Object-based Composability

How to realise composable business

Bizcloud is a comprehensive framework for composing platform business models that combines aspects of both Application Development Frameworks and Enterprise Architecture Frameworks, but with a distinct approach. Unlike traditional frameworks that focus on code or components, Bizcloud facilitates object-based composability. In other words, it focusses on business objects and their relationships. Rather than requiring coding, it enables "composition" through configuration of business objects.

This concept represents a shift from traditional component-based development methods and offers unique advantages for creating flexible, adaptable business platforms. Instead of technical components, it deals with business concepts - which are defined as objects - and their relationships. By working with business objects rather than code or large components (or "packages"), this approach enables more flexible, adaptable, and business-aligned software systems. Unlike traditional frameworks that focus on code or components, Bizcloud centers on business objects and their relationships, with the MONJO ontology providing hundreds of predefined objects that can be used to kickstart the process:

1. Utilizes a structured approach to building platform applications (which is the rationale for using any framework in the first place)

2. Offers reusable architectural patterns and components (through its pre-composed patterns)

3. Enforces consistent architectural principles (through its object-focused methodology)

4. Includes built-in tools and utilities Tools for composing rather than coding applications

5. An ontology-based approach to defining business logic

Bizcloud is a comprehensive framework for composing platform business models that combines aspects of both Application Development Frameworks and Enterprise Architecture Frameworks, but with a distinct approach. 

Key characteristics that make it a framework:

1. It provides a structured approach to building applications (like traditional frameworks)

2. It offers reusable patterns and components (through its pre-composed patterns)

3. It enforces consistent architectural principles (through its object-focused methodology)

4. It includes built-in tools and utilities (like MONAKO composer, Morpheus runtime core)

However, Bizcloud differs from traditional frameworks in several important ways:

• Instead of providing code libraries and programming interfaces, it provides business object templates and relationship patterns

• Rather than requiring coding, it enables "composition" through configuration of business objects

• Instead of technical components, it deals with business concepts and their relationships

• Rather than focusing on how to write software, it focuses on how to model and compose business platforms

You might call Bizcloud a "Business Platform Composition Framework" or "Platform Business Model Framework" because it provides:

1. A complete environment for building platform applications

2. Built-in architectural patterns for platform business models

3. Tools for composing rather than coding applications

4. An ontology-based approach to defining business logic

Object-based vs. Component-based Composability

To understand object-based composability, it's helpful to contrast it with the more traditional component-based approach:

• Granularity: Component-based systems work with large, pre-built modules. Object-based systems use smaller, more granular objects.

• Flexibility: Components often have predefined functionalities, which can limit flexibility. Objects can be more easily combined and reconfigured to meet specific business needs.

• Abstraction Level: Components typically abstract entire processes or functions. Objects represent individual business entities, allowing for more detailed modeling of business domains.

• Customization: Modifying components often requires coding skills. Object-based systems can often be customized through configuration rather than coding.

Relevance to Business Applications

Object-based composability is particularly relevant for business applications because:

• It aligns closely with how businesses think about their operations and data.

• It allows for rapid adaptation to changing business needs without extensive recoding.

• It enables more accurate modeling of complex business relationships and processes.

Implementation in Bizcloud

The Bizcloud framework exemplifies the object-based composability approach:

• MONJO Ontology: Bizcloud uses a Management Ontology and Nomenclature Journal (MONJO) as its foundation. This ontology provides a comprehensive set of pre-defined business objects that can be used to compose applications.

• Object Definition: Each object in MONJO is defined as a JSON document with standard metadata elements, including labels, definitions, properties, attributes, and linkages to other objects.

• Composition Process: Instead of coding, applications are composed by selecting and configuring relevant objects from the ontology. This process is facilitated by the MONAKO composer tool.

• Flexible Architecture: The object-based approach allows for the creation of a responsive Information Architecture that can evolve with changing business needs.

• Automatic Rendering: Once objects are configured, they are automatically rendered as working applications by the Morpheus runtime core, without the need for traditional coding or compilation.

Advantages of Object-based Composability

• Rapid Development: By working with pre-defined objects, development time can be significantly reduced.

• Business Alignment: The object-based approach aligns closely with business concepts, making it easier for non-technical stakeholders to understand and contribute to application development.

• Flexibility: Applications can be easily modified by reconfiguring objects, allowing businesses to adapt quickly to changing requirements.

• Consistency: Using a standardized ontology ensures consistency across different applications within an organization.