The bigger picture: an eBusiness Framework

Of course by now you know...an architecture is a guiding framework, a strategy, or a blueprint for delivering the applications and information required by and organization.  Sometimes we use the term architecture to describe the way individual software components interact (micro).  Sometimes we use the term to describe how a system fits together (macro).  And always, the meaning of the word architecture depends on the context, or perspective, in which it is used.

For example, when we say IT architecture we think of:

• Technical computing platform
• Information management platform
• Communications platform
• Structures and controls that dictate IT use
• Applications that utilize the platform

An eBusiness architecture is similar, but its focus is on ebusiness applications and all their supporting infrastructure. This is the area we're most concerned about here. A major function of an architecture is to define how the various components of the environment fit together.

It helps to think of an 'enterprise' ebusiness architecture like you would your favourite food dish.

Architecture >>> Recipe + dining experience
Business >>> The total effect and experience of the dish and dining experience
Information >>> What ingredients are needed? What steps? What procedures?
Application >>> What implements, cookware, devices, etc.?
Infrastructure >>> What appliances, furniture, assets?

Sticking with the food analogy, the options for deploying an ebusiness architecture vary much like our choices of dinner plans. We can make something from scratch (custom development), we can make something from a package or can (packaged solutions), and we can order in or we can eat out (outsourcing and managed services). Typically an ebusiness architecture will be made of elements of all of these. Think back to our discussion on eBusiness development options.

There are many different ways to express an ebusiness architecture. Large IT vendors such as IBM, Microsoft, and SUN Microsystems, have developed their own ways to illustrate an architecture. We'll take a look at a few simple approaches here.

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