A Service-Based Approach for Data Integration Based on Business Process Models

Abstract

Business-IT alignment is gaining more importance in enterprises, and is already considered essential for efficiently achieving enterprise goals. This led organizations to follow Enterprise Architecture approaches, with the Information Architecture as one of its pillars. Information architecture aims at providing an integrated and holistic view of the business information, and this requires applying a data integration approach. However, despite several works on data integration research, the problem is far from being solved. The highly heterogeneous computer environments present new challenges such as distinct DBMSs, distinct data models, distinct schemas and distinct semantics, all in the same scenario. On the other hand, new issues in enterprise environment, such as the emergence of BPM and SOA approaches, contribute to a new solution for the problem. This paper presents a service-based approach for data integration, in which the services are derived from the organization's business process models. The proposed approach comprises a framework of different types of services (data services, concept services), a method for data integration service identification from process models, and a metaschema needed for the automation and customization of the proposed approach in a specific organization. We focus on handling heterogeneities with regard to different DBMSs and differences among data models, schemas and semantics.

An architecture to support information sources discovery through semantic search

“…A service-based approach for data integration is proposed in [11] and it is supported by a method for domain-dependent services identification. It uses business process model glossary to identify concepts and data sources and its metadata schema describes domaindependent services, divided into data services and concept services, which act as a common data access interface.…”

“…The metadata schema described in [11] was used in the experiment. We included in the metadata schema the priority among data sources from the same data concept as a data source quality element.…”

Transparency in Information Systems

“…Such models are an important tool to promote the dissemination of knowledge about processes, information and continuous improvement of production and services. In this regard, researchers discuss and propose approaches on how to identify requirements when dealing with process automation support [Araujo et al 2005], [ Bittencourt 2008], [Magdaleno et al 2008], [Diirr et al 2009] and [Py et al 2009]. Such approaches can also be viewed as structures that support visibility and transparency not only of organizational processes, but also of tools for identifying relevant characteristics to promote transparency of information [Cappelli et al 2007].…”