Services-based Orientation
The
Proact Toolkit uses a services-based orientation for enterprise modeling.
A fundamental principle of good architecture is to define modular
components or "building blocks" that have well-defined capabilities
and interfaces that can be decoupled. A services-based orientation
takes this principle another step by using Services to describe the
capabilities represented by these components. These services can then
be called upon as needed to support new scenarios and changing demands.
The
Business View creates relationships between business partners (suppliers,
channels, shippers, customers, etc.) that are based on services
that flow between them (i.e., provision of goods, selling of goods,
transport, installation and repair). This approach is very useful
in identifying cross enterprise collaboration opportunities, evaluating
in-sourcing and out-sourcing scenarios, and assessing integration
synergies with merger and acquisition candidates.
The
Operational View is based on functional representations of essential
operational capabilities. These functions are linked by the services
they provide to other functions or external entities. This provides
a powerful way to view the internal capabilities of the enterprise
since the services focus on the purpose and results of the function.
These Service Functions provide clean delineations for designing
process interfaces, establishing meaningful performance metrics,
and aligning functional accountability throughout the organization.
The
Systems View identifies systems and their components that can be
also be represented by the services they provide. For example, an
Order Management System will provide services such as "capture
new order", "provide order status", and "update
shipping instructions." This technique for architecting systems
supports rapid assembly and integration of new capabilities and
allows for dynamic changes to operational scenarios through the
automation of selected workflow management.
The Technology View is also modeled as a set of components that provide services to applications and users of the IT Infrastructure, as well as to each other. Examples include messaging services, directory services, authentication services, encryption services, and print services. This provides a rich and deep set of reusable services that are shared across the community of applications and users.
This service-based orientation applied throughout the Proact Framework is the basis for creating enterprise agility. The vast majority of the required services can be pre-planned and managed as modular capabilities. These capabilities can then be assessed based on services provided and service delivery performance. New or changing requirements or shifts in demand can then be traced to the affected capabilities.
Looking at a high level segment of Warehouse Operations, Proact's modeling methodology establishes links to other related functions by the flow of services between them.
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