Chapter 5: Interoperability and Security Issues

Title: Model-Driven Architecture to enhance interoperability between product applications

Author(s): Néjib Moalla, Hanène Chettaoui, Yacine Ouzrout, Frédéric Noel, Abdelaziz Bouras

Address: LIESP Laboratory, University of Lyon, CERRAL/IUT-Lumière 160 Boulevard de l|Université, 69500, Bron, France | Laboratory G-SCOP, INPGrenoble – UJF - CNRS BP53, 38041 Grenoble Cedex, France | LIESP Laboratory, University of Lyon, CERRAL/IUT-Lumière 160 Boulevard de l|Université, 69500, Bron, France | Laboratory G-SCOP, INPGrenoble – UJF - CNRS BP53, 38041 Grenoble Cedex, France | LIESP Laboratory, University of Lyon, CERRAL/IUT-Lumière 160 Boulevard de l|Université, 69500, Bron, France

Reference: International Conference on Product Lifecycle Management 2008 pp. 380 - 392

Abstract/Summary: Throughout product lifecycle, the definition of product data is confronted to the diversity of the business activities and influenced by their specific information systems. This paper is related to the analysis of technical and functional product data exchange solutions throughout product lifecycle. In such context, the communication between partners is ensured by setting agreements, methodologies, and adopting standards. However, these communication issues have to deal with systems heterogeneity. We will mainly focus on two components of the lifecycle: Design and Supply chain. Design teams must collaborate effectively with their internal and external partners to develop competitive products. Product data must be reviewed according to the product specifications throughout its supply chain to ensure the quality of product data definition. In both cases, the interoperability between computer systems and applications presents a vital issue and an important challenge to address. Today, the OMG's model-driven architecture (MDA) makes available an open approach to write specifications and develop applications, separating the business and application functionalities from the platform technology. We will focus on the use of MDA technologies to improve the interoperability and illustrate its application through two case studies related to the Design and Supply Chains. The first case study shows how to enhance the interoperability between design experts exchanging heterogeneous CAD/CAM models and using the formulation of business knowledge throughout a Model-Driven Architecture approach. The second case study illustrates the contribution of a model-driven interoperability approach to ensure data quality in the logistic perimeter of the vaccine supply chain.

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