Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Peter Loos

Description

The goal of this course is to impart the fundamental concepts of information systems architectures. In information technology, especially in the areas of computers and more recently computer networks, architecture refers to both the process and the outcome of thinking up and specifying the overall structure, logical components, and the logical interrelationships of a system. An architecture can be regarded as a reference model.

Starting with an overview of the fundamental concepts of information systems architectures, this course focuses on the architecture of integrated information systems (ARIS). The ARIS architecture supports the optimization of business processes and the implementation of standard software systems (e.g. SAP R/3). The course explains the design and implementation of business processes with the ARIS method by using different modeling techniques, e.g. entity relationship model, UML class diagram, organization chart, event-driven process chain, and function tree.

Outline

1. Strategic Business Process Analysis
   1.1 Principles of process orientation
   1.2 Business process reengineering (BPR)
2. Fundamental concepts of information systems architectures
   2.1 The meaning of architecture
   2.2 Approaches to architecture
3. The architecture of integrated information systems
   3.1 Function view
   3.2 Organization view
   3.3 Data view
   3.4 Output view
   3.5 Relationships between the individual views

Literature

Scheer, A.-W.: ARIS - Business Process Frameworks, 3rd ed.; Springer 1999, ISBN: 3540658343.

Learning Objectives

Upon completing this course successfully, students will be able to:

1. explain the principles for process orientation and the concept of BPR (business process reengineering),
2. understand the interaction of business processes and corporate strategies,
3. define and explain the meaning of architecture, and understand the potentials of architectures,
4. distinguish between important approaches to architectures,
5. describe and explain the architecture of integrated information systems (ARIS) and understand the value of integration,
6. explain the concept of the different views of ARIS (function view, organization view, data view, output view) and the relationships between those individual views,
7. understand and interpret the models and methods conveyed in ARIS,
8. use those models and methods to define an overall information systems architecture.

Method of teaching

Lessons (teaching units): This course is a hypermedia course (type 2) based on material from a textbook, divided into lessons, and supplemented by multimedia animations and explanatory text for all topics.

Testcenter: Each lesson is supplemented by an extensive practical part consisting of:

• Assignment sheets for students to test their knowledge even offline and check the answers. Exemplary solutions are provided for download,

• Multimedia exercises giving the students the possibility to check their knowledge online. These exercises contain multiple-choice tests, question-answer-scenarios as well as drag-and-drop exercises.

Online textbook: The above textbook by Professor Scheer is available online in a hypermedia version.

Communication: Students can get in touch with other students to study together, to discuss subject matters, or to send an e-mail to the teletutor.

Requirements

No prerequisites. However, some experience and a general understanding of the problems in the field of information systems is helpful.

Credits

6.0 credit points