Denna rapport behandlar ett tämligen outforskat delområde inom elektroniskt handel, nämligen integration av affärssystem och e-handelssystem. Huvudfrågan i denna rapport går ut på att undersöka hur företag har integrerat sitt affärssystem med sitt e-handelssystem. För att besvara huvudfrågan delades den upp i tre delfrågor. Dessa sökte besvara dels på vilken nivå inom Enterprise Application Integration som företagen hade integrerat systemen, dels vilka integrationstekniker företagen använder för att integrera systemen samt dels vilka effekter integrationen medfört för företagen. För att besvara problemställningen utfördes telefonintervjuer med fyra företag. Resultatet av undersökningen var att samtliga företag hade integrerat på Enterprise Application Integrations datanivå, vilket även var den nivå de hade börjat med att integrera. De integrationstekniker som användes varierade. Det var dock inte särskilt vanligt att använda nyare integrationstekniker. Integrationen medförde genomgående positiva effekter för företagen, även om vissa problem kvarstod. Inga större nya problem uppkom dock.

In this diploma thesis, I focus on the application integration. Main goal of this thesis is comparison of integration platforms of the biggest vendors on the market, there are products of companies Microsoft, IBM, Oracle and SAP. I compare these products according criteria, which I had chosen. I use mainly own experiences with the products to achieve a goal. These products I compare with respect to general, technological and possibility of using point of view. My work can be as a source for decision, which of the integration platforms is optimal to use. Then I describe one of them - Microsoft Biztalk Server with simple example. The next goal of this work is to summarize the theory of application integration, where I describe the possibilities of integration's application from the simplest till the most complicated. The next goal of this work is making a methodology in Biztalk Server, which will contain concrete solutions and techniques in different situations. This methodology can help developers and analysts to make better proposals, more convenient solutions and beware of needless problems.

This work deals with application integration in telecommunications companies. It concerns the areas of project management, software development, enterprise architecture and system integration. The theoretical part is verified in a real practical project that was realized in cooperation with a major telecommunications company operating in the Czech Republic. The aim of this work is to synthesize available information relating to application integration and apply this knowledge within the telecommunications company. Another aim is to map the current methodology that can be used in integration projects and to compare various approaches to the methodology. The final objective is to verify the theoretical knowledge in real projects realized in cooperation with the telecommunications operator. This objective involves an analysis of the current state of the integration system and to realize the initial phase of the project according to the chosen methodology. Objectives are met by systematic synthesis of information from available resources and by supplementing author's knowledge and practical experience. The contribution of this work lies in the summary of the basic theory of application integration and its subsequent integration into telecommunications business. Another contribution is the explana-tion of the development of a new version of OptiNet, realized for a telecommunications operator, including activities defined in the selected methodology.

O desenvolvimento de trabalhos em grupo tornou-se uma tarefa cada vez mais comum nos dias atuais. Com isso, houve também um crescimento na utilização e no desenvolvimento de aplicações computacionais que implementam os processos de apoio à cooperação entre as pessoas, as quais possibilitam um considerável ganho de produtividade nas tarefas realizadas pelo grupo. A integração de várias dessas aplicações pode resultar em um acréscimo de funcionalidades, aumentando as possibilidades de uso e a flexibilidade para o usuário. Com o objetivo de agregar funcionalidades e melhorar os potenciais usos dos sistemas de software, aplicações integradas possuem, em geral, mais funcionalidades e maiores possibilidades de uso do que aplicações isoladas. Assim, foi desenvolvido o WS4CSCW (Web Services for Computer Supported Cooperative Work), um Web Service que tem como objetivo facilitar a integração de ferramentas e sistemas CSCW. O WS4CSCW permite o gerenciamento de usuários, grupos, recursos, permissões e papéis de usuários e grupos, disponibilizando funcionalidades para aplicações voltadas ao trabalho em grupo, bem como para facilitar a integração entre essas aplicações, permitindo um co-funcionamento mais direto, consistente e coeso. / Nowadays, the achievement of tasks made in groups has become a habitual concern by people. In this way, a rise of using and developing computer programs that support cooperative work process has been noted. The programs aim to provide productivity improvements on work made by groups. Integrating the software could result in increasing functionalities, augmenting both its use possibilities and flexibility. Integrated softwares have, in general, more features and use's potential than isolated applications. As a result, WS4CSCW (Web Services for Computer Supported Cooperative Work) -- a Web Service to assist CSCW application's integration was developed. WS4CSCW allows management of users, groups, resources, permissions, and user and group roles, by making available functionalities to applications for group work, making easy the integration among these applications and providing a straighter, more cohesive and consistent cooperation.

