MODERN

The goal of MODERN project – Modelli Architetturali per la Definizione, l’Esecuzione e la Riconfigurazione di Processi User-Centric nell’Impresa 2.0 – is to introduce in enterprises new methods and models suitable for supporting process innovation and able to simplify the delivery of services, both to internal actors, both towards external actors according to the paradigm of Enterprise 2.0.

The objectives of the project are : the definition of architectural solutions (enable the execution and the reconfiguration of user-centric processes), methodologies and techniques for sharing of knowledge and collaboration in the Open Enterprise Edition2 and prototypes of architectural solutions. The project, with a strong connotation of Industrial Research, will cope a range of issues such as :  the definition, organisation and service delivery; access and composition user-oriented services; representation and organization knowledge; the “social” pattern for user interaction and sharing of knowledge; the reconfigurability of processes user-centric.

The approached research topics will be used for the modeling of new architectural solutions in order to give consistency to the paradigm, the standards, tools and technologies included in the concept of Enterprise 2.0. The solutions will converge in a model of Adaptive Enterprise Architecture3. The model creates an Extended Adaptive Enterprise Architecture considering the rising needs of the Social Network & Community and the Semantic Web. The expected results of the project are, therefore, multiple and closely related to each other.

The techniques of knowledge representation (inherited from the Semantic Web and included in defined patterns) will enable both interoperability and application cooperation forms, both an organization of knowledge produced and shared through social techniques (Web 2.0). Finally, in market area, innovation will involve in Adaptive Enterprise Architecture and Social Network & Community, for which the trend in investment by companies is growing.

The paradigm

The Enterprise 2.0 paradigm is gradually changing the way we think the Business Information Systems and consequently their borders and their own architecture: ability to focus on automation and support of structured processes, they are able to support activities for the production and processing of de-structured information. The focus has shifted on the individual, to improve their ability to use the resources provided by the enterprise ( defined as an ecosystem of people with their knowledge and skills, information systems, etc.) and the external environment, due to the difficulty to automate the activities above described. This process creates the best working conditions at every situation and through various facilities and channels. At the same time, the current state of the web called Web 2.0 has contributed greatly to develop in individuals, new needs of interaction with the services more increasingly usercentric, open and with limited control.

The challenge for companies is to avoid fragmentation in order to harmonize the new tools of communication and collaboration and integrate incrementally with the Information Systems business. Hence the need to reexamine the architecture of Information Systems business whose organizational models will not set aside, but adapted to today’s competitive environment. These emerging needs, can be grouped into six categories: social networking, knowledge networking, collaboration emerging reconfigurable adaptive, global mobility, open membership.

The project starts from the paradigm of Enterprise 2.0 and aims to extend and put it into practice through a series of models, methodologies, techniques and technologies to capitalize (in terms of reduction of cost and time of business processes and their reconfiguration) the intangible value of a company represented by the knowledge of internal and external actors such as customers (end users) that can contribute significantly (comments, opinions, ideas, etc.) to the improvement processes and services offered by the enterprise. In conclusion, the paradigm of Enterprise 2.0 proposes a number of technologies and patterns to be used in the enterprise and suggests changes to the organizational structure and the internal and external flows. The requirements of an architectural model able to support the basis of Enterprise 2.0 are only described. At the moment the definition of the described model, that will be the subject of study, is missing.