An android tablet tool for enterprise architecture modeling in small and medium-sized enterprises

Abstract

Enterprise architecture (EA) is used to improve the alignment of different facets of a company. The recognition for the need of EA in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has recently risen as a means to manage complexity and change [1]. Due to the specific problems and characteristics of SMEs, a different approach is necessary. CHOOSE was therefore developed as an EA approach focused on and adapted to the characteristics and needs of SMEs [2]. During case studies performed with CHOOSE, the need for software tool support became apparent. This paper describes a mobile software tool in support of the CHOOSE approach that should guide the CEO as enterprise architect throughout the entire EA process and facilitate the implementation, management, and maintenance of the resulting EA model. The generic development decisions make this software tool widely applicable for a multitude of models. Finally, evaluation in two Belgian SMEs is presented. © IFIP International Federation for Information Processing 2013.