The evolution of an architectural paradigm - Using blockchain to build a cross-organizational enterprise service bus

Abstract

Cross-organizational collaboration and the exchange of process data are indispensable for many processes in federally organized governments. Conventional IT solutions, such as cross-organizational workflow management systems, address these requirements through centralized process management and architectures. However, such centralization is difficult and often undesirable in federal contexts. One alternative solution that emphasizes decentralized process management and a decentralized architecture is the blockchain solution of Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. Here, we investigate the architecture of this solution and examine how it addresses the requirements of federal contexts. We find that the solution's architecture resembles an improvement and cross-organizational adaption of an old architectural paradigm, the enterprise service bus.