Maximizing the Business Value of Networked Embedded Systems through Process-Level Integration into Enterprise Software

Abstract

Building applications on resource-constrained networked embedded systems (the front-end) such as automation devices, (wireless) sensor networks etc, and integrating them into business processes of an enterprise (the back-end) is a complex, challenging task that has to be repeated for each combination of back-end and front-end application. We argue that using modelling on top of service-oriented architecture in networked embedded systems simplifies application development and enables easy enterprise-wide integration by using executable descriptions of cross-system business processes. We derive requirements for networked embedded systems, the communication points with enterprise software to support this model-driven software design, and directions for their implementation.