A Fresh Look at Integrated Business Applications - Neither Package nor Custom - Made

Abstract

Since integrated business applications demonstrate weaknesses, intermediate solutions positioned in between packages and custom-made software need to be explored. One suggestion for such an adaptable architecture uses a functionally stable core with peripheral applications. This architecture accounts for software market dynamics and interests of different parties involved. The ideas developed stem from a case study in the German market for small business software. The case describes the problems within this business configuration and presents a technical solution that implements a core application approach. The concept could turn out to be useful for other business networks, as first hypotheses hint.