@conference {Bocciarelli2014278, title = {Empowering business process simulation through automated model transformations}, booktitle = {Simulation Series}, volume = {46}, number = {4}, year = {2014}, note = {cited By 2}, pages = {278-286}, publisher = {The Society for Modeling and Simulation International}, organization = {The Society for Modeling and Simulation International}, abstract = {Simulation is one of the most relevant techniques that can be used in the business process management domain to effectively enact a continuous enhancement of business processes (BPs). However, the effectiveness of BP simulation is still limited for several reasons (e.g., lack of simulation know-how of BP analysts, simulation model parameters hard to determine, semantic gap between the business process model and the simulation model). To overcome these limitations, this paper proposes a model-driven method that introduces a set of model transformations to automate the generation of executable simulation code of a BP from its abstract definition in BPMN, the standard language for specifying business processes. The simulation code is specified in eBPMN, a Java-based domain-specific language that has been designed and implemented according to the BPMN execution semantics.}, keywords = {Administrative data processing, BPM, BPMN, Computer simulation, Computer simulation languages, EBPMN, Enterprise resource management, Mathematical models, MDA, Model transformation, Problem oriented languages, Semantics, Software architecture, Technology transfer}, isbn = {9781632662156}, issn = {07359276}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84901985241\&partnerID=40\&md5=ebb5d7bb28209e8901e06a4b70f40735}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Giglio, A. and Paglia, E. and Gianni, D.} } @conference {Bocciarelli2014325, title = {A language for enabling model-driven analysis of business processes}, booktitle = {MODELSWARD 2014 - Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Model-Driven Engineering and Software Development}, year = {2014}, note = {cited By 5}, pages = {325-332}, publisher = {SciTePress}, organization = {SciTePress}, abstract = {
The use of simulation-based approaches for the analysis of business processes enables the design-time prediction of the process behavior and/or the operation-time process reconfiguration. However, the effectiveness of BP simulation is still limited for several reasons (e.g., lack of simulation know-how of BP analysts, simulation model parameters that can be hard to gather, large semantic gap between the business process model and the simulation model). To overcome such limitations, this paper introduces a modeldriven method to automatically build the executable simulation code of a business process from its abstract definition in BPMN, the standard language for specifying business processes. The simulation code is specified in eBPMN, a novel domain-specific language that has been designed and implemented according to the BPMN execution semantics. Copyright {\textcopyright} 2014 SCITEPRESS - Science and Technology Publications. All rights reserved.
}, keywords = {BPMN, Business Process, Computer simulation, Computer simulation languages, Domain specific languages, Model transformation, Performance, Problem oriented languages, Semantics, Simulation, Software design, Technology transfer}, isbn = {9789897580079}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84906910126\&partnerID=40\&md5=d8853e490341214705bedcb2f8ce2260}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Paglia, E.} } @conference {Gianni2014201, title = {Temporal capabilities in support of conceptual process modeling using object- Role modeling (work in progress)}, booktitle = {Simulation Series}, volume = {46}, number = {4}, year = {2014}, note = {cited By 1}, pages = {201-206}, publisher = {The Society for Modeling and Simulation International}, organization = {The Society for Modeling and Simulation International}, abstract = {Conceptual data modeling languages must be provided with temporal capabilities to support the data evolution throughout the execution of a conceptual process model. Asides from supporting the storage of historical data, temporal capabilities must also provide the means for verifying the consistency between the data temporal properties and the data modification resulting from the process execution. The Object-Role Modeling (ORM) language is a conceptual data modeling language that is based on the concepts of Fact (i.e. true statements on the represented world), Fact Type, and Fact Base (i.e. the set of all the Facts). Currently, the ORM language does not address the specification of Facts temporal properties, and therefore does not also support the verification of Facts variations during a process execution. The paper introduces an initial ORM overlay methodology that aims to laying the foundation of the conceptual modeling structures that can support the verification of temporal evolution of conceptual data models (i.e., whether a Fact can be asserted or retracted, depending on its temporal properties). Moreover, the overlay methodology also defines a temporal visual notation and an initial semi-formal temporal verbalization that eases the use of the methodology to the ORM modelers. A simple example illustrates the potential application of the overlay methodology.