Enterprise systems and applications are getting more and more complex. In 30 years computing has transformed from big single machines to highly heterogeneous systems. Businesses are today depending on a super-sized mixed bag of applications that have been introduced over the years. Businesses have much to gain by obtaining a holistic view of their data and integrating business processes that are spread over different systems. This master of thesis explores critical success factors (CSF) for enterprise application integration (EAI) from the perspective of developing new application into such environment. Based on current research in the field of EAI, and experiences gained from a real-life scenario the report argues for the importance of integration and what the most influential factors for success are. Among many significantly important factors, two main trends emerge as especially important: developer guidance and documentation, and integration functionality. The former leads to success by focusing on developer productivity through the use scorecards, principles and guidance, well-specified interfaces, and skilled EAI employees; and the latter by extending integration functionality to include many-tomany integration strategies and workflows to model the business.

<p>The global business environment of today requires companies to be flexible, in order to quickly react and respond to the ever-changing market. Business-to-business application integration (B2BAI) can be seen as a tool which enables companies to stay competitive and it is often regarded by the theory as a must for survival in today’s fierce business environment. Eventhough the employment of a B2BAI strategy can generate a lot of advantages and opportunities for companies operating within today’s global business environment, there are still many challenges and problems to overcome in order to have a successful B2BAI solution.</p><p>Based on this we found it highly interesting to see whether the theories positive outlook on B2BAI could be supported by an empirical research. In this essay we have therefore studied and identified the underlying reasons and the contributing factors to why or why not companies choose to integrate externally, from the perspective of IT-consulting agencies. Besides this, a description and an explanation regarding the concepts covered by the field of B2BAI have been made in order to facilitate the understanding for the reader. As our intention primarily was to investigate the reasons behind and the contributing factors to why or why not companies choose to integrate, we chose to make qualitative interviews. This, as we were in need of information which described the course of events and expressed individual opinions, in order to achieve the purpose of the essay. Regarding the selection of research objects for the research, the population consists of all IT-consulting agencies in Sweden. The research has however been delimited to a selection of the population, where the sample consists of three IT-consulting agencies located in Jönköping, with experience of B2BAI.</p><p>One of the most interesting discoveries we have made in this research is that the empirical findings agree with the theory in regards of that globalization is a central factor contributing to why companies chose to invest in B2BAI. However, the respondents do not discuss all the advantages of B2BAI mentioned in the theory and emphasize slightly different underlying reasons for choosing to employ a B2BAI strategy. The most central reason for not choosing to employ a B2BAI strategy was according to the respondents due to the lack of knowledge regarding issues relating to the phenomenon and this have not been discussed in the theoretical framework. The challenges with B2BAI stated in the theory, were on the other hand not regarded as issues contributing to not choosing to implement B2BAI. We are under the impression that the advantages and the oppor-tunities with B2BAI carry more weight then the challenges, as the essays empirical findings indicate that the demand for B2BAI today is high and constantly growing.</p> / <p>Dagens globala affärsvärld kräver att företag ska vara flexibla för att snabbt kunna reagera och anpassa sig till den ständigt föränderliga marknaden. Business-to-business application integration (B2BAI) kan ses som ett verktyg som hjälper företag att vara konkurrenskraftiga och i teorier som behandlar ämnet beskrivs det ofta som ett måste för att överleva i dagens tuffa affärsklimat. Trots att tillämpandet av en B2BAI strategi kan generera ett flertal fördelar så finns det fortfarande många utmaningar och problem att bemästra för att kunna få en framgångsrik B2BAI lösning.</p><p>Baserat på detta fann vi det högst intressant att undersöka huruvida teorins positiva bild av B2BAI kunde stödjas av en empirisk studie. I denna uppsats har vi därför undersökt och identifierat de underliggande skälen och de bidragande faktorerna till varför företag väljer eller inte väljer att integrera externt, utifrån ett IT-konsultföretag perspektiv. Utöver detta ges en beskrivning av och förklaring till de begrepp som kunskapsområdet B2BAI innefattar för att underlätta förståelsen för läsaren. Eftersom vår avsikt huvudsakligen var att undersöka skälen bakom och de bidragande faktorerna till varför företag väljer eller inte väljer att integrera, valde vi att genomföra kvalitativa intervjuer. Detta då vi hade ett behov av information som beskrev händelser och uttryckte personliga åsikter för att kunna uppfylla syftet med denna uppsats. Vad gäller urvalet av undersökningsobjekt består populationen av alla IT-konsultföretag i Sverige. Undersökningen har dock avgränsats till tre IT-konsultföretag belägna i Jönköping med erfarenhet av B2BAI.</p><p>En av de mest intressanta upptäckterna vi har gjort i denna undersökning är att empirin överensstämmer med teorin beträffande att globaliseringen är en central bidragande faktor till varför företag väljer att investera i B2BAI. Respondenterna diskuterar dock inte alla fördelar med B2BAI som omnämns i teorin och framhåller delvis andra underliggande skäl till varför företag väljer att använda an B2BAI strategi. Det mest centrala skälet till varför företag inte väljer att implementera en B2BAI strategi var enligt respondenterna på grund av bristande kunskaper beträffande frågor relaterade till fenomenet och detta har inte diskuterats i det teoretiska ramverket. Utmaningarna med B2BAI omnämnda i teorin ansågs emellertid inte vara bidragande faktorer till att inte välja att implementera B2BAI. Vi har fått intrycket att de fördelar och möjligheter som B2BAI medför är av större vikt för företag än de utmaningar och problem som existerar, då uppsatsens empiriska studie pekar på att efterfrågan för B2BAI är stor idag och kon-stant växande.</p>

