Abstract
E-commerce popularity has increased the challenges of parcel deliveries, highlighting the urgency in addressing the sustainability of the last-mile, which is considered the most ineffective part of the supply chain and a source of environmental and social issues. Although different alternative last-mile technologies have already been proposed, they all imply complex trade-offs. This study explores how synergies between delivery technologies could improve last-mile logistics. It evaluates the trade-offs between electric vans, cargo bikes, and parcel lockers, and takes into account factors such as package size, consumer requirement, and urban context. The adoption of a combined delivery strategy suggests environmental and social benefits like the mitigation of congestion and emissions while ensuring advantages for companies due to streamlined operations and offering consumers a broader range of choices.

Abstract
Technological evolution is very present in today’s world. The Internet of Everything (IoE) is one of the next steps in this evolution. WordPress is a website-building tool that is used today to its minimum capability. The main problem is how to make WordPress customizable and reliable to support device networking and communication. This can be done by implementing a new architecture that supports WordPress as a powerful tool, allowing for scalability and maintenance. The adoption of a recent trend known as DevOps is an important step in creating and developing a strong website and ensuring its integration with multiple devices. It emphasizes continuous testing, delivery, and integration. This article is based on a literature review to justify using micro-services architecture and the DevOps approach to build a reliable and robust working tool in WordPress that can be part of the IoE. © ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering 2025.

Abstract
The current era where living demands an accelerated digital transition mainly focused on encouraging a smarter, healthier, and more sustainable mobility, in all its dimensions – a must concern for the young generations. The convergence through several digital services and APP can be an attitudes and perception changer within the group of academic mobility users’, promoting a more sustainable and better mobility choices that impact on the academic user’s mobility routines. Thus, encouraging a global shift to shared and active mobility services and systems bringing significant contributions to environmental sustainability and, also, to users’ health. The Academic Mobility as a Service (AMaaS) provide a digital service with mobility alternatives to support the academic population geographically located in different faculty campuses and Higher Education Institutions (HEI). The AMaaS applied to a restrict group is helpful to test innovative transport solutions and its high cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Despite the shortage of AMaaS case studies and the lack of security reference, it is imperative that a cybersecurity by design is planned and included in AMaaS design. In this paper AMaaS critical cybersecurity challenges, and potential risks are discussed and AMaaS Security by Design framework is described. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

Abstract

Abstract
Digitalisation is mandatory for today’s companies. Living in the Era of Industry 4.0, the phenomenon of digital transformation cannot be ignored. Intending to support manufacturing companies in their digitalisation processes, the present paper reflects the work that has been carried on, to support the digital transition for manufacturing companies in the region of Tâmega e Sousa. This region is considered to be an industrial region located in the North of Portugal, but lagging in terms of digital technology adoption. In a theoretical framework, it is expected to identify the most relevant factors to promote a successful digital strategy. Supported by a Science Design methodology, a platform was developed to support the measurement of the maturity or digital companies’ readiness levels. To collect the necessary data were performed questionnaires. First, in a face-to-face approach and later through the platform developed. The (preliminary) results are based on a sample of 53 companies (pilot test). From this data, it was possible to identify some trends: 1) some behaviours indicate that the region is still in the digitisation phase; 2) the digitisation focus is in the processes dimension; 3) even performing a digital transition, companies do not invest in in-house IT solutions. Copyright © 2025 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Abstract
The transition to circular business models poses significant challenges, particularly for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). These challenges arise from different perspectives. Strategic alignment and technological barriers are just two of them. This paper aims to explore how Industry 4.0 technologies and Enterprise Architectures can facilitate the implementation of circular business models. By analyzing their role in overcoming key obstacles, the study explores the potential of these technologies in driving sustainable business transformation. The findings indicate that while integrating circularity into business practices remains complex, Enterprise Architectures, through the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, can mitigate some barriers. Ultimately, the synergy between technological innovation and circular business models can accelerate the shift towards sustainability.