The general aim of the Laboratory of Service Systems (SeSLab) is to study possibilities of services provision and their IT support (which is similarly provisioned as a service), so that they bring maximal value to their users. The specific research in separate laboratory sections is then based on this general idea.
In all the sections we try to apply a complex approach, based on a 4 diamonds model. It's a specific model which helps to understand the connections between different contexts of the cities and their mutual relationships. It allows us to include non technical aspects into our model examples (human factors, social dimensions, etc.). This approach leads to a definition of new solutions that are better accepted by the cities, their residents and other stakeholders - because it brings more added value that all the involved parties clearly understand.
Laboratory Sections
Smart City
The laboratory is focused on projects targeted at solving current problems of cities and municipalities. Problems that are related to the implementation of Smart City methodology - especially from the perspective of using IT services. We research the added value of "smart services" - what role does IT play in them and how to correctly develop, sustain and manage these services.
We also take interest in using IT for resiliency of cities and communities - how to correctly provide IT services so they'd contribute to the development of city according to the latest requirements (carbon neutrality, resiliency, green cities).
Section supervisor: Ing. Leonard Walletzký
Open Data
Quality takes a big part of the laboratory's work - quality of data, quality of services in the Smart City domain. We actively try to contribute to the fields of Open Data and Open Formal Norms, and their use for development of smart services and start-ups. We cooperate with cities to optimize their work with data and usage of data for the development of city services.
Section supervisor: Ing. Leonard Walletzký
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History of the Laboratory
The Laboratory of Service Systems has been established along the new program Service Science, Management and Engineering (SSME), now called Software Systems and Services Management. The program was brought to the Faculty of Informatics by Ing. Jaroslav Zelený, CSc. (now also a laboratory member), an IBM Czech Republic employee of the time responsible for collaboration with academia. The historically first supervisor of the laboratory was RNDr. Zdenko Staníček, Ph.D. He was also a key person in the SSME program, thanks to whom it grew from 18 students in 2008 to over 200 in 2010.
The increase of students led to organizational problems and discussions about the program contents. Big changes happened in the extent and structure of the study courses and also in the organization of external internships. These changes were prepared and made by the current members of the laboratory, Ing. Leonard Walletzký, Ph.D. and Ing. Jaroslav Zelený CSc. The present-day version of Services development management specialization of Software systems and services management program is built on these changes.
The laboratory has always synergically supported research through a multidisciplinary approach to services. Zdenko Staníček has created the 4 Diamond Theory on its premises, which is being taught in the program up until today.
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Vision of the Laboratory
The laboratory has been growing since year 2018, when the Smart City field has entered the main stage of its research. The goal is to build from the Laboratory of Service Systems in 4 years a renowned facility, collaborating with municipalities and companies dealing with service science (on the fields of Smart City and Open Data, in the past also ERP systems), and assure lasting transfer of research results to applications and practice, including adequate grant financing.
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Values and Rules
We cultivate team collaboration of all laboratory members, always seeking synergies, how to improve our work together. Bi-weekly meetings of the whole laboratory, during which we discuss such opportunities, help assure that. We follow the motto "Success of an individual is the success of the laboratory and vice versa." We collaborate with faculty through Masaryk University, namely with Faculty of Economics and Administration and Faculty of Social Studies.
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Strategy
The laboratory recruits new members among students. All students, not only of SSME and RSSS programs, are welcome if they wish to partake in research. All students who write their final thesis under the supervision of a senior laboratory member automatically become laboratory members. It is also possible to earn credits for involvement in the laboratory: members enroll in the PV202 Laboratory of Service Systems course. The course can be registered repeatedly.
All student members of the laboratory, when they communicate interest, can participate in academic activity of the laboratory, such as co-authoring scholarly conference and journal papers.
Videopresentation of the laboratory
The laboratory created their own videopresentation for the Open Doors Day at FI in 2021. For now, the video is only available in Czech language.