A methodology for modernising legacy web applications: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual
- Authors: Malgraff, Maxine
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Management information systems , Information technology , Application software -- Development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64148 , vital:73657
- Description: One problem faced in the Information Systems domain is that of poorly maintained, poorly documented, and/or unmanageable systems, known as Legacy Information Systems (LISs). As a result of the everchanging web development landscape, web applications have also become susceptible to the challenges faced in keeping up with technological advances, and older applications are starting to display the characteristics of becoming Legacy Web Applications (LWAs). As retaining business process support and meeting business requirements is often necessary, one method of recovering vital LWAs is to modernise them. System modernisation aims to recover business knowledge and provide an enhanced system that overcomes the problems plagued by LISs. When planning to modernise an LWA, guidance and support are essential to ensure that the modernisation exercise is performed efficiently and effectively. Modernisation methodologies can provide this required guidance and support as they provide models, tools and techniques that serve as guiding principles for the modernisation process. Although many modernisation methodologies exist, very few offer a comprehensive approach to modernisation that provides guidelines for each modernisation phase, tools to assist in the modernisation and techniques that can be used throughout. Existing methodologies also do not cater for cases that include both the LWA and migration to modernised web-specific environments. This research study aimed to investigate modernisation methodologies and identify which methodologies, or parts thereof, could be adapted for modernising LWAs. Existing methodologies were analysed and compared using the definition of a methodology, as well as other factors that improve the modernisation process. Modernisation case studies were reviewed to identify lessons learned from these studies so that these could be considered when planning an LWA modernisation. The ARTIST methodology was the most comprehensive modernisation methodology identified from those researched and was selected as the most appropriate methodology for modernising an LWA. ARTIST was modified to the mARTIST methodology to cater for web-based environments.mARTIST was used to modernise an existing LWA, called OldMax, at an automotive manufacturer, anonymously referred to as AutoCo, to determine its ability to support the modernisation of LWAs. Additional tools and evaluation methods were also investigated and used in place of those recommended by ARTIST, where deemed appropriate for the modernisation of OldMax. Limitations set by AutoCo on the hosting and technical environments for the modernised application also required ARTIST to be adapted to better suit the use case. The steps taken during this modernisation were documented and reported on to highlight the effectiveness of mARTIST and the tools used. The result of this modernisation was that the modernised web application, ModMax, was evaluated to determine the success of the modernisation. The modernisation of OldMax to ModMax, using the mARTIST methodology, was found to be successful based on the criteria set by the ARTIST methodology. Based on this, mARTIST can successfully be used for the modernisation of LWAs. To support future modernisations, an evaluation method for determining technical feasibility was developed for LWA, and alternate tools that could be used throughout modernisation exercises were recommended. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Malgraff, Maxine
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Management information systems , Information technology , Application software -- Development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64148 , vital:73657
- Description: One problem faced in the Information Systems domain is that of poorly maintained, poorly documented, and/or unmanageable systems, known as Legacy Information Systems (LISs). As a result of the everchanging web development landscape, web applications have also become susceptible to the challenges faced in keeping up with technological advances, and older applications are starting to display the characteristics of becoming Legacy Web Applications (LWAs). As retaining business process support and meeting business requirements is often necessary, one method of recovering vital LWAs is to modernise them. System modernisation aims to recover business knowledge and provide an enhanced system that overcomes the problems plagued by LISs. When planning to modernise an LWA, guidance and support are essential to ensure that the modernisation exercise is performed efficiently and effectively. Modernisation methodologies can provide this required guidance and support as they provide models, tools and techniques that serve as guiding principles for the modernisation process. Although many modernisation methodologies exist, very few offer a comprehensive approach to modernisation that provides guidelines for each modernisation phase, tools to assist in the modernisation and techniques that can be used throughout. Existing methodologies also do not cater for cases that include both the LWA and migration to modernised web-specific environments. This research study aimed to investigate modernisation methodologies and identify which methodologies, or parts thereof, could be adapted for modernising LWAs. Existing methodologies were analysed and compared using the definition of a methodology, as well as other factors that improve the modernisation process. Modernisation case studies were reviewed to identify lessons learned from these studies so that these could be considered when planning an LWA modernisation. The ARTIST methodology was the most comprehensive modernisation methodology identified from those researched and was selected as the most appropriate methodology for modernising an LWA. ARTIST was modified to the mARTIST methodology to cater for web-based environments.mARTIST was used to modernise an existing LWA, called OldMax, at an automotive manufacturer, anonymously referred to as AutoCo, to determine its ability to support the modernisation of LWAs. Additional tools and evaluation methods were also investigated and used in place of those recommended by ARTIST, where deemed appropriate for the modernisation of OldMax. Limitations set by AutoCo on the hosting and technical environments for the modernised application also required ARTIST to be adapted to better suit the use case. The steps taken during this modernisation were documented and reported on to highlight the effectiveness of mARTIST and the tools used. The result of this modernisation was that the modernised web application, ModMax, was evaluated to determine the success of the modernisation. The modernisation of OldMax to ModMax, using the mARTIST methodology, was found to be successful based on the criteria set by the ARTIST methodology. Based on this, mARTIST can successfully be used for the modernisation of LWAs. To support future modernisations, an evaluation method for determining technical feasibility was developed for LWA, and alternate tools that could be used throughout modernisation exercises were recommended. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Information technology (IT) measures needed In the automotive industry to prepare for a pandemic
- Authors: Marwayi, Sisanda
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Information technology , Automobile industry and trade
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57864 , vital:58292
- Description: Information Technology is the application of technology to solve business or organisational problems on a broad scale. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a standstill to many businesses, including that of the automotive industry, where production was brought to halt, car sales plummeted and automotive industry employees were forced to work remotely. This study sought to understand the measures needed to be taken by the automotive industry in preparation for a pandemic. This study followed a deductive approach and the use of surveys was selected as a data collection tool. At the time of the study, the study population was permanently employed automotive industry employees based in Nelson Mandela Bay, working in administrative departments. These employees had access to ICT tools provided by the targeted company. The study aimed to investigate the IT measures needed by the automotive industry in preparation for a pandemic. More specifically, the study investigated IT infrastructure, financial support and communication, as well as IT skills and training, needed by the automotive industry in the Nelson Mandela Bay area for successful remote working. The empirical results were obtained from 127 automotive industry employees. The aim was to determine the extent of Remote Work Assessment in the Nelson Mandela Bay automotive industry and whether IT infrastructure, Communication, Financial support, IT skills, IT personnel support and IT training were the strongest determinants of measuring IT needs in preparation for a pandemic. The findings of the study indicated that IT infrastructure, Communication, IT skills, IT personnel support and IT training were important determinants of Remote Work Assessment. The study also revealed that only financial support was deemed as an insignificant determinant of Remote Work Assessment. Furthermore, recommendations were made to automotive industry leaders and management to facilitate improved working conditions with government. This can lead to significantly better forecasting and vi measurement of IT needs for future pandemic preparation in the automotive industry in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Marwayi, Sisanda
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Information technology , Automobile industry and trade
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57864 , vital:58292
- Description: Information Technology is the application of technology to solve business or organisational problems on a broad scale. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a standstill to many businesses, including that of the automotive industry, where production was brought to halt, car sales plummeted and automotive industry employees were forced to work remotely. This study sought to understand the measures needed to be taken by the automotive industry in preparation for a pandemic. This study followed a deductive approach and the use of surveys was selected as a data collection tool. At the time of the study, the study population was permanently employed automotive industry employees based in Nelson Mandela Bay, working in administrative departments. These employees had access to ICT tools provided by the targeted company. The study aimed to investigate the IT measures needed by the automotive industry in preparation for a pandemic. More specifically, the study investigated IT infrastructure, financial support and communication, as well as IT skills and training, needed by the automotive industry in the Nelson Mandela Bay area for successful remote working. The empirical results were obtained from 127 automotive industry employees. The aim was to determine the extent of Remote Work Assessment in the Nelson Mandela Bay automotive industry and whether IT infrastructure, Communication, Financial support, IT skills, IT personnel support and IT training were the strongest determinants of measuring IT needs in preparation for a pandemic. The findings of the study indicated that IT infrastructure, Communication, IT skills, IT personnel support and IT training were important determinants of Remote Work Assessment. The study also revealed that only financial support was deemed as an insignificant determinant of Remote Work Assessment. Furthermore, recommendations were made to automotive industry leaders and management to facilitate improved working conditions with government. This can lead to significantly better forecasting and vi measurement of IT needs for future pandemic preparation in the automotive industry in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-04
The readiness for the 4th industrial revolution by SARS towards 2030
- Authors: Botha, Reneé Chrystal
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: South African Revenue Service , Technological innovations -- Economic aspects , Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50966 , vital:43176