The global business environment of today requires companies to be flexible, in order to quickly react and respond to the ever-changing market. Business-to-business application integration (B2BAI) can be seen as a tool which enables companies to stay competitive and it is often regarded by the theory as a must for survival in today’s fierce business environment. Eventhough the employment of a B2BAI strategy can generate a lot of advantages and opportunities for companies operating within today’s global business environment, there are still many challenges and problems to overcome in order to have a successful B2BAI solution. Based on this we found it highly interesting to see whether the theories positive outlook on B2BAI could be supported by an empirical research. In this essay we have therefore studied and identified the underlying reasons and the contributing factors to why or why not companies choose to integrate externally, from the perspective of IT-consulting agencies. Besides this, a description and an explanation regarding the concepts covered by the field of B2BAI have been made in order to facilitate the understanding for the reader. As our intention primarily was to investigate the reasons behind and the contributing factors to why or why not companies choose to integrate, we chose to make qualitative interviews. This, as we were in need of information which described the course of events and expressed individual opinions, in order to achieve the purpose of the essay. Regarding the selection of research objects for the research, the population consists of all IT-consulting agencies in Sweden. The research has however been delimited to a selection of the population, where the sample consists of three IT-consulting agencies located in Jönköping, with experience of B2BAI. One of the most interesting discoveries we have made in this research is that the empirical findings agree with the theory in regards of that globalization is a central factor contributing to why companies chose to invest in B2BAI. However, the respondents do not discuss all the advantages of B2BAI mentioned in the theory and emphasize slightly different underlying reasons for choosing to employ a B2BAI strategy. The most central reason for not choosing to employ a B2BAI strategy was according to the respondents due to the lack of knowledge regarding issues relating to the phenomenon and this have not been discussed in the theoretical framework. The challenges with B2BAI stated in the theory, were on the other hand not regarded as issues contributing to not choosing to implement B2BAI. We are under the impression that the advantages and the oppor-tunities with B2BAI carry more weight then the challenges, as the essays empirical findings indicate that the demand for B2BAI today is high and constantly growing. / Dagens globala affärsvärld kräver att företag ska vara flexibla för att snabbt kunna reagera och anpassa sig till den ständigt föränderliga marknaden. Business-to-business application integration (B2BAI) kan ses som ett verktyg som hjälper företag att vara konkurrenskraftiga och i teorier som behandlar ämnet beskrivs det ofta som ett måste för att överleva i dagens tuffa affärsklimat. Trots att tillämpandet av en B2BAI strategi kan generera ett flertal fördelar så finns det fortfarande många utmaningar och problem att bemästra för att kunna få en framgångsrik B2BAI lösning. Baserat på detta fann vi det högst intressant att undersöka huruvida teorins positiva bild av B2BAI kunde stödjas av en empirisk studie. I denna uppsats har vi därför undersökt och identifierat de underliggande skälen och de bidragande faktorerna till varför företag väljer eller inte väljer att integrera externt, utifrån ett IT-konsultföretag perspektiv. Utöver detta ges en beskrivning av och förklaring till de begrepp som kunskapsområdet B2BAI innefattar för att underlätta förståelsen för läsaren. Eftersom vår avsikt huvudsakligen var att undersöka skälen bakom och de bidragande faktorerna till varför företag väljer eller inte väljer att integrera, valde vi att genomföra kvalitativa intervjuer. Detta då vi hade ett behov av information som beskrev händelser och uttryckte personliga åsikter för att kunna uppfylla syftet med denna uppsats. Vad gäller urvalet av undersökningsobjekt består populationen av alla IT-konsultföretag i Sverige. Undersökningen har dock avgränsats till tre IT-konsultföretag belägna i Jönköping med erfarenhet av B2BAI. En av de mest intressanta upptäckterna vi har gjort i denna undersökning är att empirin överensstämmer med teorin beträffande att globaliseringen är en central bidragande faktor till varför företag väljer att investera i B2BAI. Respondenterna diskuterar dock inte alla fördelar med B2BAI som omnämns i teorin och framhåller delvis andra underliggande skäl till varför företag väljer att använda an B2BAI strategi. Det mest centrala skälet till varför företag inte väljer att implementera en B2BAI strategi var enligt respondenterna på grund av bristande kunskaper beträffande frågor relaterade till fenomenet och detta har inte diskuterats i det teoretiska ramverket. Utmaningarna med B2BAI omnämnda i teorin ansågs emellertid inte vara bidragande faktorer till att inte välja att implementera B2BAI. Vi har fått intrycket att de fördelar och möjligheter som B2BAI medför är av större vikt för företag än de utmaningar och problem som existerar, då uppsatsens empiriska studie pekar på att efterfrågan för B2BAI är stor idag och kon-stant växande.

