of IoT platforms in terms of features for IoT project de-velopers. I will briefly summarize the state of knowledge in terms of technology regarding “In-ternet of Things” first steps in developing this technology, history, trends, sensors and micro-controllers used. I have evaluated a number of 5 IoT platforms in terms of the features needed to develop a IoT project. I have listed those components that are most appreciated by IoT pro-ject developers and the results have been highlighted in a comparative analysis of these plat-forms from the point of view of IoT project developers and which are strictly necessary as a de-velopment environment for an IoT project based. I’ve also considered the users' views of such platforms in terms of functionality, advantages, disadvantages and dangers presented by this technology.
Keywords: Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, Sensors, Microcontrollers, Wi-Fi Devices


Dual Applications for Metacognitive Development in Assisted Instruction
Gabriel ZAMFIR 54
The improvements in technological infrastructures define the background of our e-society while the developments in the cognitive infrastructure explain the foreground of it. The background and the foreground of the e-science determine the growths of the e-business and the quality of the e-education. E-education evolves as an engine for the cognitive infrastructure of the e-society and it works with information technology, which is a dynamic concept in time and in space. This paper highlights the importance of the account between theory and practice in scientific research in e-education, reviewing the e-society timeline using an educational perspective. It describes an updated knowledge framework for scientific research in e-education, developing directions for comprehension of different analytical frameworks. Within a case study, it presents an approach based on classes of applications focused on metacognitive development in assisted instruction.
Keywords: Information Technology, Scientific Research in e-Education, Classes of Learning Applications in e-Society, Meta-instruction in e-Education, Cognitive Development and Learning


Combining Cloud-based Workflow Management System with SOA and CEP to Create Agility in Collaborative Environment
Marian STOICA, Marinela MIRCEA, Bogdan GHILIC-MICU 68
In current economy, technological solutions like cloud computing, service-oriented architecture (SOA) and complex event processing (CEP) are recognized as modern approaches used for increasing the business agility and achieving innovation. The complexity of collaborative business environment raises more and more the need for performant workflow management systems (WfMS) that meet current requirements. Each approach has advantages, but also faces challenges. In this paper we propose a solution for integration of cloud computing with WfMS, SOA and CEP that allows these technologies to complete each other and bank on their benefits to increase agility and reduce the challenges/problems. The paper presents a short introduction in the subject, followed by an analysis of the combination between cloud computing and WfMS and the benefits of cloud based workflow management system. The paper ends with a solution for combining cloud WfMS with SOA and CEP in order to gain business agility and real time collaboration, followed by conclusions and research directions.
Keywords: Cloud Computing, Cloud Workflow Management System, Collaborative Workflow, Workflow-as-a-Service (WaaS), Service Oriented Workflow Management System


Adaptive UIX Layer for University Information SOA-BUS
Octavian DOSPINESCU, Catalin STRIMBEI, Roxana-Marina STRAINU, Alexandra NISTOR 80
The user interface (UI) layer is considered one of the key components of software applications since it connects their end-users to functionalities. Well-engineered and robust software applications could eventually fail to be adopted due to a weak UI layer. In the current market, when creating sites, UI designers have to determine how to plan the best interface according to the devices of the users, namely desktops, laptops, tablets or smartphones. Having this in mind, the current paper aims to present the adaptive UIX Layer for a University Information SOA-Bus (UISB) – a topic discussed in previous works [1], [2]. In this respect, we reviewed the literature on responsive and adaptive web design in order to identify the best front-end approach to the UISB. According to our findings, there is a strong debate in the academic field as well in the IT business in what concerns UI design. Recent interests have shown that the new trend in drafting the front-end layer is choosing between a responsive and an adaptive design. While arguments provided by both sides have failed to ease the decision makers’ choices on what type of design to choose, we aim to bring some light on the subject by proposing different layers for the UISB.
Keywords: SOA, User Interface, Responsive, Adaptive


Development of Agile Practices in Romanian Software Community
Eduard Nicolae BUDACU 92
Agile Software Development (ASD) promotes flexibility to change and emphasis the importance of individuals and interactions in producing software. The study presents the development of agile practices in Romanian software community. A literature review is conducted and the main agile methods are described. The characteristics of Romanian ICT sector is presented in relation with agile methodology. Practices are identified by a survey and an analysis on the groups of interests formed on Meetup website is performed. Future directions and development of agile practices is evaluated.
Keywords: Agile Practices, Software Development, Scrum, Kanban, Extreme Programming


Publishing Guide for Authors 103

INFOREC Association 105