Architecture of Interoperable Information Systems: Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added
No edit summary
 
(44 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 1:
 
{{AFC submission|d|reason|3=Thanks for your efforts, but I believe the article needs a better lead and tone for viewers unfamiliar with the subject. Consider visiting [[Wikipedia:Writing better articles]].|declinets=20120722003316|decliner=SwisterTwister|ts=20120715171112|u=ISresearcher|ns=2}}
[[File:Architecture of Interoperable Information Systems.gif|thumb|right|Architecture of Interoperable Information Systems]]
The '''Architecture of Interoperable Information Systems (AIOS)''' is a reference architecture for the development of interoperable [[enterprise information systems]]. If enterprises or public administrations want to engage in automated business processes with other organizations, their IT systems must be able to work together, i.e. they need to be [[interoperability|interoperable]]. The AIOS represents a bluegeneric building printplan for these organizations to systematicallydevelop adjust and extend their internalinteroperable information systems inby ordersystematically toadjusting makeand themextending interoperabletheir withinternal thoseinformation of collaboration partnerssystems.
The AIOS was described in a doctoral thesis and is based on the results of various research projects on interoperability .<ref>Ziemann (2010): [http://www.logos-verlag.de/cgi-bin/buch/isbn/2414 Architecture of Interoperable Information Systems - An enterprise Model-based Approach for Describing and Enacting Collaborative Business Processes.] Logos, 2010. Logos was so kind to permit the [https://eamfundamentals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ziemann_AIOS.pdf free download of a copy here]. A summary can be found here: Ziemann (2012): Architecture of Interoperable Information Systems - Reference Architecture for Collaborations between Public Administrations. In: Krallmann, H., Zapp, A. (Eds.): Bausteine einer vernetzten Verwaltung. Berlin, Erich Schmidt Verlag, 2012, pp. 165.</ref> It is independent from specific products or vendors but describes generically the different layers, views, relationships and technical means needed to efficiently establish interoperable information systems. To this aim it combines well concepts from [[Serviceservice-oriented Architecturearchitecture]], Collaborative Business and [[Business Process Modelling]]. It can be seen as complementary to [[Architecture of Integrated Information Systems|ARIS]], a widewell-spreadknown architecture for internal information systems and business processes.
 
== Definition ==
TheSimilar to the automation of processes inside organizations, the automation of cross-organizational [[business process]]es is one of the mostan important trends of the information agetrend. InsteadIn ofthis a tight [[integration]]endeavor, collaborating organizations rather strive for a loose coupling of their information systems instead of a tight [[system integration|integration]]: the collaborating information systems should be able to work together but retain as much independency as possible. This characteristic is also called '''[[interoperability]]''', or in the context of of collaborating organizations, [[Business Interoperability Interface#Business Interoperabilityinteroperability|Business Interoperability]], referring toi.e. the capability of autonomous organizations to execute a collaborative business process among them.
 
'''[[Information systems|Information system]]s''' are systems that process information, i.e. they capture, transport, transform, store and offer information. Following the conception prevailing in information systems research, an information system comprises not only the hardware and software of an enterprise, but also the related human actors, business functions and processes as well as organization structures.<ref>Compare for example Becker & Schütte (2004, p. 33): Handelsinformationssysteme – Domänenorientierte Einführung in die Wirtschaftsinformatik 2nd Edition, Redline Wirtschaft, Frankfurt or Gabriel(2008): Informationssystem. Enzyklopädie der Wirtschaftsinformatik, Online Lexikon. Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag, Germany. </ref> This broad understanding is for example also embodied by the [[Zachman Framework]].
 