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) is an integration framework that encapsulates a set of services and technologies that forms a middle tier to enable integration of varied systems and applications across the enterprise. It is a mechanism to combine processes, software, standards, and hardware to seamlessly integrate two or more enterprise application systems allowing them to operate as a unit. There are various challenges with EAI in terms of the approach, the architecture, implementation and its operation in a business environment. Even more so in a Third-party logistics (3PL) environment, where its function is directly associated with the performance of the business. Third Party Logistic is a supply chain service provider that carries out supply chain activities on behalf of a client, also known as a shipper, for part, or all of their supply chain management. However, regardless of the value put on the 3PL, IT capabilities shippers are still not satisfied with the performance, and there are no specific guidelines for EAI usage in 3PL environment. The goal of this study was to design an Enterprise Application Integration framework for Third-Party logistics.

Retaining business value in a legacy commercial enterprise resource planning system today often entails more than just maintaining the software to preserve existing functionality. This type of system tends to represent a significant capital investment that may not be easily scrapped, replaced, or re-engineered without considerable expense. A legacy system may need to be frequently extended to impart new behavior as stakeholder business goals and technical requirements evolve. Legacy ERP systems are growing in prevalence and are both expensive to maintain and risky to evolve. Humans are the driving factor behind the expense, from the engineering costs associated with evolving these types of systems to the labor costs required to operate the result. Autonomic computing is one approach that addresses these challenges by imparting self-adaptive behavior into the evolved system. The contribution of this dissertation aims to add to the body of knowledge in software engineering some insight and best practices for development approaches that are normally hidden from academia by the competitive nature of the retail industry. We present a formal architectural pattern that describes an asynchronous, low-complexity, and autonomic approach. We validate the pattern with two real-world commercial case studies and a reengineering simulation to demonstrate that the pattern is repeatable and agnostic with respect to the operating system, programming language, and communication protocols. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Designing and developing enterprise applications is a complex and resource intensive process, as it often must address thousands of requirements. At the same time, the software architecture of most enterprise applications at their core have many features and structures in common. Designers from different teams do not normally share design elements because of the competitive and proprietary nature of development, and enterprise applications design and development teams end up re-inventing the wheel when tackling a new product. My objective is to formulate new design patterns for enterprise application architectures that assist software architects with reusable solutions to improve design quality and productivity. I achieve this by presenting seven patterns, each providing a solution to a specific challenge or a problem that is common to many enterprise applications. The Business Object Pattern provides a generic approach to design extensible Business Objects and their frameworks for enterprise applications. The pattern covers a number of concepts, including the Dynamic business object, the Static business object, constraints for validity, editability, and attribute visibility, as well as the mechanisms for workflow. The Business Object Life Cycle Pattern introduces the concept of stages which comprise a business object’s life cycle, and their relation to the business object’s integrity during that life cycle. The Simple Change History Pattern provides a concept of enforcing record keeping of the owner and date of the last change performed on a given business data object. The Business Data Object Versioning Pattern offers a solution by introducing a new version of a given business data object which allows for preservation of the original data. The Change History Record Pattern defines a solution for cases when there is a need to capture detailed information about the changes performed on a given business object, such as who made the changes, when, and what changes were made. The Permission Based Granular Access Control Pattern offers a basic approach for access control to objects and their attributes. Finally, the Money Object Pattern offers a language neutral approach to internationalization and globalization of business applications which require multi-currency capability. It is hoped that applying these patterns will provide many advantages, ranging from quicker delivery times to a more reliable software, and ultimately help achieve a systematic approach to designing and building complex enterprise applications. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection