Assessing the integration of information system components

ABSTRACT

This paper presents formal approaches for assessing the integration of information system components. They were developed to support decisions in the strategic management of information systems. The fulfillment of integration requirements, the dependency of information system components on each other, and the heterogeneity of the integration infrastructure are the major assessment criteria.The meta-model 3LGM²A is the (semi-)formal base for methods introduced here. The fulfillment of integration requirements is checked by matching sets of application components that have specific requirements (requirements domains) with sets of application components that exchange data or call operations related to the requirements (communication domains). Requirements categories support the handling of the numerous specific requirements.For assessing the complexity of an information system or its subsystems the figures degree of informational dependence, degree of functional dependence, and degree of heterogeneity are defined.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.4 Distributed Systems
          Subjects: Distributed applications

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
      H.1.0 General

General Terms:
Design, Economics, Management, Measurement, Theory

Keywords:
3LGM², 3LGM²A, assessment, dependency, heterogeneity, information management, integration, interoperability, requirements