https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/24475 2026-05-05T15:19:28Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/25434 Linear response surface analysis and some applications Hattingh, JM Venter, L.M.; Lombard, R.R. In general response surface analysis refers to the modeling of experimental or observational data. Computer technology and graphical techniques obviously play a significant role in the representations of these models. A well known traditional application is the use of hill climbing techniques and the fitting of models to experimental data by statisticians. In this paper we restrict attention to the analysis of linear response surfaces. In contrast to methods that explore the behaviour of nonlinear response functions in unconstrained situations we 1ook at the behaviour of linear response functions over the convex hull defined by observational data. The use of linear programming and related techniques play a major role in this type of analysis. A number of researchers have contributed towards these modeling techniques. These contributions are discussed and some advances that have been made with decision support systems based on this methodology are illustrated. 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/24837 Developing soft skills in computer students Schroder, C; Thomas, T Venter, L; Lombard, R.R. Today software developers are required to work closely with users when defining, developing and implementing systems. Interaction between software developers and users can influence the success or failure of the system development and implementation. The emphasis has shifted towards the need for IT developers who, not only have the technical capabilities and knowledge, but who also have strong interpersonal and business skills. IT professionals need to be able to form close working relationships and communicate effectively with both end-users and their IT peers. Tertiary institutions have, however, continued to emphasise technical and research skills and usually ignored the need for soft skills. It is not enough for tertiary institutions to tell students that they need these soft skills, opportunities must be created so that they can develop them. At the Port Elizabeth Technikon special modules have been created within the Information Technology course to afford students the opportunities to develop these skills. These modules run throughout the year for second and third year students. The emphasis is on providing an environment (n which the students are encouraged to practise their soft skills. The paper will discuss the module content, methods used and our experiences in teaching these modules. The modules alone, however, are not sufficient for development of the necessary soft skills, therefore opportunities for this must be created within other subjects. The paper will also describe some of the methods that can be implemented to achieve this. 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/24828 The effects of virtual banking on the South African banking industry Dunley-Owen, M; Hart, ML Venter, L; Lombard, R.R. The South African banking industry is set to undergo a complete transformation in the next ten years. One of the main reasons for this transformation is the development of virtual banking, specifically new delivery channels used to deliver financial products to the banks' customers. The research set out to analyse this transformation by identifying five main areas of change that indicate how virtual banking is expected to affect the banking industry. Three external areas of change were identified, namely customers, new competition and technology. Customers are becoming more important as virtual banking gives them increased power, and are thus forcing banks to focus their operations on meeting customer needs. Banks are also being forced to compete with new competition as virtual banking redefines the value chain of banking, allowing new competitors to enter the industry by focusing on specific areas of banking in which they have competitive advantages. Technological developments are also having a major impact on banks, despite the fact that technology has formed a major part of banking for some time. Two internal areas of change are necessary for banks to respond to customers, competition and technology. Firstly, there is a need for banks to change the way they operate in order to meet the requirements virtual banking, and secondly, banks are being forced to become more competitive in a global market. These five areas of change were used to develop a conceptual framework of the effects of virtual banking on the banking industry. This framework shows that increased costs, increased complexity and loss of control is creating radical change in the banking industry as virtual banking develops. These factors are forcing all players in the industry to focus on specific areas of banking rather than attempt to control all steps in the value chain. It is thus vital that banks analyse the effects of virtual banking, and determine how to respond to these changes and how to retain their control over banking. 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/24827 Combining rule-based Artificial Intelligence with Geographic Information Systems to plan the physical layer of wireless networks in Greenfield areas Prag, K; Premjeeth, P; Sandrasegaran, K Venter, L; Lombard, R.R. This paper elucidates the development of a computer tool which combines the use of terrain data in a Geographic Information System (GIS), an equipment database and rule-based inference. It explores the use of GJS to aid network planners to locate base stations and perform radio link planning in fixed wireless networks. And farther explains how the process of site and equipment selection for point-to-multi-point networks may be automated with the use of an expert system interacting with a GIS and a specialised database. The use of heuristics is adopted to locate sites for fixed wireless basestations and repeaters in Greenfield areas as well as to specify the frequency plan, radio equipment and antenna requirements. 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z