Verification of SAP Reference Models

To configure a process-aware information system (e.g., a workflow system, an ERP system), a business model needs to be transformed into an executable process model. Due to similarities in these transformations for different companies, databases with reference models, such as ARIS for MySAP, have been developed. The models stored in such a database can be customized to generate an executable model. Since these customized models are typically used on an execution level, it is of the utmost importance that both the reference models and their customizations are free of erroneous constructs. In this paper, we analyze a reference model for SAP R/3 that is stored in the ARIS for MySAP database, and we verify whether it is correct. Since the model is stored as an Event-driven Process Chains (EPC), we use a verification approach tailored towards the verification of this language to check for errors in the model. We show that using this approach adds value to a set of reference models, such as ARIS for MySAP, since modelling errors are discovered at an early stage and can be avoided on an execution level.

[1]  Ulrich Frank,et al.  Conceptual Modelling as the Core of the Information Systems Discipline - Perspectives and Epistemological Challenges , 1999 .

[2]  A. Scheer.  Business Process Engineering: Reference Models for Industrial Enterprises , 1994 .

[3]  T. Curran,et al.  SAP R/3 Business Blueprint: Understanding the Business Process Reference Model , 1997 .

[4]  Len Silverston,et al.  The Data Model Resource Book , 1997 .

[5]  Boudewijn F. van Dongen,et al.  Verification of EPCs: Using Reduction Rules and Petri Nets , 2005, CAiSE.

[6]  Peter Loos,et al.  Classification of reference models: a methodology and its application , 2003, Inf. Syst. E Bus. Manag..

[7]  Thomas Teufel,et al.  Sap R/3 Process Oriented Implementation , 1998 .

[8]  Michael Rosemann,et al.  Application Reference Models and Building Blocks for Management and Control (ERP Systems) , 2003 .

[9]  Frank Leymann,et al.  Production Workflow: Concepts and Techniques , 1999 .

[10]  Kees M. van Hee,et al.  Workflow Management: Models, Methods, and Systems , 2002, Cooperative information systems.

[11]  Wil M. P. van der Aalst,et al.  A configurable reference modelling language , 2007, Inf. Syst..

[12]  Boudewijn F. van Dongen,et al.  EPC Verification in the ARIS for MySAP reference model database , 2005, EPK.

[13]  Gianfranco Ciardo,et al.  Applications and Theory of Petri Nets 2005, 26th International Conference, ICATPN 2005, Miami, USA, June 20-25, 2005, Proceedings , 2005, ICATPN.

[14]  Len Silverston.  The Data Model Resource Book, Vol. 1: A Library of Universal Data Models for All Enterprises , 2001 .

[15]  Boudewijn F. van Dongen,et al.  The ProM Framework: A New Era in Process Mining Tool Support , 2005, ICATPN.