Extending enterprise architecture with mobility

Abstract

Enterprise Architecture (EA) provides the basis for technology as well as business processes. Mobility enables real-time response to the ever-increasing demands from customers in a changing and competitive marketplace. Based on this background, this research investigates: how to make the best use of Mobile Technologies (MT) by integrating it into EA and thereby make it more effective and efficient? The core philosophies of extending EA with mobility constructs a fully Mobile Enterprise Architecture (M-EA), which includes M-EA framework, core M-EA 5+1 layers model, and M-EA migration plan. This research follows three steps: Step 1: Literature Review (LR) to construct the based knowledge of EA and MT. LR provides understanding of a gap between EA and M-EA, and also provides an understanding of the possible approaches of incorporating mobile applications into information systems design. At this stage, the researcher defined M-EA as "A structure for integrating business processes with mobile technology and IT, includes relationships among the System, Process, People, and Data in an organization". Second step is Case Study (CS) of construct initial model; CS by interviewing experienced enterprise architects, business analysts, Chief Information Officer (CIO) and IT executives. The results of these interviews on the benefits of MT on EA based on views and opinions from these experts provided three critical factors for mobility: 1. real-time response, 2. location-independence, and 3. personalization. The excepted M-EA outcomes from interviewees are the validation criteria for following AR projects as well. Last step is Action Research (AR) projects for validating initial M-EA model by undertaking three AR project with participating enterprises. First mobile communication company helped to extend M-EA 5+1 layers model to work on details of each model, second consulting company helped to upgrade the implementation migration plan, and third security / transaction processing company helped to validate M-EA on security specific aspect. The initial M-EA model has been validated through three AR project in order to establish a comprehensive M-EA. M-EA is usable across any origination to reduce the implementation risks and enhance the benefits of mobility to the enterprises, and also creates new opportunities for a flexible and dynamic enterprise in an agile business world.

Date of Award	2009
Original language	English