Modelling business relationships for effective client-server and open systems delivery

Provides a brief description and illustration of the business relationship modelling technique, as it may be applied to the planning and delivery of client/server solutions to federated business problems. Business relationship modelling is a methodical approach for the exploration of organizational structures, federations and system networks. It may be prompted by policy changes, design problems and/or technological opportunities. It is used to make judgements about such issues as organizational changes, technical configurations, technical systems policy and system requirements. Business relationship modelling is intended to be used by various people working within or for federated organization structures, including: business process engineers, planners, software developers and network/market strategists. It may also be used when planning for inter-company networks and joint ventures. The method is also of considerable interest to telecommunications and value-added network (VAN) companies developing commercial information services