}, keywords = {Computer simulation, Conceptual data modeling, Conceptual data models, Data modification, Digital storage, Object-role modeling, Process engineering, Process execution, Process Modeling, Temporal evolution, Temporal modeling}, isbn = {9781632662156}, issn = {07359276}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84901987698\&partnerID=40\&md5=db5df894ce84d4770a6c882cac28c018}, author = {Gianni, D. and Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {Bocciarelli2013218, title = {4SEE: A model-driven simulation engineering framework for business process analysis in a SaaS paradigm}, booktitle = {Simulation Series}, volume = {45}, number = {4}, year = {2013}, note = {cited By 1}, pages = {218-225}, abstract = {The intrinsic geographical distribution and the increasing complexity are two significant properties of modern business processes (BPs) that have not been fully addressed by existing simulation tools for BP analysis. Quantitative analysis of BPs is essential both at design time, to predict the BP quality of service (QoS), and at execution time, to dynamically reconfigure the BP and guarantee the pre-agreed QoS. In this respect, this work proposes a model-driven QoS-aware framework for simulation-based quantitative analysis of BPs. Specifically, the framework adopts a distributed simulation approach that replicates the service-oriented infrastructure of a BP into the corresponding simulation infrastructure based on the HLA-Evolved standard. The proposed framework assumes a scenario in which service providers publish a set of simulation-oriented services that can be subsequently used by interested consumers to dynamically discover and evaluate the QoS of the offered services. Key to the economical feasibility of this scenario is that a model-driven approach is used to automate the derivation of the simulation software from the BPMN (Business Process Model \& Notation) models of the actual BPs. The paper presents both the proposed model-driven framework, named 4SEE, and an example application to a BP for an e-commerce scenario.}, keywords = {Business process analysis, Business process model, Computer simulation, Computer software, Distributed simulations, Economical feasibility, Model driven approach, Quality of service, Service-oriented infrastructures, Simulation engineering, Simulation software}, isbn = {9781627480321}, issn = {07359276}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84876848381\&partnerID=40\&md5=735bc33d9335c85e8f26a7d6dfe860c8}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Gianni, D.} } @conference {Gianni2012211, title = {3rd IEEE track on collaborative modeling and simulation: (CoMetS 2012)}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the Workshop on Enabling Technologies: Infrastructure for Collaborative Enterprises, WETICE}, year = {2012}, note = {cited By 0}, pages = {211-213}, abstract = {The track aims to bring together leading researchers and practitioners from the modeling and simulation (M\&S) and the collaborative environments communities. The track aims to gather innovative research contributions on the use of collaborative technologies to support M\&S activities and on the use of M\&S practices to support the design of collaborative environment. The workshop is inherently multi-disciplinary and aims also to cross-fertilize practices and methods across audience from diverse research domains and communities. This paper reports on the motivations of the track, a brief history and the organization of its third edition. {\textcopyright} 2012 IEEE.}, keywords = {Collaborative environments, Collaborative modeling, Collaborative technologies, Computer simulation, Innovative research, Modeling and simulation, Multi-disciplinary, Research, Research domains}, isbn = {9780769547176}, issn = {15244547}, doi = {10.1109/WETICE.2012.110}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84866914528\&partnerID=40\&md5=3992e194a9d86d7cd60158ed97495e2f}, author = {Gianni, D. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Fuchs, J. and Iazeolla, G.} } @conference {Bocciarelli2012266, title = {Automated performance analysis of business processes}, booktitle = {Simulation Series}, volume = {44}, number = {4 BOOK}, year = {2012}, note = {cited By 7}, pages = {266-274}, abstract = {Business processes (BPs) can be seen as flows of tasks that are orchestrated to accomplish well-defined goals. The ability to predict at design time the BP behavior assumes a strategic relevance, both to early assess whether or not the business goals are achieved and to gain a competitive advantage. This paper focuses on the performance prediction of BPs. Specifically, this work introduces a model-driven method that, starting from a performance-enabled description of a BP, first derives a BP performance model of EQN (Extended Queueing Network) type, and then generates and executes the EQN model implementation, thus enacting a fully automated analysis of the business process behavior. The performance model implementation is carried out by use of jEQN, a java-based domain specific language for specifying and executing EQN models. The paper also describes how the proposed model-driven method has been effectively implemented.}, keywords = {BPMN, Business Process, Competition, Computer simulation, EQN, Java programming language, jEQN, MDA, Performance, Software architecture}, isbn = {9781618397867}, issn = {07359276}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84876469347\&partnerID=40\&md5=1912c0d789945a9c91c8ebe913ccaddf}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {Gianni2012310, title = {BOM2UML: Integrating BOM specifications into UML-based development environments}, booktitle = {Simulation Series}, volume = {44}, number = {4 BOOK}, year = {2012}, note = {cited By 0}, pages = {310-317}, abstract = {Base Object Model (BOM) is a standard to define conceptual models that can be reused for the development or the extension of simulation systems based on the IEEE High Level Architecture (HLA). However, BOM specifications suffer from interoperability issues as they cannot be automatically imported into model-driven simulation engineering environments based on UML and related standards. In this paper, we overcome this limitation by introducing BOM2UML, a model transformation to derive standard UML models from a BOM specification. We provide both a conceptual description of the transformation rules and the details of their implementation in ATL, the Atlas Transformation Language. We also show a preliminary output of the proposed transformation, applied to a set of BOM specifications of a simplified military application.