In order to ensure an efficient and optimal implementation, at CANGURU, we consider it incredibly important to fully understand what our partners’ daily business is. The clarification (describing, analysing and visualisation) of the business architecture and related processes are intrinsically linked to this. Consequently, it also becomes clearer where and in which ways new software can support, or even replace, current processes.
Architecture
A well-designed and integrated architecture make it possible for an organisation to align its business and IT activities to its current strategy. They can react quicker to changes in their business environment through the optimal use of technology. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the development and maintenance of such architectures result in higher efficiency, cost saving and flexibility.
Architectures can be found at any level of any business: at organisational level, business processes, applications, data, technical equipment… And these are only a few examples. ArchiMate presents a uniform way to model all of these architectures, whereby all of these domains are integrated and displayed in an easy-to-read way.
Archimate
Just as building plans describe the different aspects of the construction and use of a building, ArchiMate offers a common language for describing the construction and use of business processes, organisation structures, information flows, IT systems and the technical infrastructure.
Services form an increasingly central role in the present day business world. They enable the relationship and interconnectivity of differing business domains. Services can be delivered by organisations to their customers, by applications to business processes, or by technical solutions (e.g. communication networks) to applications. This layered perspective offers a more natural way of looking at service-oriented models. The higher layers use the services which are delivered by the lower levels. ArchiMate differentiates three main layers:
The Business Layer (yellow) offers products and services to external customers, which are realised within the organisation through business processes, which in turn are carried out by business users and roles.
The Application Layer (blue) supports the business layer with application services, which are released by (software) application components.
The Technology Layer (green) offers infrastructural services (e.g. processing, storage and communication services) which are necessary for application to run, realised by computer and communication hardware and system software.
Archi
Where ArchiMate is the language which provides the necessary objects and processes to describe the architectures, Archi is the tool which is effectively used to build the models. Archi is a tool aimed at all levels of business architects and satisfies the needs of most users. It is designed to offer the most important functionalities needed to model with ArchiMate in a simple and elegant way and is used worldwide by, amongst others, financial institutions, industry, consultants, educational institutions, universities, etc. This makes Archi the go to and low-cost solution for users looking to make their first steps into the ArchiMate modelling language or business architecture in general.
The use of Archi and ArchiMate for modelling your enterprise architecture offers a number of advantages:
An actively supported independent tool and language
Easy access combined with a steep learning curve
It is a sleek and easy language with well-founded concepts and models which offer precision. Say goodbye to the “vague images” view of architecture! 😊
It does not dictate a single way of working, rather it is possible to combine with existing methods such as TOGAF. Flexibility is the key.
Triggered and intrigued by how an architectural study is carried out in reality? Or can your organisation benefit from more insights, efficiency or flexibility? Contact us and who knows what CANGURU can mean for you!
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