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Architecture of Interoperable Information Systems
An Architecture of interoperable information systems describes how interoperating information systems can be efficiently designed and implemented. Since the invention of information system many concepts were created to foster interoperability between different kind of information systems. In 2010, under the name "Architecture of Interoperable Information Systems" (AIOS) a reference architecture for interconnecting enterprise information system was published[1]. It combines concepts from Service-oriented Architecture, Business Process Modelling and Collaborative Business. It can be seen as complementary to the Architecture of Integrated Information Systems, which is a wide-spread architecture for describing information systems and business processes inside one organization.
Definition
Interoperability
The automation of cross-organizational business processes is one of the most important trends of the information age. lnstead of a tight integration however, collaborating organizations rather strive for a loose coupling of their information systems. The information systems should be able to work together but retain as much independency as possible. This characteristic is also called interoperability. In the context of collaborating organizations, the term Business Interoperability was proposed. In comparison to technical interoperability notions, this term refers to the capability of autonomous organizations to execute a collaborative business process among them.
Information System
Information systems 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.[2]. This broad understanding is also confirmed by the often-referenced Zachman Framework.
Architecture of Interoperable Information System
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”[3]. 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[4]. Accordingly, an Architecture of Interoperable Information Systems is the building plan of an cross-organizational information system, which enables the organization to execute a collaborative business process among them.
== Reference Architecture