- Description: The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is an autonomous agent that was established to collect taxes on behalf of the state. This mandate is shared across countries where the common thread of revenue collection agencies is that they all need to collect revenue, want participants within the system to act responsibly, the process to be fair and to act within the boundaries of legislation. It has become increasingly challenging for revenue collection agencies across the world to ensure tax compliance and ensure optimal revenue collection when unemployment rates are high, and the economy continues to struggle. It is a shared objective between revenue collection agencies to optimise revenue collection initiative and to narrow the tax gap. The technological advances in all sectors have grown at an exponential rate within a very short period. The WEF (2018) emphasised that the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) brings with it an era of unprecedented innovation, technical change and global connectivity. Technology has become the key driver in assisting SARS to achieve its objectives to inform taxpayers of their responsibilities, make it easy for them to comply and ensure compliance to the tax laws. The primary objective of the research study is to investigate the possible factors that could influence the future state of revenue services, develop a series of alternative scenarios, and provide the preferred future of the South African Revenue Services towards 2030. The Six Pillars of futures studies provide a theory of futures thinking that links method and tools, that is developed through praxis (Inayatullah, 2012). The Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) was the preferred research tool used in this study to deepen the future analysis. Emphasis was placed on scenario planning and the creation of alternative futures for the South African Revenue Services towards 2030. The drivers of change that impacted the economy were identified and how it can be utilised to close the tax gap. SARS has been a victim of seizure where the destabilising of corporate governance and efficiency was the core objective. It is therefore important to understand the past and present to enable better planning. This paper aims to better understand the disruptors to industry and the opportunity to improve efficiency and effectiveness using technology associated with the 4IR. SARS has great potential in being globally competitive with other countries, if government, stakeholders and SARS leadership have a shared vision of what the future revenue services will look like, what its capabilities will be and resource availability to ensure this vision is realized. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences , Business Administration, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Botha, Reneé Chrystal
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: South African Revenue Service , Technological innovations -- Economic aspects , Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50966 , vital:43176
- Description: The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is an autonomous agent that was established to collect taxes on behalf of the state. This mandate is shared across countries where the common thread of revenue collection agencies is that they all need to collect revenue, want participants within the system to act responsibly, the process to be fair and to act within the boundaries of legislation. It has become increasingly challenging for revenue collection agencies across the world to ensure tax compliance and ensure optimal revenue collection when unemployment rates are high, and the economy continues to struggle. It is a shared objective between revenue collection agencies to optimise revenue collection initiative and to narrow the tax gap. The technological advances in all sectors have grown at an exponential rate within a very short period. The WEF (2018) emphasised that the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) brings with it an era of unprecedented innovation, technical change and global connectivity. Technology has become the key driver in assisting SARS to achieve its objectives to inform taxpayers of their responsibilities, make it easy for them to comply and ensure compliance to the tax laws. The primary objective of the research study is to investigate the possible factors that could influence the future state of revenue services, develop a series of alternative scenarios, and provide the preferred future of the South African Revenue Services towards 2030. The Six Pillars of futures studies provide a theory of futures thinking that links method and tools, that is developed through praxis (Inayatullah, 2012). The Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) was the preferred research tool used in this study to deepen the future analysis. Emphasis was placed on scenario planning and the creation of alternative futures for the South African Revenue Services towards 2030. The drivers of change that impacted the economy were identified and how it can be utilised to close the tax gap. SARS has been a victim of seizure where the destabilising of corporate governance and efficiency was the core objective. It is therefore important to understand the past and present to enable better planning. This paper aims to better understand the disruptors to industry and the opportunity to improve efficiency and effectiveness using technology associated with the 4IR. SARS has great potential in being globally competitive with other countries, if government, stakeholders and SARS leadership have a shared vision of what the future revenue services will look like, what its capabilities will be and resource availability to ensure this vision is realized. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences , Business Administration, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
A strategy for sustainable ICT development in deep rural environments
- Authors: Medupe, Tsietsi Jacob
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Information technology , Sustainable development Information technology -- Developing countries Rural development -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41438 , vital:36483
