Architectures

Effective computer systems design begins with sound analysis techniques followed by a rigorous design methodology.  Intertech uses the Object Management Group's Model Driven Architecture (MDA), which starts with a Platform-Independent Model (PIM) of an application's business functionality and behavior, typically built in the Unified Modeling Language (UML).

The PIM model remains relatively stable as technology evolves, extending and maximizing software ROI.  MDA development tools, available now from our vendors, convert the PIM first to a Platform-Specific Model (PSM), and then to a working implementation on virtually any middleware platform, including: Web Services, XML/SOAP, EJB, C#/.Net, OMG's own CORBA, or others.

Portability and interoperability are built into our architectures.  The OMG's industry-standard modeling techniques support the MDA: UML, now advancing to Version 2.0; the MetaObject Facility (MOF); the Common Warehouse MetaModel (CWM); and XML Metadata Interchange (XMI).

Some of the Benefits of Model Driven Architecture (Adapted from Richard Soley: MDA, An Introduction):

• Full support for a “20 year architecture” across the application lifecycle
• Smooth integration across intra- and inter-business boundaries (across deployment technologies)
• Reduced costs from beginning to end
• Reuse of applications, code, training and people
• Technology-independent representation of the business
• Scalability, robustness & security via generated code
• Stable model-based approach maximizes ROI
• Rapid inclusion of the next best thing