Enterprise Architecture Model Transformation Engine

TL;DR

This paper introduces a flexible, generic transformation engine that converts enterprise architecture models between various languages, addressing heterogeneity issues in modeling frameworks for Industry 4.0 integration.

Contribution

It presents the first meta-model-independent translation approach, using pattern matching and logical rules, adaptable to diverse enterprise architecture frameworks.

Findings

Successfully applied to a large German IT service provider

Flexible and adaptable to multiple modeling languages

Demonstrated effectiveness in practical scenarios

Abstract

With increasing linkage within value chains, the IT systems of different companies are also being connected with each other. This enables the integration of services within the movement of Industry 4.0 in order to improve the quality and performance of the processes. Enterprise architecture models form the basis for this with a better buisness IT-alignment. However, the heterogeneity of the modeling frameworks and description languages makes a concatenation considerably difficult, especially differences in syntax, semantic and relations. Therefore, this paper presents a transformation engine to convert enterprise architecture models between several languages. We developed the first generic translation approach that is free of specific meta-modeling, which is flexible adaptable to arbitrary modeling languages. The transformation process is defined by various pattern matching techniques using a rule-based description language. It uses set theory and first-order logic for an intuitive description as a basis. The concept is practical evaluated using an example in the area of a large German IT-service provider. Anyhow, the approach is applicable between a wide range of enterprise architecture frameworks.