![](bg7.png)
Resources-Plant. Each Master entity is related in 1-
to-N associations to a set of Transaction entities. The
subsequent model of linked entities is obtained
through a manual linkage (Figure 8). The links
typically reflect a multiple association of a
transaction entity to master entities. In our case
study this happens for BOM and ORDER (both
linked to PART and SUPPLIER) and for LUN
(linked to PART and MAP. Though links are
identified by domain knowledge, we are planning to
develop a guidance that helps the analyst in
identifying potential cross-domain links already at
strategic level and implementing them at conceptual
level.
Finally the analyst will refine the schema by
well-known ER elementary operations (e.g.
specialization, N-ary relationships, etc…).
4 CONCLUSIONS
We have illustrated a technique and a tool that
enables to design a complete and consistent
Enterprise Information Architecture from the
strategic level down to the conceptual level. The
approach is consistent as is based on robust models.
Actually strategic modelling is based on a normative
framework (SIRE, Motta, 2008) that generalizes
some concepts extensively tested by eTOM SID
(TMForum, 2005). In turn the conceptual level uses
the universally known ER notation. The approach is
complete as it provides simple rules to map the
strategic level onto the conceptual level.
Furthermore the approach can be usefully
integrated in more general frameworks such as
TOGAF and it is supported by a open source tool
based on the Eclipse suite.
Future developments include extended coverage,
tool enhancement and extended validation.
The coverage will be extended by the
introduction of a bottom-up mapping from
conceptual to strategic level. This mapping could
help IT management to extract a strategic view from
the current heterogeneous and diverse databases. A
very similar research direction is to structure a
strategic information architecture from unstructured
text documents (e.g. manuals, organization charts,
interviews and alike).
The tool enhancement will include the
integration of the conceptual modelling tool with
logical modelling tools and, also, guidance in model-
to-model transformation.
Finally we are planning to apply out approach to
other real-life cases mainly in service and
government sectors.
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