With the increasing demand to integrate new technologies (e.g. SMAC (Social, Mobile, Analytics, Cloud)) within E2E processes, there is a need for an integration platform, which can orchestrate E2E processes. The integration platform will reduce the time spend on the integration / interfacing of applications and improve the E2E monitoring of the applications. The ADM integration platform consists out of the following tool-set elements:
1 BPM modeling tool for the definition of the E2E processes
The Business Process Architecture (BPA) is modeled including the E2E processes. The FRIME objects (Forms, Reports, Interfaces, Master data, Enhancements) are modeled and included within the enterprise architecture models (TOGAF). Every KPI is linked to an E2E process for the management of the E2E process performance.
2 Business Process Management Systems (BPMS)
Within the BPMS layer the E2E processes are transformed to an executable format (e.g. BPMN) including the enterprise services (WSDL). The BPMS server can orchestrate the E2E processes across multiple platforms and applications. The BPMS server can react on incoming events and generate pro-active alerts if needed. Within the BPMS layer also the data mappings for the different message types are defined so the data can be exchanged between the different platforms.
3 Enterprise Service Bus (ESB)
The ESB manages all the message exchanges between the different platforms and uses formats like IDOC, XML, API’s. Also the message events that are generated by social applications (CEP (Complex Event Processing)) and the message interaction with mobile applications (ODATA), can be managed by the ESB.
4 Master Data Management (MDM)
With the MDM application, the data definitions across the E2E processes can be standardized and propagated to multiple (ERP) platforms and applications in order to facilitate the data mapping and the re-use of the correct master data.
5 Application Lifecycle Management (ALM)
With the ALM platform all applications can be documented, tested and maintained. The operational E2E system issues and the E2E process performance can be monitored using standard KPI’s/ PPI’s. These ALM KPI’s are stored in a BI data base within the ALM platform and can be used within the business model cockpit.
6 Business Model Cockpit (BMC)
A business model can be aligned with all E2E processes and the associated KPI’s. The KPI’s measures are gathered from all tools within the ADM integration platform and stored within a BI data base. A business model cockpit is suited to perform E2E process analysis and can be used for E2E business value analysis and project portfolio management. The business model cockpit can also be used to support ‘design thinking’ and ‘value engineering’ workshops with actual ROI calculations
Status of the ADM integration platform within many companies:
Currently the tools are used by different teams with different unaligned objectives. These teams should assure the interoperability between the tools. However not many companies have implemented a fully interoperable ADM platform, the reasons are listed below;
1 The tools are implemented by different teams which have their own way of working (ITIL) and are not aware nor willing to align their standards and tools.
2 The tools are from different vendors that causes integration problems for the exchange of data between the tools due to different data architectures .
3 The application portfolio is too complex or outdated to integrate with the ADM integration platform and application rationalization is needed.
4 The E2E processes and Enterprise Architecture models are not defined in enough detail and cannot be integrated with the applications and ADM integration platform.
The roadmap for the ADM integration platform:
Every company needs an agreed ADM integration platform to integrate and rationalize the application portfolio and for the enablement of business innovation projects.
The ADM integration platform is essential to orchestrate the expanding complex landscape in which multiple types of applications must be integrated, both on and off-premises.
Every company must decide whether their design principles for the interoperable ADM integration platform will be based on ‘best of breed’ or on ’best of suite’.
The ADM team should facilitate and align the design decisions made by the different teams / business units and maintain the roadmap for the ADM integration platform.