Claus Vetter

Data consistency in a heterogeneous IT landscape: a service oriented architecture approach

Consistent data across applications is the centerpiece for a successful integration of IT systems. Heterogeneous IT environments, as found in most mature industries, pose a challenge not only in integrating applications, but also in ensuring a consistent set of data being used. Based on an industry example we describe how data consistency is realized through data modeling concepts and a service-oriented architecture. A directory service and adapters handle the information transfer between applications using a global information model derived from an industry standard. Two use cases show how a synchronization service reacts and resolves data inconsistencies.

From order to production: a distinct view on integration of plant floor and business systems

With numerous software systems already in place in most production facilities, the challenges ahead lie in seamless integration of the IT landscape. One of the focus points in manufacturing and process industries is the connectivity between plant floor execution and business systems. Based on fundamental usage scenarios in an intra-enterprise production environment, interoperability categories are described. With different technical solutions presented, an exemplary study provides distinct views of an order-to-production integration.

Cooperation between utility IT systems: making data and applications work together

The ongoing optimization of work processes requires a close cooperation of IT systems within an enterprise. Originating from requirements of the utility industry we present a concept of interoperability of utility software systems and its corresponding data. Our solution builds on industry standards – Common Information Model (CIM) as a power system domain data model and SOAP as a standard for messaging and interface specification. Together they provide a basis for translating data between applications and are seamlessly bound to a communication infrastructure.

Data integrity in electric utility IT systems: a case study

Electric utilities are increasingly using IT applications, such as maintenance management and geographical information systems, in order to support their business processes, for instance repairs and construction, or asset management and network extension planning. However, performing these business processes efficiently often requires access to information from different sources, departments and IT systems. We have developed a concept for system integration for utilities, where the aim is to provide data integrity between operational automation and control systems and other information management systems. Guided by a use case, we demonstrate the interaction of a directory service, application adapters and a communication infrastructure on top a common data model and acting across application boundaries