The document discusses different philosophies for information system architecture in supply chains: monolithic, vertically specialized, and modular. The monolithic model provides stability through predefined solutions in a single, self-contained system. The vertically specialized model also aims for stability but does so for each vertical area separately, allowing some isolation. The modular model favors continuous change through atomization of services and data into independent repositories coordinated by a central service bus. These different approaches can coexist with monolithic systems, vertical systems, and modular components all communicating through the service bus.

1. EA landscape philosophies
Monoliths, verticals and modular
ECSCIA, European Centre of Supply Chain Information
Architecture

2. ECSCIA, European Centre of Supply Chain Information
Architecture
Most challenges in life can be addressed taking two perspectives:
What do I want?
and
How do I achieve it?
Making architectural landscape choices and setting strategies relating to
information systems design in supply chains is a perfect fit for that same, simple
line of reasoning

3. ECSCIA, European Centre of Supply Chain Information
Architecture
Data structures
Repositories
Rules
User interaction
Transactions
What do I
want? I
want?
How do I
achieve it?
Human activities
Machine activities
Actions
Decisions

4. ECSCIA, European Centre of Supply Chain Information
Architecture
Philosophies
Monolithic Vertically specialized Modular

5. ECSCIA, European Centre of Supply Chain Information
Architecture
Monolithic
The monolithic model is one of stability and
consolidation. It meets the ”what I want”
criteria within a set of predefined scenarios
using a set of predefined solutions. The
whole stack, from user interaction down to
data structures has been defined as one
single system.
A monolithic system aspires to be self-
contained, all master and transaction data
resides within the monolith and adheres to
the rules dictated by the monolith.

6. ECSCIA, European Centre of Supply Chain Information
Architecture
Vertically specialized
The vertically specialized model (often realized
through a “best of breed” architecture) aspires the
same stability and consolidation as the monolith
model but does so per vertical areas. It allows for
each vertical to evolve in some isolation, which
makes it slightly more adaptive than the monolith.
Each vertical is self-contained. Different verticals
interact through integrations where master data
and rules of each are translated.

7. ECSCIA, European Centre of Supply Chain Information
Architecture
Modular
The modular model (often realized though a
service architecture) has no ambitions of
enforcing business process stability or
consolidation. It encourages continuous
change. The model is one of atomization &
simplification held together by central
integrations, the enterprise service bus.
Service modules provide functionality, data
modules provide repositories
Transaction and master data is broken out into
atomized repositories.
The service bus plays a central rule in
coordination of communication.

8. ECSCIA, European Centre of Supply Chain Information
Architecture
Monolithic
Service bus
Vertical
Service
module
Data
module
Monolithic systems coexist with
verticals and modular
components, all coordinated
through the service bus