}, keywords = {BOM, Computer simulation, HLA, Mathematical models, Model driven development, Model transformation, Specifications, Standards, UML, Unified Modeling Language}, isbn = {9781618397867}, issn = {07359276}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84876472367\&partnerID=40\&md5=60c7fa8c563ba58f48e298b7cc8fb1a1}, author = {Gianni, D. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Grasso, M.} } @conference {Bocciarelli201249, title = {A model-driven approach to build HLA-based distributed simulations from SysML models}, booktitle = {SIMULTECH 2012 - Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications}, year = {2012}, note = {cited By 6}, pages = {49-60}, abstract = {The analysis and design of complex systems, which very often are composed of several sub-systems, takes advantages by the use of distributed simulation techniques. Unfortunately, the development of distributed simulation systems requires a significant expertise and a considerable effort for the inherent complexity of available standards, such as HLA. This paper introduces a model-driven approach to support the automated generation of HLA-based distributed simulations starting from system descriptions specified by use of SysML (Systems Modeling Language), the UML-based general purpose modeling language for systems engineering. The proposed approach is founded on the use of model transformation techniques and relies on standards introduced by the Model Driven Architecture (MDA). The method exploits several UML models that embody the details required to support two transformations that automatically map the source SysML model into a HLA-specific model and then use the latter to generate the Java/HLA source code. To this purpose, this paper also introduces two UML profiles, used to annotate UML diagrams in order both to represent HLA-based details and to support the automated generation of the HLA-based simulation code.}, keywords = {Computer simulation, HLA, Model-driven, QVT, Simulation, Software architecture, SysML, Unified Modeling Language}, isbn = {9789898565204}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84867729868\&partnerID=40\&md5=fafd37b90daa458cc5075061c63c5357}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Fabiani, G.} } @conference {Bocciarelli2012, title = {A model-driven method for building distributed simulation systems from business process models}, booktitle = {Proceedings - Winter Simulation Conference}, year = {2012}, note = {cited By 6}, abstract = {The analysis of modern business processes implemented as orchestration of software services demands for new approaches that explicitly take into account the inherent complexity and distribution characteristics of such processes. In this respect, Distributed Simulation (DS) offers a viable tool to cope with such a demand, due to the aggregation, scalability, representativeness and load balancing properties that it allows to achieve. However, the use of DS is mostly limited by the specialized technical know-how and the extra-development that DS requires with respect to approaches based on conventional local simulation. This paper proposes a model-driven method that enables the DS-based analysis of business processes by introducing the automated transformation of business process models into analysis models that are specified as Extended Queueing Network (EQN) models and executed as distributed simulations. The paper also presents an example application to a business process for an e-commerce scenario. {\textcopyright} 2012 IEEE.}, keywords = {Analysis models, Automated transformations, Business Process, Business process model, Computer simulation, Distributed computer systems, Distributed simulation systems, Distributed simulations, Distribution characteristics, Inherent complexity, Load balancing properties, Model-driven method, New approaches, Software services, Technical know hows, Technology transfer}, isbn = {9781467347792}, issn = {08917736}, doi = {10.1109/WSC.2012.6465106}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84874755866\&partnerID=40\&md5=8d358a15fcb545b3725d825b701fc795}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Pieroni, A. and Gianni, D. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {Gianni2012, title = {Model-driven performance prediction of HLA-based distributed simulation systems}, booktitle = {Proceedings - Winter Simulation Conference}, year = {2012}, note = {cited By 3}, abstract = {Performance models offer a convenient tool to assess design alternatives and predict the execution time of distributed simulation (DS) systems at design time, before system implementation. Currently, performance models are to be manually developed and the related extra effort often becomes the limiting factor for their cost- and time-effective use. In this paper, we aim to reduce this extra effort with the introduction of a model-driven method for the automated building of performance models whose evaluation provides a prediction about of the execution time of a distributed simulation system. As such, the method contributes to bring software performance engineering techniques into the distributed simulation system lifecycle. In particular, we show how the SysML-based specification of the system to be simulated and the design documents of the DS system can be used to derive the topology and the parameters of a performance model specified according to the Extended Queueing Network formalism. {\textcopyright} 2012 IEEE.}, keywords = {Automated buildings, Computer simulation, Design, Design alternatives, Design documents, Design time, Distributed computer systems, Distributed simulation systems, Distributed simulations, Execution time, Forecasting, Model-driven, Model-driven method, Performance Model, Performance prediction, Software performance engineerings, System implementation, Topology}, isbn = {9781467347792}, issn = {08917736}, doi = {10.1109/WSC.2012.6465255}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84874698997\&partnerID=40\&md5=a02b093d52a8995b3774ab0d2df86fb2}, author = {Gianni, D. and Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {Bocciarelli2011160, title = {A BPMN extension for modeling non functional properties of business processes}, booktitle = {Simulation Series}, volume = {43}, number = {1 BOOK 4}, year = {2011}, note = {cited By 27}, pages = {160-168}, abstract = {Business Process Management (BPM) is an holistic approach for describing, analyzing, executing, managing and improving large enterprise business processes, which can be seen as collections of related tasks executed to accomplish well-defined goals. This paper introduces a notation for the description of a business process in terms of both functional and non-functional properties, specifically addressing the performance and reliability characterization of a business process. In the BPM context, the Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) is the de-facto standard for the high-level description of business processes. Unfortunately BPMN does not support the characterization of the business process in terms of non-functional properties such as performance and reliability. To overcome such limitation, this paper introduces PyBPMN (Performability-enabled BPMN), a lightweight BPMN extension for the specification of properties that address both performance and reliability. The proposed extension is based on an approach that exploits principles and standards introduced by the Model Driven Architecture (MDA), thus obtaining significant advantages in terms of easy customization and improved automation. The paper also presents an example application of the proposed extension to show how it enables the automated transformation of a business process model into a parameterized performance model whose execution gives insights about the process behavior.}, keywords = {Administrative data processing, BPMN, Business Process, Business process management, Business process model, Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN), Computer simulation, Enterprise resource management, MDA, Model driven architectures, Performance and reliabilities, Reliability, Software architecture, Systems engineering}, isbn = {9781617828386}, issn = {07359276}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84887029950\&partnerID=40\&md5=286bf26106c501019949590c37d312e2}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {Gianni2011162, title = {IEEE 2nd track on collaborative modeling and simulation (CoMetS 2011)}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2011 20th IEEE International Workshops on Enabling Technologies: Infrastructure for Collaborative Enterprises, WETICE 2011}, year = {2011}, note = {cited By 1}, pages = {162-163}, abstract = {The track aims to bring together leading researchers and practitioners from the modeling and simulation (M\&S) and the collaborative environments communities. The workshop aims to gather innovative research contributions on the use of collaborative technologies to support M\&S activities and on the use of M\&S practices to support the design of collaborative environment. The workshop is inherently multi-disciplinary and aims also to cross-fertilize ongoing practices across audience from diverse research domains and communities. This paper reports on the motivations of the track and the organization of its first edition. {\textcopyright} 2011 IEEE.}, keywords = {Collaborative environments, Collaborative modeling, Collaborative technologies, Computer simulation, Innovation, Innovative research, Modeling and simulation, Multi-disciplinary, Research, Research domains}, isbn = {9780769544106}, doi = {10.1109/WETICE.2011.67}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80052645765\&partnerID=40\&md5=8bdec926566e78c034eddbe4b87572df}, author = {Gianni, D. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Fuchs, J. and Iazeolla, G.} } @conference {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2011155, title = {A model transformation approach for the development of HLA-based distributed simulation systems}, booktitle = {SIMULTECH 2011 - Proceedings of 1st International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications}, year = {2011}, note = {cited By 3}, pages = {155-160}, abstract = {The development of HLA-based distributed simulation systems requires a significant expertise and a considerable effort for the inherent complexity of the HLA standard. This paper introduces an automated approach for the development of HLA-based simulation systems of higher quality at largely reduced time, effort and cost. The proposed approach is founded on the use of model transformation techniques and relies on standards introduced by the Model Driven Architecture (MDA). The proposed approach takes as input a UML model of the system to be simulated and yields as output both an intermediate UML model and the final code of the HLA-based distributed simulation system.}, keywords = {Computer simulation, Distributed computer systems, Distributed simulation systems, High level architecture, HLA, MDA, Model driven development, Model transformation, Software architecture, Standardization, Unified Modeling Language}, isbn = {9789898425782}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80052596859\&partnerID=40\&md5=97f5284df768d7865992d397a976c663}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Iazeolla, G. and Pieroni, A. and Gianni, D.} } @article {Gianni2011819, title = {A software architecture to ease the development of distributed simulation systems}, journal = {SIMULATION}, volume = {87}, number = {9}, year = {2011}, note = {cited By 13}, pages = {819-836}, abstract = {The simulation of modern systems may require an amount of computational resources that might not be available on a single host. Distributed simulation (DS) provides an effective way to scale up for the increased computational requirements. However, using existing DS environments remains the main obstacle to the wide adoption of DS systems, because of their inherent complexity. This complexity can be quantitatively shown by the extra effort that the development of DS systems requires compared to the development of conventional local simulation (LS) systems. In this paper we introduce SimArch, a layered architecture that eases the development of DS systems by enabling simulation developers to effortlessly obtain a DS system or derive a DS system from the equivalent LS one. A reference model is used throughout the paper to illustrate the use of SimArch in the development of DS systems and to prove how the DS development effort is lowered down with respect to the use of a conventional DS environment. {\textcopyright} 2011, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.}, keywords = {Computer simulation, Computer simulation languages, Computer software, development effort, Distributed computer systems, distributed simulation, Distributed simulation environments, High level architecture, Layered architecture, Simulation language, Software architecture}, issn = {00375497}, doi = {10.1177/0037549711400777}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80052372123\&partnerID=40\&md5=8073e46ed4ea01775fd920be558f394c}, author = {Gianni, D. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Iazeolla, G.} } @conference {Iazeolla201036, title = {A distributed approach to the simulation of inherently distributed systems}, booktitle = {Simulation Series}, volume = {42}, number = {1 BOOK 4}, year = {2010}, note = {cited By 0}, pages = {36-45}, abstract = {Inherently distributed systems are systems that are distributed by their own nature; in other words, they are composed of subsystems, which are physically and geographically separated. Examples of such systems are the distributed computer systems with various hosts geographically located; the wireless systems with a number of base and subscriber stations geographically separated; the satellite constellations, the military battlefields and so on. Such systems have, in many cases, been studied by use of Local Simulation (LS), in other words, a simulation run by a single host, or by use of Distributed Simulation (DS) in which the simulation system is divided into a number of federates, run by separate hosts for the scope of obtaining resource scalability and simulator reusability. In this paper, the DS approach is seen from a different point of view: a way to give higher representativeness to the simulation of inherently distributed systems. The approach consists of locating the federates in the same geographic positions of the subsystems that are designed to become part of the inherently distributed system. In this way, the distributed system can be studied in a very realistic way before being implemented. In this paper the problems and the advantages of this new DS approach are discussed and the technology is presented that supports and facilitates its introduction.}, keywords = {Computer simulation, Distributed approaches, Distributed simulations, HLA, Military battlefields, Reusability, Satellite constellations, Separation, Simulation in-the-loop, Simulation representativeness, Subscriber stations}, isbn = {9781617382048}, issn = {07359276}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84887064085\&partnerID=40\&md5=08dc921115e86c196b23a970cead2f1d}, author = {Iazeolla, G. and Pieroni, A. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Gianni, D.} } @conference {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2010122, title = {IEEE First Workshop on Collaborative Modeling and Simulation (CoMetS 2010)}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the Workshop on Enabling Technologies: Infrastructure for Collaborative Enterprises, WETICE}, year = {2010}, note = {cited By 1}, pages = {122-123}, abstract = {The CoMetS workshop aims to bring together leading researchers and practitioners from both the modeling and simulation (M\&S) community and the collaborative environments community, in order to focus on innovative research contributions that address both the use of collaborative technologies in the field of M\&S and the use of M\&S methodologies and tools to address the design of collaborative systems. This paper reports on the motivations of the workshop and the organization of its first edition. {\textcopyright} 2010 IEEE.}, keywords = {Collaborative environments, Collaborative modeling, Collaborative systems, Collaborative technologies, Computer simulation, Computer supported cooperative work, Innovation, Innovative research, Modeling and simulation, Technical presentations}, isbn = {9780769540634}, issn = {15244547}, doi = {10.1109/WETICE.2010.25}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77955896065\&partnerID=40\&md5=6be06dc91c58926a54face050988522b}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Gianni, D. and Fuchs, J. and Iazeolla, G.