Applying enterprise architecture to the design of the integrated forest products supply chain management system

Abstract

The forest products supply chains encompass a multitude of agents with independent business processes and information systems. The network of interrelationships and information flows among the agents is often neglected when designing information systems. Common procedures and automatic data exchanges can enhance collaboration as well as improve IT alignment with business needs across multiple organizations in the supply chain. This article proposes an Enterprise Architecture methodological approach for designing an integrated modular Forest Products Supply Chain Management System. Individual system requirements and data flows are driven from the Process Architecture Framework. Results of its application to the forest production, wood logistics and plant supply processes within Portuguese pulpwood, biomass and lumber-based supply chains are presented. Results show that this approach can effectively specify individual systems requirements driven from the processes representations built in collaboration with the agents. It further shows that a data service-oriented architecture can be derived, ensuring business information integrity and systems integration. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.