Using Semantic Web Technologies to Build Adaptable Enterprise Information Systems
Bruno Caires, Jorge Cardoso · Ibis · 2006
In most existing software systems, client applications are tightly coupled to database systems (client/server), which imply that when changes occur in the database, those changes also have to be propagated to all connected clients. Another issue is that since several database engines may exist in the organization, in most cases relational databases, the integration may be a very difficult process. To overcome the above-mentioned problems, we propose a solution based on a middleware located between clients and database servers that provide both an abstraction layer and a unified view over a set of databases. The middleware is based in semantic Web technologies and uses a semantic global model specified in OWL. Interoperability with other systems/organizations is achieved providing the middleware services as Web Services. Therefore, our approach allows clients to be loosely coupled from the database servers, minimizing maintenance when changes occur.