} } @conference {Gianni201031, title = {A methodology to predict the performance of distributed simulations}, booktitle = {Proceedings - Workshop on Principles of Advanced and Distributed Simulation, PADS}, year = {2010}, note = {cited By 5}, pages = {31-39}, abstract = {Predicting the time-performance of a Distributed Simulation (DS) system may be of interest to evaluate system alternatives during the development cycle, before the system is implemented. In this paper, we introduce a methodology to predict the execution time of a DS system during its design phase. The methodology is based on a model-building approach that, basing on the design documents of the DS system, first produces its performance model and then evaluates it. The model includes components such as middleware to use (e.g., the HLA RTI), the set of DS execution hosts and the set of host interconnection networks. The methodology is applied to determine whether or not producing the distributed simulator of a given system may be advantageous in terms of execution time with respect to a conventional local simulator. An example use of the methodology is presented and validated by a comparison of the time-prediction with the actual execution time of the implemented DS system. {\textcopyright} 2010 IEEE.}, keywords = {Building performance, Computer simulation, Design documents, Design phase, Development cycle, Distributed simulations, Execution time, Forecasting, Middleware, Model buildings, Performance Model, Simulation model}, isbn = {9781424472918}, doi = {10.1109/PADS.2010.5471669}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77954092922\&partnerID=40\&md5=2d68a6f0b45ad790df832f3da1a2ad43}, author = {Gianni, D. and Iazeolla, G. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @article {Gianni200967, title = {Ontology-based specification of simulation sequences}, journal = {International Journal of Simulation: Systems, Science and Technology}, volume = {10}, number = {2}, year = {2009}, note = {cited By 5}, pages = {67-78}, abstract = {The specification of a simulation model includes the description of the input sequences while the simulation output can be described by the produced sequences. The input sequences describe the characteristics of the simulated scenarios and are to be chosen in a way to preserve the real system representativeness; while the output sequences can be used as a proof of such representativeness. Producing the appropriate input sequences and validating the output sequences against the model specification is therefore fundamental to the validation of the simulation model. In this paper, we propose an ontology-based specification of simulation input sequences. The ontology gives a methodology to formalize the sequence specification and output sequence validation by providing the semantic basis for the sequences formal description. In the model specification, the input sequences are described in terms of ontology concepts and properties values, and in the model implementation the deployed sequences can be thus automatically derived by mapping them on the ontology concepts. Sequence validation may be carried out by establishing the congruence between the ontology concepts and the deployed sequences.}, keywords = {Computer simulation, Formal Description, Input sequence, Model implementation, Model specification, Model specifications, Ontology, Ontology concepts, Ontology-based, Output sequences, Real systems, Semantics, Simulation model, Specifications}, issn = {14738031}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-78650605223\&partnerID=40\&md5=cbdaef9e43630d47be542c7b08e0d72f}, author = {Gianni, D. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Iazeolla, G.} } @conference {Gianni2008118, title = {A domain specific language for the definition of extended queueing network models}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the IASTED International Conference on Software Engineering, SE 2008}, year = {2008}, note = {cited By 7}, pages = {118-124}, abstract = {The use of design patterns and modular decomposition for the development of component-based software products brings significant improvements in terms of several quality attributes (e.g., reusability, reliability, maintainability). In addition, the modular design of interacting software components allows the foundation of a flexible Domain Specific Language (DSL) that acts as a model description language rather than a coding language, bringing significant savings in terms of development effort. This is particularly true in the field of simulation, in which the use of a common language both to represent and to simulate a given simulation model practically eliminates the need and the effort to fill the gap between the model specification and the simulator implementation. This paper introduces the design features of jEQN, a language for the specification and implementation of simulation models based on extended queueing networks. Details concerning the application of design patterns, modular decomposition and generic type parameters are also presented.}, keywords = {Coding languages, Common languages, Component-based softwares, Computer simulation, Computer simulation languages, Computer software reusability, Design, Design features, Design patterns, Domain-specific languages, DSL, EQN, Generic types, Interacting softwares, Java, Java programming language, Linguistics, Maintainability, Model description languages, Model specifications, Model-driven design, Modems, Modular decompositions, Modular designs, Quality attributes, Queueing network models, Queueing networks, Reusability, Simulation, Simulation models, Software engineering, Software reliability, Specifications, Spontaneous emission, Systems analysis, Telecommunication lines}, isbn = {9780889867154}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-58049139201\&partnerID=40\&md5=0ba8c0ea76e037065fe93e4f9456b413}, author = {Gianni, D. