The Strategic Role of the Enterprise Application Framework
Post on 28-May-2015
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DRIVING BUSINESS FORWARD WITH APPLICATION FRAMEWORKS
The Enterprise Applications building blocks & the strategic role
of the Application Framework
Jean-Marc Desvaux – General Construction Co. Ltd
A Fact
It’s a truism to say thatBusinesses need Applications
to run their business effectively.
We need to build Applicationsfor our business.
Another Fact
Modern Enterprise Applicationsneed an infrastructure to run
(on-premises or cloud-based or mixed)
Minimum building blocks are: ------------------------------
Data
Business logic
User Interface
Security
Facts are :“We need to build ..”
on top of an infrastructure.
It means we have the responsibility toImplement applications to help us improve
our processes and differentiate ourselves withthe competition in a sustainable and flexible way
It means it’s not an IT problem but a realand serious business one.
How do we achieve that ?
Commercial off-the-shelf , ERP or custom built ?
If custom built : .NET, J2EE, Rational, Uniface, AJAX, XML, Jquery, Web Services,
Flex, PHP, Python ………?
If ERP/COTS : Sage, MS Dynamics, SAP, Oracle EBS, Oracle Fusion Apps, Salesforce, Open ERP, Infor …… ?
Client Server, Web, Mobile, Cloud ?
SQL, NoSQL, … ?
The functional only approach(technical aspects not taken into account)
The result will be a set of best-of-breed silos.
=>Integration & updates nightmare =>High costs of acquisition & support=>Risk to Frankensteinize the Enterprise IS =>Security problems
=>An Ostrich Policy
The functional & technical approach
Face the Technical challenge and try to simplify as much as possible while
aligning the IS with the processes complexity
How do we do that ?
The Business Strategic part :-
First by understanding our processes in details and taking structural & functional decisions
The Technical Strategic Part:-
Choose a technical approach:Vanilla ERP, Custom or a Mixed of both?
Clearly define our Strategy
The Technical approachERP?
Ideally a pure ERP would be the best.
But Growth and Differentiation are Some of the intrinsic Business natures
If ERP is ok today, What about tomorrow ?
The Reality
Based on a Panorama Consulting 2008 Survey
The Reality
Starting near 100% ERP, 0% Custom
Ending 25% ERP, 75% Custom
IMHO
If Ending 25% ERP, 75% Custom,
Why Not 100% custom ?
Or see the ERP roles mainly as a catalyst, a way
To kick-start the move and serve as a base to build on.
In this case, the ERP choicemust be made on its customisation
capabilities.
Instead of looking primarily at ERP functional Standards
we must look at the Standards exposed by
the customisation tools & their roadmap.
In other words, we need standard Building blocks.
If the ERP has been developed on these Standards blocks,
Mastering them allows us to extend or build to our specificity.
As the standard blocks evolves,We can evolve with them,
Protecting our developmentinvestment
“Standard Building Blocks” ?
Another name for these Building Blocks
The Application DevelopmentFramework
AF Advantages
Defines Patterns & Anti-patterns
Defines Best Practices
Custom coding % is minimal & sits on the AF
AF technology upgrades work left to the AF provider
Don’t bother on Industry standards implementation,The Framework deals with it
Configure (don’t code) Security
Architects & Developers Communities
How to select an AFRich UI /
Component basedPure web User interfaces (No plug-ins)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum coding / Declarative programmingfor better productivity & easier learning curve
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Devices independence(Same AF to develop for Browser, phones, tablets..)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong integration with Database (ORM)------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Integrates Security (Id & Auth)---------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on & Support of Industry standards---------------------------------------------------------------------
Choose a strategic AF not an opportunistic one---------------------------------------------------------------------
Documentations, tutorials, learning materials availability
An example : Oracle ADF
Choosing Oracle ADF as your building blocks is a strong strategy because all Oracle Fusion Apps
& other Oracle products like WebCenter are built with ADF.
Meaning all Oracle ERP consultants, ERP developersand Oracle themselves are using or will use ADF
directly or indirectly.
=>There is a strong Technology Commitment on ADF.
Oracle ADF ArchitectureAn extended MVC pattern
The Business Services layer - provides access to data from various sources and handles business logic.
The Model layer - provides an abstraction layer on top of the Business Services layer, enabling the View and Controller layers to work with different implementations of Business Services in a consistent way.
The Controller layer - provides a mechanism to control the flow of the Web application.
The View layer - provides the user interface of the application.
Oracle ADF ArchitectureAn extended MVC pattern
The IDE (one for all your development)JDeveloper
Oracle ADF UI componentsADF Faces Rich Client
Oracle ADF MobileSame IDE (JDeveloper), same Framework
If you are an ADF developer, you are an ADF Mobile Developer
Same declarative environmentADF Mobile also allows developers to take full
advantage of the security features in ADF.
Oracle ADF MobileHybrid Apps
Leverages HTML5, JavaScript and CSS to develop rich user interfaces across multiple platforms and devices.
Deep access to native device services, such as phone, SMS, camera, GPS and more (PhoneGap)
Supports both real-time and offline data accessOffline support using SQLite – encryption included
Consistent experiences between desktop-based and mobile application development
Build secure mobile applications with end-to-end encryption on a proven platform
Oracle ADF MobileSame IDE (JDeveloper), same Framework
Oracle ADF MobileiOS, Android / Phones, Tablets
An ADF case study
Transport of Labour on Construction Sites
Sophisticated off-the-shelf Transport Logistic software
could not deal with daily changes inTransport Requirements
An ADF case study where only custom development can bring value
Infrastructure
Oracle Jdeveloper & ADF
Oracle Middleware
ADF deployed to Weblogic 11gOracle HTTP Server & webcache
Oracle Internet DirectoryOracle Single Sign-on
Oracle Database
What the Enterprise need to adopt such a strategy
Own/Master your Data Model and the ERPData Model.
Hire people & coach/train them on the Application Framework to develop
Custom applications.
They will be able to extend & maintain ERPs (if any)
Implement Best Practices & internal standards
Choose any external services (Cloud-based,Social Networks etc..) with integration
as a key selection criteria.
Thank you
Some ADF links
ADF Enterprise Methodology Group groups.google.com/group/adf-methodology
ADF on Oracle Technology Networkwww.oracle.com/adfwww.oracle.com/mobile
Oracle Learning Librarywww.oracle.com/oll
YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/user/ADFInsiderEssentialsOr just search for “Oracle ADF”, lots of videos tutorials & demos
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