'''[[Architecture]]''' is defined as the “fundamental organization of a system, embodied in its components, their relationships to each other and the environment, and the principles governing its design and evolution”.<ref>IEEE (2007): IEEE 1471 Website, IEEE Std. 1471 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Version 5.0, 19 July 2007. Httphttp://www.iso-architecture.org/ieee-1471/ieee-1471-faq.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828212832/http://www.iso-architecture.org/ieee-1471/ieee-1471-faq.html |date=2011-08-28 }}, ac-cessed: May 2009</ref>. Sinz defines an information system architecture as the building plan of an information system in the sense of a specification and documentation of its components and their relationships covering all relevant viewpoints as well as the constructions rules for the creation of the building plan.<ref> Sinz (2002): Architektur von Informationssystemen. In: Rechenberg, P., Pomberger, G. (eds.): Informatik-Handbuch. 3rd Edition, Hanser, München, pp. 1055-1068</ref>.
 
Accordingly, an '''Architecture of Interoperable Information Systems''' can be defined as the building plan of a cross-organizational information system, which enables organizations to execute a collaborative business process among them.
 
== Background and Application ==
Following the work on interoperable information systems conducted in European Research Projects (e.g. <ref>Interop NOE (2004 to 2007, project number IST-2004-508011), ATHENA (2004 to 2007, “Advanced Technologies for Interoperability of Heterogeneous Enterprise Networks and their Application”, project number IST-2004-507849) or R4eGov (2006 to 2009, project number IST-2004-026650)</ref>), in 2010 the ArchitecureArchitecture of Interoperable Information Systems (AIOS) was published as a reference for the construction of loosely coupled, interoperating information systems and for the systematic, model-based enactment of collaborative business processes.
The AIOS originally aims at large organizations who want to interoperate with each other. To this aim it describes how internal information system elements can be systematically connected with the information systems of collaboration partners.
 
The AIOS originally aims primarily at large organizations whothat want to interoperate with each other. To this aim it describes how internal information system elements can be systematically connected with the information systems of collaboration partners. The main elements of the AIOS are:
Though the AIOS comprises all models needed for the enactment of collaborative business it focuses on '''design time''' aspects, e.g. the systematic development and configuration of interoperable information systems. The deployment of these models and the infrastructure to execute them are not described by AIOS. However, one '''run time''' component of the AIOS is a repository, in which each organization publishes the content of its [[Business Interoperability Interface]] (BII) to collaboration partners. Since it comprises external views on information system elements, it can support (runtime) publishing and discovery functionalities as needed in [[Service-oriented Architecture]]: In the BII, the externally relevant processes, services, organization structures etc. are described on various levels of technical granularity, enabling other organizations to search also for business-level concepts and not only for technical artifacts. Here, different from the traditional SOA approach, instead of one central service directory, various partner-specific repositories are implemented.
# Description of the different data types comprised in interoperable information system as well as their relationships. This is also called the '''static''' part, or the ''structure'' of the architecture. It tells organizations which information elements (e.g. descriptions of messages, exchange sequences, roles and services) they have to provide to collaboration partners and how they can optimally correlate these to internal elements.
# Description of different building paths for implementing or adjusting interoperable information systems. This is also called the '''dynamic''' part of the architecture. It tells organization, how to iteratively develop the elements mentioned above.
# Concept for the technical '''components needed to implement''' the architecture, for example design tools, internal and externally visible repositories.
ThoughOne theelement AIOScomprised comprises all models needed forin the enactmentthird ofcategory collaborativeis business it focuses ona '''design time"BII-repository"''' aspects, e.g. the systematic development and configuration of interoperable information systems. The deployment of these models and the infrastructure to execute them are not described by AIOS. However, one '''run time''' component of the AIOS is a repository, in which each organization publishes the content of its [[Business Interoperability Interface]] (BII) to collaboration partners. Since it comprises external views on information system elements, it can support (runtime)provides publishing and discovery functionalities as needed in [[Serviceservice-oriented Architecturearchitecture]]: In the BII, the externally relevant processes, services, organization structures etc. are described on various levels of technical granularity, enabling other organizations to search also for business-level conceptselements and not only for technical artifacts. Here, different from the traditional SOA approach, instead of one central service directory, various partner-specific repositories are implemented.
 