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @article {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2007605, title = {A method for the production of simulation models with application to web interaction paradigms}, journal = {Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory}, volume = {15}, number = {5}, year = {2007}, note = {cited By 2}, pages = {605-620}, abstract = {Modern internet and web applications rely on interactions among remote host computers connected by heterogeneous networks (different LANs, gateways, WANs, MANs, etc.). Simulation modelling such networks is of great importance to the web application designer to predict, at design time, performance metrics such as the end-to-end delay between hosts, which is dramatically increased by the various mechanisms necessary to deal with heterogeneity (protocol conversion, packet fragmentation and re-assembly, flow control, etc.). On the other hand, producing a simulation model of web interactions is a non-trivial task because of the great importance of the software aspects. It is thus necessary to provide general model production guidelines which can be then tailored and applied to specific simulation languages or packages. This paper gives such general production guidelines with an example application to the production of simulation models for web interaction paradigms of client-server and mobile agent types. An example use of the models is also introduced to predict the most convenient paradigm and the best choice of the host capacities for each given network configuration. {\textcopyright} 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}, keywords = {Client-server, Computer simulation, Interaction paradigms, Internet, Mathematical models, Mobile agents, Network protocols, Object oriented programming, Object-oriented simulation, Servers, Simulation model production, Web applications}, issn = {1569190X}, doi = {10.1016/j.simpat.2004.06.009}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-34147118556\&partnerID=40\&md5=0f9139beebc9c61d01f2520a10350922}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Iazeolla, G. and Pasini, L.} } @article {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2006854, title = {JEQN a java-based language for the distributed simulation of queueing networks}, journal = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)}, volume = {4263 LNCS}, year = {2006}, note = {cited By 10}, pages = {854-865}, publisher = {Springer Verlag}, abstract = {The increasing pervasiveness of large scale networks is bringing distributed simulation (DS) to the reach of academic and business communities besides the traditional military ones. This gives academics and industry the advantage of using larger execution platforms and of reusing locally implemented simulation models as building blocks of much larger models. Developing a distributed simulator however requires learning how to use a given DS standard (such as HLA), that implies a non-negligible amount of effort. This paper addresses the problem of defining a language that can equivalently support the development of local or distributed simulators, making the use of the DS standard transparent. The HLA standard is dealt with, but the method can be extended to any other DS standard. The language (called JEQN) addresses the extended queueing network (EQN) domain, and thus it also includes primitives to facilitate the development of queueing network distributed simulators. {\textcopyright} Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.}, keywords = {Computer simulation, Distributed computer systems, Distributed simulation (DS), Extended queueing network (EQN), Java programming language, Mathematical models, Problem solving, Queueing networks}, isbn = {3540472428; 9783540472421}, issn = {03029743}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33845266519\&partnerID=40\&md5=0bd7180b65ff7614c02cf24a74b70473}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Gianni, D. and Iazeolla, G.} } @article {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2006121, title = {Soon: A tool for software performance validation}, journal = {International Journal of Modelling and Simulation}, volume = {26}, number = {2}, year = {2006}, note = {cited By 4}, pages = {121-128}, abstract = {The automatic derivation of software performance models from CASE documents is a necessary step towards lifecycle validation of the performance of software products (or prediction of the product ability to satisfy the user performance requirements). This paper illustrates SOON (SOftware performance validatiON), a tool that implements a method for the automatic derivation of a software performance model from UML-based documents. The tool also includes a model evaluation facility. SOON allows software designers to overcome the difficulties often encountered when they lack specific knowledge of performance theory, allowing one to predict at design time the performance of various product alternatives. SOON is designed and implemented by use of standards for document exchange (XMI) and for application interoperability (CORBA), so that it can be easily linked or embedded into UML-based CASE environments.}, keywords = {CASE documents, Codes (standards), Computer programming languages, Computer simulation, Computer software selection and evaluation, Embedded systems, Interoperability, Lifecycle validation, Performance tools, Software engineering, Software performance, SOftware performance validatiON (SOON)}, issn = {02286203}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33745447390\&partnerID=40\&md5=8e384a01572372537f850b69e9e0c6d4}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @article {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2005127, title = {Metadata-driven design of integrated environments for software performance validation}, journal = {Journal of Systems and Software}, volume = {76}, number = {2}, year = {2005}, note = {cited By 5}, pages = {127-146}, abstract = {Lifecycle validation of the performance of software products (i.e., the prediction of the product ability to satisfy the user performance requirements) encompasses the production of performance models from CASE documents. The model production activity is a critical, time-consuming and error-prone activity so that lifecycle validation is still not widely accepted and applied. The reason is twofold: the lack of methods for the automatic derivation of software performance models from CASE documents and the lack of environments that implement and integrate such methods. A number of methods for the automatic derivation of software performance models from CASE documents has been already proposed in literature, without however solving the automation problem. This paper instead faces up to such problem, by introducing an integrated and standards-based environment for the automatic derivation and evaluation of queueing-based performance models. The environment is based on the use of standards for metadata exchange (MOF, XMI), to ease the integration of the most common UML-based CASE tools, thus enabling software designers to smoothly introduce performance validation activities into their best development practices. {\textcopyright} 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.}, keywords = {Codes (standards), Computer aided software engineering, Computer simulation, Lifecycle validation, Metadata, Metamodeling, Performance, Quality control, Software environments, Software performance, XML}, issn = {01641212}, doi = {10.1016/j.jss.2004.04.014}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-11144271040\&partnerID=40\&md5=36f844fc57fc3cf9ba5a51344b5472d2}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Iazeolla, G.} } @conference {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio200575, title = {A model transformation framework for the automated building of performance models from UML models}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the Fifth International Workshop on Software and Performance, WOSP{\textquoteright}05}, year = {2005}, note = {cited By 48}, pages = {75-86}, abstract = {In order to effectively validate the performance of software systems throughout their development cycle it is necessary to continuously build performance models from software models and then use the obtained models to check whether the system is being developed according to its performance requirements. The model building activity is a critical and effort-consuming activity. Several approaches have been envisaged to endow software designers with tools that automatically build ready-to-evaluate performance models from software development models. One essential requirement of such tools, often disregarded by current approaches, is a high degree of interoperability with software development tools, which has the positive effect of reducing both the level of required expertise in performance theory and the burden of learning separate tools. This paper introduces a frame-work for transforming source software models into target performance models. The transformation requires a clear understanding of the abstract syntax and semantics of both the source and target models, which is obtained by use of metamodeling techniques for defining the abstract syntax of models, the interrelationships between model elements and the model transformation rules. In the paper case, the framework is applied to the transformation of source models of UML type into target models of LQN (layered queueing network) type. The proposed approach is founded on the precepts recently introduced by model-driven development (MDA) and makes use of the set of related standards (MOF, QVT, XMI). This allows to obtain a high degree of automation, so that interoperable model transformation tools can be implemented in a timely and efficient way, leading to improvements in terms of software designers{\textquoteright} productivity and system quality. Copyright 2005 ACM.}, keywords = {Automated model building, Computer programming languages, Computer simulation, Computer software, Interoperability, Layered queueing network (LQN), Mathematical models, Mathematical transformations, Performance models, Queueing networks, Semantics, Software engineering, Software models, Software performance}, isbn = {1595930876; 9781595930873}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33748990901\&partnerID=40\&md5=3d70f2f5116fbd9bc73c5adb8790835c}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {Iazeolla1995221, title = {Collaborative IV\&V by SPEED a tool-kit for the performance IV\&V of critical software}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the Workshop on Enabling Technologies: Infrastructure for Collaborative Enterprises, WET ICE}, year = {1995}, note = {cited By 1}, pages = {221-230}, publisher = {IEEE, Los Alamitos, CA, United States}, organization = {IEEE, Los Alamitos, CA, United States}, abstract = {Software performance engineering is a software engineering methodology whose scope is continuing Performance IV\&V during life cycle. SPEED (Software PErformance Evaluation and MoDeling) is a tool-kit for software Performance IV\&V according to performance engineering criteria. It is in course of development at the Laboratory for Computer Science, and CERTIA Research Center, University of Rome at TorVergata. In its present version, it generates and evaluates the Master Model of the product, a performance analysis model that continuously evolves with the product design, and that includes the software workload model and the abstract machine model, or model of the executing environment. Conventional analytical and hybrid simulation techniques can then be applied to the MM to obtain performance predictions for the product under design. The paper gives a description of the SPEED philosophy and architecture, with an accompanying application example of DBMS performance design.}, keywords = {Computer simulation, Computer software, Computer software selection and evaluation, Critical software, Database systems, Performance, Software engineering, Software performance evaluation and modeling, Software workload model, Systems analysis}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0029516723\&partnerID=40\&md5=0a21b948e2ba7b9d5bec357bc0477f93}, author = {Iazeolla, Giuseppe and Mirandola, Raffaela and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} }