Comparative evaluation of service interface approaches to system integration for operation center

Abstract

System integration of an operation center has become more complex and heterogeneous due to rapid innovations in the IT industry. Problems arise when a new integration requirement emerges due to complexity of the system integration architecture. To simplify the system integration, interoperability has to be emphasized at the design stage. Architectural de sign is the stage wherein the process to identify the interfaces involved in the system integration needs to be considered. Approaches to simplifying system integration via service interface design have been the subject of many research studies. In this paper, case study on two(2) traffic operation centers in Malaysia i.e. Transport Management Centre of Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Traffic Monitoring Centre of Malaysian Highway Authority were conducted to identify gaps amongst the system integration approaches used in both operation centers. Three (3) prominent approaches of system integration used by both operation center s were chosen, explored and discussed, namely, method-oriented interface, message-oriented interface and resource-oriented interface. The result of a systematic comparison of the approaches mentioned is also presented. Six(6) criteria were established to make comparison on the approaches: interoperability, uniformity, scalability, reusability, heterogeneity, and compatibility. The objective was to determine the best contemporary approach to service interface design in centralized system integration. The outcome of the evaluation was examined and improvement to the service interface design is proposed. The study is very significant as an attempt to establish a practice reference for enhancement of the current system integration as well as serve as a guide for future deployment of operation centers.