Internet-based Integration for collaborative business processes: implementing the technology in SMEs

摘要

The present paper aims to discuss the principles of the Internet-based integration of business processes for inter-enterprise collaboration. The Internet-based integration is specifically concerned with the "heterogeneous" context of SMEs, where a broad range of "heterogeneous" tools are involved in the local operation of the business processes at each partner site. The paper discusses the adoption of a "neutral" ("generic") modelling approach as a key principle to achieve integration of "heterogeneity" in the Internet facility. Starting from the "neutral" model proposed for integration, afterwards, the paper introduces the adoption of mechanisms of dynamic configuration of the Internet site views operated by each business partner, thus, preventing from a "generic" operation of the Internet facility. The integration principles are discussed based on the results of an actually on-going project which aims to develop an Internet portal to support collaborative business processes amongst SMEs for the electronic and mechanical sectors.