This week I want
to share some experiences form my client interactions, discussions and
workshops.
So, the term “System of Interaction” or ‘System of
Engagement” is setting into business lingua franca. So I wanted to share
some of my discussion on that that means and how I have approached it.
Essentially a “ System” can defined as a set of
components forming an integrated whole and a system of interaction is set of
components that are independent, interacting and above all Integrated. Coming
to think about it, Mobility – be it an app on the Mobile device or the bits
that emanate from a sensor in the field, meter in a home, a device in a car,
train etc are plugged into an enterprise system and channeled through the
business processes and eventually integrated as a “whole” business system. I have met with Heath care companies,
Automakers, and telecommunication providers, and each one of them is grappling
with achieving the “Whole” that can transform the business and take it to new
heights.
So,
understanding the business becomes imperative, for us to plug-in our thought
process and architect a design that can bridge the gaps to complete the “System”. I have taken the liberty
to define some concepts/products that can help us achieve that:
IIB – IBM Integration Bus V9.0 – Think of this as a glue that
integrates “Other” systems, that provides smart decisive traffic shaping. (Combined
ESB and WMB).
DP – IBM WebSphere Datapower Appliance
V6.0 - This of this as a
tool that provides the path to the glue (IIB) and ensures the flow or transport
is secure, scalable, Internet ready and conforms to standards.
API Mgmt – IBM API Management V2.0 – This of this as an external persona of
the business of “systems”. A platform that allows for a secure way to expose,
manage and channel the enterprise front. This is becoming increasingly
important in the seamless interaction space, giving enterprise full control and
flexibility in launching new business fronts.
MobileFirst Platform – IBM Worklight – A wholistic platform that allows to
integrate Mobile Application in a secure, seamless fashion to the enterprise
eco-system that may be comprised of the components above and legacy enterprise
systems.
IBM MessageSight – This of this as an appliance that is
of internet scale and capable of receiving and processing messages and acting
as a shock absorber for other back end processing systems.
Collectively I
think, these can be positioned as a foundation to any “System of Interaction”
or “System of engagement” discussion.
So why as a Mobile Solution Architect,
do I bring this up? I should
probably just stay focused on MobileFirst….:)
I bring them up
as I think these are related… to Mobilization of an enterprise. Going Mobile
has many technical underpinnings and to have a wholistic view is akin to having
a “Systems” view. So knowing these concepts and products at a conceptual level
IMHO is essential in a Mobile Conversation!
Have a great week ahead..
:)
Nitin
