The ATHENA Interoperability Framework

Abstract

Abstract. In this paper we present results from the ATHENA Integrated Project in defining the ATHENA Interoperability Framework (AIF) for enterprise applications and software systems. The AIF provides a compound framework and associated reference architecture for capturing the research elements and solutions to interoperability issues that address the problem in a holistic way. The AIF also provides an associated methodological framework which describes the approach towards interoperability from the decision to evaluate collaboration until solution maintenance, and the reference guidelines for the adoption of the reference architecture.

Specifications and development of interoperability solution dedicated to multiple expertise collaboration in a design framework

“…Historically, this interoperability layer was wrongly considered -in the industry-as the most important as underlined by [25]: "Interoperability should not only be considered a property of ICT systems, but also concerns the business processes and the business context of an enterprise". To perform this interoperability two kinds of approaches can be used.…”

Organizational Interoperability Supported through Goal Alignment with BMM and Service Collaboration with SoaML

“…These organizations may have different internal structures and processes. The model shown above is derived from the ATHENA Interoperability Framework [5], and illustrates interoperability between two systems; in the same (intra) enterprise or in different (inter) enterprises. Each system is described by enterprise models (i.e., context) and different viewpoints (business, process, service, information) on different abstraction levels.…”

Towards enterprise interoperability service utilities

“…The EI services will be realised according to the interoperability dimensions in the COIN EI Services Framework, which is based on the ATHENA Interoperability Framework (AIF) [6] and harmonised with the European Interoperability Framework (EIF) [7] in the areas of technical, semantic and organisational interoperability. The AIF defines an interoperability reference model (see Figure 1) that focuses on the alignment and exchange of provided and required artefacts of collaborating enterprises.…”