- Description: This study provides a strategy for sustainable Information and Communcation Technology (ICT) development in deep rural environments and describes a case study conducted within the community of the AmaJingqi traditional council. It investigates the sustainability of the ICT services within a rural environments, the income profile and affordability of different members of the community and the strategy formulation model. The study’s main focus is on creating a strategy to be used as a guideline for the successful development and implementation of sustainable ICT development in deep rural environments and on defining ICT Sustainability. Furthermore, the different ICT users are profiled based on affordability and access to services, and deep rural environments are also defined. Moreover, the study describes the complete composition of sustainable ICT. It discusses design science research methodology and the reasons why the method is used is motivated and advanced. The study also outlines various research paradigms and philosophies and a number of research strategies are also discussed. The literature review focuses on various policies and frameworks which have been formulated to advance the universal access of ICT services by rural communities. It also outlines some of the ICT initiatives which have failed and the reasons for the failures and what will be corrected for similar mistakes not to be repeated. The study discusses the concepts of a strategy framework that outlines the theoretical foundation of the strategy formulation model, strategy implementation and control. It also discusses the diagnostics and outlines the various strategy guiding polices. The strategy is validated, expert reviews are solicited and the strategy is revised and finalised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Medupe, Tsietsi Jacob
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Information technology , Sustainable development Information technology -- Developing countries Rural development -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41438 , vital:36483
- Description: This study provides a strategy for sustainable Information and Communcation Technology (ICT) development in deep rural environments and describes a case study conducted within the community of the AmaJingqi traditional council. It investigates the sustainability of the ICT services within a rural environments, the income profile and affordability of different members of the community and the strategy formulation model. The study’s main focus is on creating a strategy to be used as a guideline for the successful development and implementation of sustainable ICT development in deep rural environments and on defining ICT Sustainability. Furthermore, the different ICT users are profiled based on affordability and access to services, and deep rural environments are also defined. Moreover, the study describes the complete composition of sustainable ICT. It discusses design science research methodology and the reasons why the method is used is motivated and advanced. The study also outlines various research paradigms and philosophies and a number of research strategies are also discussed. The literature review focuses on various policies and frameworks which have been formulated to advance the universal access of ICT services by rural communities. It also outlines some of the ICT initiatives which have failed and the reasons for the failures and what will be corrected for similar mistakes not to be repeated. The study discusses the concepts of a strategy framework that outlines the theoretical foundation of the strategy formulation model, strategy implementation and control. It also discusses the diagnostics and outlines the various strategy guiding polices. The strategy is validated, expert reviews are solicited and the strategy is revised and finalised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An information extraction model for recommending the most applied case
- Authors: Padayachy, Thashen
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Information technology , Information storage and retrieval systems System design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43325 , vital:36794
- Description: The amount of information produced by different domains is constantly increasing. One domain that particularly produces large amounts of information is the legal domain, where information is mainly used for research purposes. However, too much time is spent by legal researchers on searching for useful information. Information is found by using special search engines or by consulting hard copies of legal literature. The main research question that this study addressed is “What techniques can be incorporated into a model that recommends the most applied case for a field of law?”. The Design Science Research (DSR) methodology was used to address the research objectives. The model developed is the theoretical contribution produced from following the DSR methodology. A case study organisation, called LexisNexis, was to help investigate the real-world problem. The initial investigation into the real-world problem revealed that too much time is spent on searching for the Most Applied Case (MAC) and no formal or automated processes were used. An analysis of an informal process followed by legal researchers enabled the identification of different concepts that could be combined to create a prescriptive model to recommend the MAC. A critical analysis of the literature was conducted to obtain a better understanding of the legal domain and the techniques that can be applied to assist with problems faced in this domain, related to information retrieval and extraction. This resulted in the creation of an IE Model based only on theory. Questionnaires were sent to experts to obtain a further understanding of the legal domain, highlight problems faced, and identify which attributes of a legal case can be used to help recommend the MAC. During the Design and Development activity of the DSR methodology, a prescriptive MAC Model for recommending the MAC was created based on findings from the literature review and questionnaires. The MAC Model consists of processes concerning: Information retrieval (IR); Information extraction (IE); Information storage; and Query-independent ranking. Analysis of IR and IE helped to identify problems experienced when processing text. Furthermore, appropriate techniques and algorithms were identified that can process legal documents and extract specific facts. The extracted facts were then further processed to allow for storage and processing by query-independent ranking algorithms. The processes incorporated into the model were then used to create a proof-of-concept prototype called the IE Prototype. The IE Prototype implements two processes called the IE process and the Database process. The IE process analyses different sections of a legal case to extract specific facts. The Database process then ensures that the extracted facts are stored in a document database for future querying purposes. The IE Prototype was evaluated using the technical risk and efficacy strategy from the Framework for Evaluation of Design Science. Both formative and summative evaluations were conducted. Formative evaluations were conducted to identify functional issues of the prototype whilst summative evaluations made use of real-world legal cases to test the prototype. Multiple experiments were conducted on legal cases, known as source cases, that resulted in facts from the source cases being extracted. For the purpose of the experiments, the term “source case” was used to distinguish between a legal case in its entirety and a legal case’s list of cases referred to. Two types of NoSQL databases were investigated for implementation namely, a graph database and a document database. Setting up the graph database required little time. However, development issues prevented the graph database from being successfully implemented in the proof-of-concept prototype. A document database was successfully implemented as an alternative for the proof-of-concept prototype. Analysis of the source cases used to evaluate the IE Prototype revealed that 96% of the source cases were categorised as being partially extracted. The results also revealed that the IE Prototype was capable of processing large amounts of source cases at a given time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Padayachy, Thashen
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Information technology , Information storage and retrieval systems System design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43325 , vital:36794
- Description: The amount of information produced by different domains is constantly increasing. One domain that particularly produces large amounts of information is the legal domain, where information is mainly used for research purposes. However, too much time is spent by legal researchers on searching for useful information. Information is found by using special search engines or by consulting hard copies of legal literature. The main research question that this study addressed is “What techniques can be incorporated into a model that recommends the most applied case for a field of law?”. The Design Science Research (DSR) methodology was used to address the research objectives. The model developed is the theoretical contribution produced from following the DSR methodology. A case study organisation, called LexisNexis, was to help investigate the real-world problem. The initial investigation into the real-world problem revealed that too much time is spent on searching for the Most Applied Case (MAC) and no formal or automated processes were used. An analysis of an informal process followed by legal researchers enabled the identification of different concepts that could be combined to create a prescriptive model to recommend the MAC. A critical analysis of the literature was conducted to obtain a better understanding of the legal domain and the techniques that can be applied to assist with problems faced in this domain, related to information retrieval and extraction. This resulted in the creation of an IE Model based only on theory. Questionnaires were sent to experts to obtain a further understanding of the legal domain, highlight problems faced, and identify which attributes of a legal case can be used to help recommend the MAC. During the Design and Development activity of the DSR methodology, a prescriptive MAC Model for recommending the MAC was created based on findings from the literature review and questionnaires. The MAC Model consists of processes concerning: Information retrieval (IR); Information extraction (IE); Information storage; and Query-independent ranking. Analysis of IR and IE helped to identify problems experienced when processing text. Furthermore, appropriate techniques and algorithms were identified that can process legal documents and extract specific facts. The extracted facts were then further processed to allow for storage and processing by query-independent ranking algorithms. The processes incorporated into the model were then used to create a proof-of-concept prototype called the IE Prototype. The IE Prototype implements two processes called the IE process and the Database process. The IE process analyses different sections of a legal case to extract specific facts. The Database process then ensures that the extracted facts are stored in a document database for future querying purposes. The IE Prototype was evaluated using the technical risk and efficacy strategy from the Framework for Evaluation of Design Science. Both formative and summative evaluations were conducted. Formative evaluations were conducted to identify functional issues of the prototype whilst summative evaluations made use of real-world legal cases to test the prototype. Multiple experiments were conducted on legal cases, known as source cases, that resulted in facts from the source cases being extracted. For the purpose of the experiments, the term “source case” was used to distinguish between a legal case in its entirety and a legal case’s list of cases referred to. Two types of NoSQL databases were investigated for implementation namely, a graph database and a document database. Setting up the graph database required little time. However, development issues prevented the graph database from being successfully implemented in the proof-of-concept prototype. A document database was successfully implemented as an alternative for the proof-of-concept prototype. Analysis of the source cases used to evaluate the IE Prototype revealed that 96% of the source cases were categorised as being partially extracted. The results also revealed that the IE Prototype was capable of processing large amounts of source cases at a given time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Consumer health informatics in the information age and beyond
- Authors: Pottas, Dalenca
- Subjects: Medical informatics , Information technology , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20757 , vital:29386
- Description: This paper reviews current and future trends and challenges in the field of consumer health informatics. Emergent innovations driving consumer health informatics in the information age include devices, tools and applications supporting personalised healthcare, electronic personal health record (PHR) systems and a plethora of tools in the health social media domain. Within this domain, a new kind of social media citizen, the consumer specialist or patient opinion leader, is taking the lead in online communities of patients. A new generation of personal health records combining PHRs and social media is emerging, even though pervasive adoption and use of PHRs remains elusive. The accuracy of information, security and privacy of personal health information, legislative matters and the digital divide remain recurring challenges of consumer health informatics. In future, PHR vendors will have to address the lack of espousal of PHRs in innovative ways to provide a compelling case for adoption. The continued uptake of health social media necessitates efforts to understand, through longitudinal studies, precisely who the users are, what they use it for and how it contributes to the achievement of both personal and public health outcomes. Health information consumers, of varying levels of techno-literacy, needs and preferences, must be assisted to move from simply accessing information to distilling relevant and credible information and making informed decisions. Further research is required to understand the changing relationships between patients and healthcare providers and how consumer health information technologies can best support these. There is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of consumer health information technologies to inform both public policy and the next generation of tools, technologies and artefacts that could better facilitate improved health outcomes. Lastly, more effort is required to erode digital inequalities. As we move into a future emphasising both the global and the individual, accelerated connectedness and speed of change, consumer health informatics must respond such that it remains germane and amplifies the value that can be gained by all stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Pottas, Dalenca
- Subjects: Medical informatics , Information technology , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20757 , vital:29386
- Description: This paper reviews current and future trends and challenges in the field of consumer health informatics. Emergent innovations driving consumer health informatics in the information age include devices, tools and applications supporting personalised healthcare, electronic personal health record (PHR) systems and a plethora of tools in the health social media domain. Within this domain, a new kind of social media citizen, the consumer specialist or patient opinion leader, is taking the lead in online communities of patients. A new generation of personal health records combining PHRs and social media is emerging, even though pervasive adoption and use of PHRs remains elusive. The accuracy of information, security and privacy of personal health information, legislative matters and the digital divide remain recurring challenges of consumer health informatics. In future, PHR vendors will have to address the lack of espousal of PHRs in innovative ways to provide a compelling case for adoption. The continued uptake of health social media necessitates efforts to understand, through longitudinal studies, precisely who the users are, what they use it for and how it contributes to the achievement of both personal and public health outcomes. Health information consumers, of varying levels of techno-literacy, needs and preferences, must be assisted to move from simply accessing information to distilling relevant and credible information and making informed decisions. Further research is required to understand the changing relationships between patients and healthcare providers and how consumer health information technologies can best support these. There is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of consumer health information technologies to inform both public policy and the next generation of tools, technologies and artefacts that could better facilitate improved health outcomes. Lastly, more effort is required to erode digital inequalities. As we move into a future emphasising both the global and the individual, accelerated connectedness and speed of change, consumer health informatics must respond such that it remains germane and amplifies the value that can be gained by all stakeholders.
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ICT as an enabler of Socio Economic Development
- Authors: Van Greunen, Darrelle
- Subjects: Information technology , Digital divide , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20725 , vital:29383
- Description: Today’s is a world of many divides, one of the most typical being the Digital Divide, which in itself has given birth to or is worsening other economic and social divides. In this world, more suffer and less are able to benefit from technology. This paper aims to promote the importance of and need for inter-disciplinary cooperation for the use and promotion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as a bridge for the Digital Divide within disciplines. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) include any communication device—radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems, the services and applications associated with them, such as the Internet, geographic positioning systems (GPS), banking, e-health, e-learning and electronic government services. The paper will touch on tangible examples of inter-disciplinary cooperation and the use of ICT in different community interventions.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Van Greunen, Darrelle
- Subjects: Information technology , Digital divide , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20725 , vital:29383
- Description: Today’s is a world of many divides, one of the most typical being the Digital Divide, which in itself has given birth to or is worsening other economic and social divides. In this world, more suffer and less are able to benefit from technology. This paper aims to promote the importance of and need for inter-disciplinary cooperation for the use and promotion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as a bridge for the Digital Divide within disciplines. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) include any communication device—radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems, the services and applications associated with them, such as the Internet, geographic positioning systems (GPS), banking, e-health, e-learning and electronic government services. The paper will touch on tangible examples of inter-disciplinary cooperation and the use of ICT in different community interventions.
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