Enterprise Information Management

E-Business process networks – successful value chains through standards
In the 1990’s companies focused more on design and implementation of internal business processes to overcome functional barriers. In the 2000’s there has been integration of enterprise and inter-enterprise systems in order to improve supply chain management and customer relationship.

Internet has proven useful by enabling the use of reference models such as supply chain operational model (SCOR). The use of SCOR methodology leads to quick and reliable improvement in chain operations. There are also some other reference models developed by solution providers. SCOR model methodology was developed by Intel, Siemens AG SBS, IDS Scheer (Kirchmer et al 2002). SCOR contains all customer interactions, all product transactions and all market interaction. The SCOR contains several levels of process detail:

Top level (process types), which involves scope and content.
2nd level (configuration level) which includes process categories
Decompose processes (process element level) i.e. definitions, information, performance metrics and system capability
Implementation level (decompose process elements).

 SCOR methodology has four steps:

Analyze the basis of competition
Configure supply chain
Align performance levels, practice and systems
Produce plan for supply chain

RosettaNet group is an industry organization that develops and implements Internet – based business standards. A procedural method describing how inter-business network can be used has been developed.
ARIS (architecture of integrated information systems) provides basis for process description. ARIS can be viewed from different points such as organizational view, function view, data view, output (result) view and the control view. Another procedural model is the eBPI, which delivers a structure for managing the life cycle of e-business processes successfully.
ARIS toolset (ATS) is a set of software tools based on ARIS and has been used as a key tool functionality. The tool has all required reference models such as SCOR, RosettaNet PIP definitions and SAP reference used to maintain industry standards.
In conclusion, SCOR models, standard e-business and RosettaNet PIP information supports the future of value chain projects dealing with inter-enterprise processes. They also give project teams an easy access to documentation of standards. Also further standards can be incorporated in an easier way. Finally project teams will be able to model their specific process as necessary based on the standard models.
Reference

Kirchmer, (2004) “E-Business process networks – successful value chains through

standards”, Journal of Enterprise Management, Vol. 17, No.1, Emerald group publishing
limited.