Hyper-graphs offer the opportunity to formulate logical statements about their components, for example, using Horn clauses. Several models of Information Systems can be represented using hyper-graphs as the workflows, i.e., the business processes. During the modeling of Information Systems, many constraints should be maintained during the development process. The models of Information Systems are complex objects, for this reason, the analysis of algorithms and graph structures that can support the consistency and integrity of models is an essential issue. A set of interdependencies between models and components of architecture can be formulated by functional dependencies and can be investigated via algorithmic methods. Information Systems can be perceived as overarching documents that includes data collections; documents to be processed; and representations of business processes, activities, and services. Whe selecting and working out an appropriate method encoding of artifacts in Information Systems, the complex structure can be represented using hyper-graphs. This representation enables the application of various model-checking, verification, and validation tools that are based on formal approaches. This paper describes the proposed representations in different situations using hyper-graphs, moreover, the formal, algorithmic-based model-checking methods that are coupled with the representations. The model-checking methods are realized by algorithms that are grounded in graph-theoretical approaches and tailored to the specificity of hyper-graphs. Finally, the possible applications in a real-life enterprise environment are outlined.

To tackle the issues of semantic collision and inconsistencies between ontologies and the original data model while learning ontology from relational database (RDB), a semi-automatic semantic consistency checking method based on graph intermediate representation and model checking is presented. Initially, the W-Graph, as an intermediate model between databases and ontologies, was utilized to formalize the semantic correspondences between databases and ontologies, which were then transformed into the Kripke structure and eventually encoded with the SMV program. Meanwhile, description logics (DLs) were employed to formalize the semantic specifications of the learned ontologies, since the OWL DL showed good semantic compatibility and the DLs presented an excellent expressivity. Thereafter, the specifications were converted into a computer tree logic (CTL) formula to improve machine readability. Furthermore, the task of checking semantic consistency could be converted into a global model checking problem that could be solved automatically by the symbolic model checker. Moreover, an example is given to demonstrate the specific process of formalizing and checking the semantic consistency between learned ontologies and RDB, and a verification experiment was conducted to verify the feasibility of the presented method. The results showed that the presented method could correctly check and identify the different kinds of inconsistencies between learned ontologies and its original data model.

The development of document handling by organizations at the level of business processes and business information systems leads to the phenomenon that the majority of documents and their contents remain in semi-structured format and definite minorities of documents are directly mapped onto structured databases. The rapidly evolving technology on the database field provides the opportunity to manage directly the semi-structured documents in line with the requirements of business processes. A continuum of possible document formats may exist in business environments. The documents can be categorized by the organization of the underlying data collections and according to the necessity and capability of data included in documents as whether wholly or partially is to be structured. The most modern database technology yields tools for handling and retrieving data making use of semi-structured and unstructured data. Our proposed approach (1) on one hand provides a theoretical framework for modeling IS to shape into some structure, (2) on the other hand yields guidance for design method to employ it for practical application with the extension of specific elementary models. The proposed modeling method that places the emphasis onto the documents and their symbiotic life with processes helps in understanding the behavior of most modern information systems. As a result, the combination of document-centric modeling and the enterprise architecture approach gives an opportunity for a unified modeling approach that keeps an eye on Conway’s thesis that states that software architecture congruent with the structure of development team, and this statement may be paraphrased that the overall document structure may reflect the structure of the specific organization.

Background: The application and introduction of ERP systems have become a central issue for management and operation of enterprises. The competition on market enforces the improvement and optimization of business processes of enterprises to increase their efficiency, effectiveness, and to manage better the resources outside the company. The primary task of ERP systems is to achieve the before-mentioned objectives. Objective: The selection of a particular ERP system has a decisive effect on the future operation and profitability of the enterprise. The qualitative correlation between the size of enterprises, market position, etc. and the applied selection criteria for ERP systems should be analysed as to whether which criteria are used at multinational enterprises or at SMEs. Methods/Approach: Our research is grounded in a literature review and case studies of everyday practice related to the introduction, implementation and roll-out of ERP systems. Results: The dominant critical success factor of ERP introduction seems to be “ERP software suitability”, “Information quality”, “ERP vendor quality”. Conclusion: The set of criteria on one hand shows strong correlation with non-functional requirements codified in standards, and on the other hand with usual functional requirements for ERP systems.

Web Information Systems (WIS) are becoming more and more ubiquitous along with the changes in information technology. There have already been several studies on modeling various aspects of WIS. This paper attempts to investigate the most recent paradigms of WIS description taking into account the Web service approaches, Service Oriented Architecture and Cloud computing. One of the modeling and analysis approaches is the Artifact Centric Business Process that unifies both the behavioral and information aspects of business processes carried out in a WIS environment. The information aspect frequently incorporates in the form of unstructured or semi-structured document that indirectly influences the content of the underlying database through several tiers of the given architecture. A business event stimulates a business process along with some set of data and triggers a process at the user interface level. The process initiates a chain of processes that goes through the tiers of architecture until the content of the database is affected. The Story Algebra, or more generally the Process Algebra approach provides a formal framework that promises a formal describing method for modeling precisely the event triggered processes coupled with data in document format.