Model Driven Interoperability

Model Driven Interoperability (MDI) is a methodological framework, which provides a conceptual and technical support to make interoperable enterprises using ontologies and semantic annotations, following model driven development (MDD) principles.
Overview.
The initial idea of works on MDI, was the application of model-driven methods and techniques for solving interoperability problems from business level down to data level.
The three main ideas of Model Driven Interoperability (MDI) approach are:
History.
MDI was initiated in 2004 with the beginning of two important research projects:
Both projects supported by the European Commission. These two projects worked on both the definition of a methodological framework and the application of MDI on concrete cases.
MDI Topics.
MDI Framework (INTEROP NoE).
MDI Framework within INTEROP is defined:
The Reference Model.
The Reference Model proposed for the MDI approach shows the different kinds of models that it is possible to perform at different levels of abstraction, and the successive model transformations that are needed to carry out.
The different levels of abstraction are needed in order to make possible model transformations reducing the gap existing between enterprise models and code level. The definition of the several levels was based on the Model Driven Architecture (MDA) that defines three levels of abstraction: CIM, PIM and PSM. Moreover, we introduced a partition of the CIM level into two sub-levels in order to reduce the gap between the CIM and PIM levels. An Interoperability Model has been also defined at the different levels of abstraction proposed above.
One example of this Reference Model for MDI can be see in the next figure. This picture shows in each of the proposed levels the different kind of models that can be performed (GRAI at Top CIM level, and UML in the other levels), and the final objective of making interoperable two ESA, the franchisor's ERP and the franchisee's CRM.
Model Driven Interoperability Method.
Model Driven Interoperability Method (MDI Method) is a model-driven method that can be used for two enterprises that need to interoperate not only at the code level but also at Enterprise Modelling level with an ontological support with the final aim of improving their performances.
The MDI Method proposed to solve interoperability problems, like its name indicates, is based on the MDA approach. Also, the following principles were applied to the definition of this method:
Next picture show the main features of the MDI Method, in which the green areas give the estimated effort related to each phase and workflow:
MDI Framework (ATHENA IP).
The MDI Framework from ATHENA provides guidance on how MDD should be applied to address interoperability. The framework is structured in three main integration areas:
Conceptual integration.
The reference model for conceptual integration has been developed from a MDD point of view focusing on the enterprise applications and software system.
According to MDA, a Computation Independent Model (CIM) corresponds to a view defined by a computation independent viewpoint. It describes the business context and business requirements for the software system(s). A Platform Independent Model (PIM) corresponds to a view defined by a platform independent viewpoint. It describes software specifications independent of execution platforms. A Platform Specific Model (PSM) corresponds to a view defined by a platform specific viewpoint. It describes the realisation of software systems.
Technical integration.
Technical Integration reference model promotes the use of service-oriented solutions where a software system and more generally a system provide a set of services required by the businesses and users of the enterprise.
Applicative integration.
The reference model for applicative integration has been developed in order to emphasise the dependencies between the different models and views to achieve interoperability.
Model Transformations.
Model transformation is one of the key approaches used to support the MDI Method. This approach is used in both horizontal and vertical dimension of the Reference Model for MDI. All model transformations performed are based on to the generic transformation architecture.
Semantic Support.
The following services: verification of the consistency of models, support to automatic mapping discovery among heterogeneous models, and definition of semantic preserving transformation can support MDI to tackle both vertical and horizontal issues.
Vertical issues: semantic support aiming at:
Horizontal issues: semantic support aiming at: