Digitization is resulting in accelerated evolution of companies and business models. But how can systems understand each other?

Numerous companies and solution providers are driving forward global digitization. Comprehensive networking of the physical with the virtual world also connects highly diverse systems that are based on varying architectures and architecture frameworks. Since the monopoly status of a single system provider is neither realistic nor desirable, the development and ensuring of interoperability is a core task for the future sustainability of corporate ICT systems.

The advantage of heterogeneous ICT system landscapes for companies is that they can implement modules from multiple manufacturers, providing the best possible solution for the corresponding specifi c requirements. The widely varying needs of diff erent companies in turn mean that the future development of an all-in-one-system by one single solution provider seems unlikely.

Heterogeneous system landscapes, however, not only have advantages; they also represent signifi cant challenges for ICT managers. These individuals must fi rst identify which system components from a range of suppliers best meet their needs. The next step is to check interoperability – are the modules not only able to operate as stand-alone components, fulfi lling the required functions; can they also work together with other modules? And what is the best way to predict this, ideally before productive deployment?

The Architecture Frameworks competence cluster is studying these questions. A focus in this regard is the  documentation of enterprise architectures with all relevant information from the various company levels (strategy, business processes, ICT applications, ICT infrastructure). The objective of cross-hierarchy linking of information is to obtain a detailed overview of the interrelationships between the various divisions. This in turn makes it possible to identify which applications support what business processes. Using tools to analyze and visualize these interrelationships it is possible to develop a longterm ICT plan that facilitates step-by-step evolution of the ICT landscape into an ideal ICT architecture.

Another main focus is on the model-driven development of software architectures. Digitization is resulting in accelerated evolution of companies and business models, which in turn requires the ability to adjust and expand ICT systems quickly and cost-eff ectively. Flexibility is thus not only a functional requirement but is also increasingly becoming a business-critical economic factor. Model-driven software development attempts to respond to the need for increased flexibility by using generator technology.