The Virtual Enterprise
Copyright 2006 Robert J. Glushko
More big ideas from Chapter 1
The Business Case for DE + IA
Accelerating RosettaNet
Paperless Trading
HIT and MIS
The Virtual Enterprise
Overlapping Information Components as "Process Glue"
The Document Type Spectrum
Overview of the Document Engineering Approach
Model-based Applications
A very common business pattern on the Web
4 roles of retailer (the catalog), distributor (the warehouse), the credit authority (bank), the delivery service
The retailer doesn't own the goods, only takes orders
Creating an information or process model is a significant investment in capturing context-specific (or application-specific) requirements in a technology-neutral and robust way
The abstraction in a good model makes it simpler and easier to work with than the specific technologies of implementation
The model can be viewed as a specification for generating code or configuring an application
Ideally, the context-specific parts of the application that are based on the model(s) remain distinct and inspectable apart from the generic functionality of the application provided by the "platform" on which is it implemented
Most forms move around organizations as part of some business process
Multiple document models are often involved as information that starts the process is augmented or transformed by business processes
The component architecture of the documents also facilitates the assembly or collection of the information needed at each processing step or transaction
At each transaction this needed information can be obtained from a user or appication according to the schema that defines it
Compare processing cost and time per document in As-Is and To-Be cases
Estimate value of other benefits
Estimate resources and time required to analyze, design, and implement
Calculate payback period / ROI by comparing recurring benefits against one-time costs
Compare return against alternatives (including doing nothing)
Reduce processing costs for goods and services
Improve operational visibility and control
Accelerate existing processes and enable new ones
Publish cheaper, faster, better - reuse, repurpose, repackage information
Reduce system development, maintenance, and integration costs
Enhance employee and customer satisfaction
D -- data types and document types
O -- organizational processes
C -- context (types of products or services, industry, geography, regulatory considerations)
U -- user types and special user requirements
M -- models, patterns, or standards that apply
E -- enterprises and eco systems (e.g., trading communities, standards bodies)
N -- the needs (business case) driving the enterprise(s)
T -- technology constraints and opportunities
Arrow Electronics (http://www.arrow.com/) is a distributor for products from Linear Technology (http://www.linear.com/) and other suppliers
Linear is in the process of going from two national distributors to just one
Syncata Corporation (http://www.syncata.com) was engaged to automate the flow of purchase orders and order status between Arrow and Linear as well as the subsequent introduction of orders into Linear's back end systems
Linear's implementation is one of the first deployments of Microsoft's Biztalk Server (http://www.microsoft.com/biztalk/default.asp) Accelerator for RosettaNet (http://www.rosettanet.org)
RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes were 3A4 and 3A7
Linear is planning to link up external partners
Linear hopes to exchange inventory information with Arrow (PIP 4C1)
What problems will paperless trading hope to solve?
Why is international trade so much more complex than domestic trade?
What are the projected savings? Why do they vary so much by product category and type of shipment?
Why is paperless trading especially attractive to developing countries? In what ways is it problematic for them?
Why are Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan making such great progress toward paperless trading?
Commercial / Financial
Regulatory
Logistics
The Importer places an order to buy goods from overseas supplier (who then becomes the Exporter).
The Exporter arranges the shipment of the goods with an international carrier (shipping line, freight forwarder or airline). They will be responsible for getting the goods to the destination port (and maybe beyond).
The Bill of Lading (sea) or Air Waybill (air) describes the goods and their transportation details and costs. It (or authorized copies) are required as proof of shipment by many of the parties involved.
Either the Importer or Exporter (or both) will need to insure the goods in transit. Banks have divisions that offer maritime insurance.
To cover the exporter's exposure a guarantee of funds is lodged with the exporter's bank.
At some stage the Exporter invoices the Importer for the goods
If the Importer is satisfied with the goods they instruct their bank to release funds to the Exporter.
The Banks inform their customers of the funds transfer.
The Exporter must apply for relevant certificates based on international trading arrangements with the destination country, export restrictions and the type of goods being shipped.
A Certificate of Origin verifies where the goods were manufactured (or grown). This controls trade being redirected through 3rd party countries to avoid duty or trade restrictions. Sanitary Certificates cover meat products for health and hygiene safety -- Phytosanitary Certificates do the same for vegetable matter (including wooden products).
The Exporter needs these certificates when they apply to Customs for permission to export the goods.
Customs will give authorization for the goods to be exported (normally no duty is payable for exported goods - you just need permission to do it). Steps 1-4 can be done weeks before the goods actually ship.
When the goods are actually loaded on a vessel (or aircraft) the terminal operator will notify customs the goods are being shipped. This may trigger a customs inspection of the goods.
The Exporter notifies the Importer that the goods are being shipped and sends copies of all certificates.
The Importer uses these when they apply to Customs to import the goods.
Customs will advise of any duties payable (or restrictions) on the goods.
The Importer must pay the amount of duty based on the classification of the type of goods.
Once duty is paid Customs issue a commercial clearance of the goods although they retain the right to stop and inspect once the goods arrive.
The destination terminal operator notifies Customs when the shipment has arrived. This may trigger an inspection.
Once Customs are satisfied the shipment is legitimate they permit the terminal operator to release it for delivery to the Importer.
Once they have a Forwarding Instruction from the Exporter (see Commercial Flow) the main (international) carrier will arrange for transportation of the goods to the port of origin.
The local carrier (e.g. trucking company) will notify the Exporter of their intention to pick up the goods.
The Exporter supplies them with the information (such as customs clearance authorization and onward transportation details) necessary to allow the terminal to load the shipment. This does not include any commercial information about the goods involved.
The truck driver uses the export advice document as authorization for the terminal to accept the shipment and load it onto the vessel. Terminals may refuse to receive goods that don't have such authorization.
The Terminal operators notify each international carrier concerned of their (and only their) shipments loaded onto the vessel.
The terminal operators also update the ship's bayplan (the map that says which shipments are where on the vessel) and pass this onto to the next port of call. It will eventually get to the destination terminal operator.
The International Carrier will also create a manifest (a list of all their shipments on the vessel) and lodge this with the terminal operators concerned. Copies also travel with the vessel.
Prior to the ship's scheduled arrival the International Carrier will notify the Importer of its intended arrival date.
The Importer (or the carrier) will then arrange domestic transportation from the port to the Importer.
The Import Delivery Order contains reference information used to match against customs import clearances.
When the importing Terminal receives the delivery order it checks against its Customs clearances and then releases to shipment for delivery to the Importer.
What problems are efforts in healthcare automation and medical informatics trying to solve?
Why does health care lag behind other industries in adopting IT?
Try to apply the "DOCUMENT" checklist to this situation...
Document Engineering, Chapter 2
Document Engineering, Chapter 15 (pages 491-501)