== Structure ==
The static part of the architecture builds on three orthogonal axes: Enterprise Dimensions, Levels of technical Granularity and Collaborative Views.
[[File:Architecture of Interoperable Information Systems.gif|thumb|right|Architecture of Interoperable Information Systems]]
The architecure builds on three orthogonal axes: Enterprise Dimensions, Levels of technical Granularity and Colloborative Views. The latter provides a public view on private information system elements. Thus, the architecture provides a comprehensive [[Business Interoperability Interface]], which describes the information system boundaries of one organization to its collaboration Partners and connects internal and external information systems.
 
=== Enterprise dimensions===
To describe business processes comprehensively this axis provides distinct views on processes, functions, data, and organizational elements. In the organization dimension, roles, units and other organization elements relevant for the collaboration are described and related to internal elements. This ensures for example, that the collaboration partners have a common understanding of the interacting roles. In the data dimension, document types used in the collaboration are defined and related to internally used document types. In the function dimension, business functions and services offered in the collaboration are described. In the process dimension, the processes that each organization offers are described as well as how these public processes are related to adjacent processes of partner organizations.
 
=== Collaborative views ===
Similar to private, public and global views as known from business process and workflow modeling, in the AIOS, corresponding private, public and global views on information system elements are provided. The public view acts as an interface to the internal, private system elements; it protects internal systems and enables interoperability without the need for a significant change to the internal systems. The global view can be used to correlate and connect the public views of different systems.
# The '''private view''' comprises the only internally visible information system elements.
# The '''public view''' acts as an interface to the internal, private system elements; it protects internal systems and enables interoperability without the need for a significant change to the internal systems. This public view describes the information system boundaries of an organization to its collaboration partners and connects internal and external information systems, thereby also providing the content of the [[Business Interoperability Interface]] of an organization.
# The '''global view''' can be used to correlate and connect the public views of different systems.
 
=== Enterprise dimensions ===
[[File:AIOS Enterprise Dimensions.JPG|thumb|Illustration of the Architecture of Interoperable Information Systems / Enterprise Dimensions]]
To describe business processes comprehensively this axis provides distinct views on processes, functions, data, and organizational elements.
# In the '''organizational dimension''', roles, units and other organization elements relevant for the collaboration are described and related to internal elements. This ensures for example, that the collaboration partners have a common understanding of the interacting roles.
# In the '''data dimension''', document types used in the collaboration are defined and related to internally used document types.
# In the '''function dimension''', business functions and services offered in the collaboration are described.
# In the '''process dimension''', the processes that each organization offers are described as well as how these public processes are related to adjacent processes of partner organizations.
Thus, in combination with the axis "collaborative views", '''private, public and global views on processes, functions, data, and organizational roles''' are provided.
 
=== Levels of technical granularity ===
[[File:AIOS Levels of technical detail.JPG|thumb|AIOS Levels of technical detail]]
The description of system elements on different levels of technical granularity supports a systematic development of collaborative information systems, starting with the business requirements definition and going all the way down to the code level. Apart from the construction aspect, thereby also a multi-dimensional interoperability description is also provided;, describing the interacting systems on different levels of technical granularity enablesfacilitating the synchronization of the collaborating systems on each level. Similar to for example [[Architecture of Integrated Information Systems|ARIS]] and OMG's [[Model-driven architecture|MDA]] three levels are used:
# Business Level: Here the processes to be automated are described from a technique independent level. In MDA this level is referred to as CIM level.
# '''Business Level''': Here the processes to be automated are described from a technique independent level. In MDA this level is referred to as CIM level.
# '''Technical Level''': Here the IT concept is described. Therefore, the models from the first level are technically enriched, for example, instead of business functions now components are described, but still on a coarse-grained, conceptual level. Since the models on the second level represent the basis for an automated generation of executable code, they might have to be further adapted to fit implementation level constraints.
# '''Execution Level''': Here the models are machine interpretable and can be used during runtime in the execution of processes.
 
== References ==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
[[:Category:SoftwareInteroperability]]
 
[[Category:Service-oriented (business computing)]]
 
[[:Category:CollaborativeBusiness software]]
 
[[:Category:OperationsCollaborative researchsoftware]]
[[:Category:BusinessSoftware architecture]]
[[:Category:Collaborative software]]
[[:Category:Software]]