In this chapter, the following content will be discussed: Component-based approach: reuse, integration, reuse of components not originally designed as reusable components, reuse of application patterns; level of integration can be chosen basic integration reusing the applications “as is”, data level (using relational database connector), implementation in COM.
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Chapter 18
A Framework for Integrating Business
Applications
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Overview
Motivation
Information Organizer
Practical Experiences
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Motivation
All information of importance is to be made available to
different categories of users.
Containing information which must be reused.
Another method to access and interrelate associated
information in different systems is called for.
Microsoft’s Active Directory: a tool for sharing information between different applications
IEC1346, OMG, IT4 Aspects, Objects
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Information Organizer
A product for integration of systems
Focuses on information systems
Introduces new concepts
Objects Aspects
Reuse!
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Introduction, cont.
Reuse of legacy systems
Data Applications
Application patterns
Another possibility of reuse
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Technical details
Builds on Microsoft technologies
Windows 2000 COM
Active Directory Security
Reuse again!
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Concepts
Business Object Model
The conceptual model Contains definitions of concepts
Information Organizer
The application
Business Object Framework
The implementation of Business Object Model in Information Organizer
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Business Object Model
The conceptual model
Introduces new concepts
Objects Aspects Relations Roles
Views
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Objects
The most central type of entity in the model
Objects model physical or logical objects
Represent entities in the applications to be integrated E.g “valve”, “pump”, “issue”, “workflow step”.
Little functionality in itself - related data is carried by its Aspects
Object Aspect
Aspect
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Aspects
Contains part of the functionality of an object
Often contain documents of some kind Are often associated with (legacy) applications
Can be added and removed dynamically
New types of aspects can be added when the system is ready to handle them
Object Aspect
Aspect
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Relations
Objects exist in relation to other objects
Typed or generic relations
Allow connection of objects with certain aspects New types can be defined
Used to structure the objects
Trees Arbitrary structures
Can be interpreted by a user or the system itself
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Views
Limits the visibility
Objects, aspects, and relations Different categories of users Different information interesting depending on context
Possibility to switch views
The selected item still in focus E.g locate an issue in a personal view, then switch to workflow view
Can be added dynamically
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Integration layer
Issue ment system
Document ment system
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Business Object Framework
The implementation of Business Object Model
The “core” of Information Organizer
Examples of tools and functions
Generic implementation of Aspects, Objects etc.
Configuration environment Development environment Runtime environment
Mechanisms for defining object and aspect types
Implement certain COM interfaces
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Information Organizer
Conventional three-layered architecture
User interface layer (three types) Business Logic layer (Business Object Framework) Data layer
Applications Documents Databases
Three types of user interfaces available
“Thin” client – standard browser
“Fat” client – installed code on client machines
“Ultra-thin” client – WAP client
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Information Organizer, cont.
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Application Patterns
Generic implementations of commonly occurring
patterns
Non-domain specific patterns
Three patterns are described
Business Process Support, “workflow”
Document Management Support Relational Database Connector
Applied on Information Organizer level
No support needed from participating applications
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Business Process Support
Adding “workflow” concept to systems
Configuration Runtime support
New object, aspect, and relation types
Processor Process Process Flow Target
“Above” original application level
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Business Process Support, cont.
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Document Management Support
Creates documents “on the fly”
Uses templates Inserts data from objects
Designed for Internet
Integrated with archive system
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Relational Database Connector
A means of retrieving data from a standard database
Generic implementation Builds on XML
Separates data from presentation
Each data row is represented by an object in BOF
Data still resides in the database Security on row level
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Relational Database Connector, cont.
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Practical Experiences
Component based development can be highly
profitable
A significant part of the development time was spent in
learning the full capabilities and impacts of existing
technologies and components.
Development of custom functions for the framework
actually occupied a smaller part of the total project time
One of the main reasons why verbal commitments to component-based development often fall short in
practice
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DS BO
Web-UI
Relations Properties Camera Help Change Services Delete
DB File DS
BO
Aspect
UI UI
Business
pad
Note-UI
dll
Relations Properties MyService Notepad Change Services Delete
DS = Data Storage
UI = User Interface
BO = Business Object Dll = Dynamic linked library
A three layered implementation architecture
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Template Actions
Performed Actions
Performed Actions
User 1
BO - instances of different business object types
A - instances of different aspect types
A workflow application
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Practical Experiences – cont.
Integrating modern, well-componentized applications is
easy and straightforward
Integrating monolithic applications is difficult and
cumbersome
A Generic front-end “connector”to database provide 60
to 80 percent of the original application functionality.
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Summary
Component-based approach
Reuse Integration Reuse of components not originally designed as reusable components
Reuse of application patterns
Level of integration can be chosen
Basic integration reusing the applications “as is”
Data level (using Relational Database Connector) Implementation in COM