Enterprise Collaboration Baseline Services

Results from Enterprise Collaboration Baseline

Enterprise Collaboration is a widely discussed subject. Due to this fact a variety of different opinions can be formed mainly based on the scientific discipline behind it. From our understanding Enterprise Collaborations are based on inter-organizational relationships between network members. The analysis and support of those relationships is one of the main objectives of the COIN project.

In the first year of the project the main objective for the Baseline Enterprise Collaboration (EC) Services team was to consolidate and harmonize results from previous RTD projects concerned with Enterprise Collaboration. As a scientific result EC Baselines Services are able to support most dynamic enterprise collaborations, like Business Ecosystems, by harmonization of individuals and organizations profiles under the same model.

The formal duration of enterprise collaborations describes the contractually fixed duration of that collaboration. It can be classified as unique if the intention is to realize just one product or offering based on a specific customer request. The collaboration can be classified as limited if the intention is to realize a fixed series of complex products. To support ability of collaboration and rapid formation of collaborative networks, the researchers came to the conclusion that it is necessary to have potential partners ready and prepared to participate in such collaboration. Therefore collaborative networks can be differentiated in different life-cycle phases. The different phase of the life-cycle does require various baseline services. Finally in COIN a set of Enterprise Collaboration Services has been designed and implemented. The following picture shows these EC services on a high level along the collaboration life-cycle.

During the Preparation Phase of a collaborative network interested parties register and are able to define their profiles, e.g. editing administrative, contribution (product/ service), processes and performance data. The innovation lies in the combination in the management of originations and also individual profiles. This combination supports the management of highly dynamic collaborative networks like Business Ecosystems. Life-cycle independent communication web services are implemented to be used to announce news (like new members) and support communication between network members. The further innovative EC Baseline Service provides the possibility to either create a Business Opportunity (product/ service) from inside (based on the network competencies) or optional discovering Business Opportunity by market research. For the creation option a new serious game has been implemented that supports the creative ideation process between networks members. One member opens a creative session to seek for Business Opportunities and is able to sent invitation to other members by the Communication Service.

Once the Business Opportunity has been identified the Formation Phase starts and with the Business Opportunity Characterization Service it is possible to define the Work-Break-Down-Structure (WBS), the tasks to be performed and the special competencies needed. Active members can be rewarded for their activities in seeking for Business Opportunities. Right partners for the characterized Business Opportunity are to find with the EC Partner Search Service following chosen search criteria. While finding the right partners the support of communication, discussion and agreements between members is also provided by the communication service. The selected partners for the specific Business Opportunities are to register and collaboration performance indicators are to be set for the Operational Phase.

Enterprise Collaboration Service and Product Management Services (PSM) support the Operational Phase of the collaborative network where the added value for the customer is to be realized. The PSM Service provides a structured storage in catalogues of all relevant product information and documentation to be realized. Complex products can be stored in different configurations. Following the (WBS), planned and mediated tasks can be defined for each network partner. Ad-hoc task force teams can be set up in critical collaboration situations. The execution of the defined tasks is supported by an activity service, which links acting people with used resources, and tracks the state of each task. Exchange of product data and progress information related to the tasks are supported by the communication service again. Good collaboration performance can be rewarded and has a positive impact on the member’s profile. 

Finally during the Dissolution Phase it is possible to gather feedback from all active partners and the end customer and store the collaboration experience gained for a reuse in future Business Opportunities. Finally the end customer receives access to the product catalogue and product information.