The document discusses how application frameworks can help businesses build applications to run their operations effectively. It notes that modern applications need infrastructure like data, business logic, and user interfaces. The author argues for a strategic approach using standard building blocks like an application framework to minimize custom coding and integrate technologies. Oracle Application Development Framework is provided as an example, which allows extending Oracle ERP systems while protecting development investments as the standards evolve.

1. DRIVING BUSINESS FORWARD
WITH APPLICATION FRAMEWORKS
The Enterprise Applications building blocks
& the strategic role
of the Application Framework
Jean-Marc Desvaux – General Construction Co. Ltd

2. A Fact
It’s a truism to say that
Businesses need Applications
to run their business effectively.
We need to build Applications
for our business.

3. Another Fact
Modern Enterprise Applications
need an infrastructure to run
(on-premises or cloud-based or mixed)
Minimum building blocks are:
------------------------------
Data
Business logic
User Interface
Security

4. Facts are :
“We need to build ..”
on top of an infrastructure.
It means we have the responsibility to
Implement applications to help us improve
our processes and differentiate ourselves with
the competition in a sustainable and flexible way
It means it’s not an IT problem but a real
and serious business one.

5. How do we achieve that ?
Commercial off-the-shelf , ERP or custom built ?
If custom built : .NET, J2EE, Rational,
Uniface, AJAX, XML, Jquery, Web Services,
Flex, PHP, Python ………?
If ERP/COTS : Sage, MS Dynamics, SAP,
Oracle EBS, Oracle Fusion Apps,
Salesforce, Open ERP, Infor …… ?
Client Server, Web, Mobile, Cloud ?
SQL, NoSQL, … ?

6. The functional only approach
(technical aspects not taken into account)
The result will be a set of best-of-breed silos.
=>Integration & updates nightmare
=>High costs of acquisition & support
=>Risk to Frankensteinize the Enterprise IS
=>Security problems
=>An Ostrich Policy

7. The functional & technical
approach
Face the Technical challenge and try
to simplify as much as possible while
aligning the IS with the processes complexity

8. How do we do that ?
Clearly define our Strategy
The Business Strategic part :-
First by understanding our processes in details
and taking structural & functional decisions
The Technical Strategic Part:-
Choose a technical approach:
Vanilla ERP, Custom or a Mixed of both?

9. The Technical approach
ERP?
Ideally a pure ERP would be the best.
But Growth and Differentiation are
Some of the intrinsic Business natures
If ERP is ok today, What about tomorrow ?

10. The Reality
Based on a Panorama Consulting 2008 Survey

11. The Reality
Starting near 100% ERP, 0% Custom
Ending 25% ERP, 75% Custom

12. IMHO
If Ending 25% ERP, 75% Custom,
Why Not 100% custom ?
Or see the ERP roles mainly as
a catalyst, a way
To kick-start the move and
serve as a base to build on.

13. In this case, the ERP choice
must be made on its customisation
capabilities.
Instead of looking primarily
at ERP functional Standards
we must look at the
Standards exposed by
the customisation tools & their
roadmap.
In other words, we need standard
Building blocks.

14. “Standard Building Blocks” ?
If the ERP has been developed
on these Standards blocks,
Mastering them allows us
to extend or build to our specificity.
As the standard blocks evolves,
We can evolve with them,
Protecting our development
investment

15. Another name for these
Building Blocks
The Application Development
Framework

16. AF Advantages
Defines Patterns & Anti-patterns
Defines Best Practices
Custom coding % is minimal & sits on the AF
AF technology upgrades work left to the AF provider
Don’t bother on Industry standards implementation,
The Framework deals with it
Configure (don’t code) Security
Architects & Developers Communities

17. How to select an AF
Rich UI /
Component based
Pure web User interfaces (No plug-ins)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum coding / Declarative programming
for better productivity & easier learning curve
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Devices independence
(Same AF to develop for Browser, phones, tablets..)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong integration with Database (ORM)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Integrates Security (Id & Auth)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on & Support of Industry standards
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Choose a strategic AF not an opportunistic one
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Documentations, tutorials, learning materials availability

18. An example : Oracle ADF
Choosing Oracle ADF as your building blocks
is a strong strategy because all Oracle Fusion Apps
& other Oracle products like WebCenter
are built with ADF.
Meaning all Oracle ERP consultants, ERP developers
and Oracle themselves are using or will use ADF
directly or indirectly.
=>There is a strong Technology Commitment on ADF.

19. Oracle ADF Architecture
An extended MVC pattern

20. Oracle ADF Architecture
An extended MVC pattern
The Business Services layer - provides access to data
from various sources and handles business logic.
The Model layer - provides an abstraction layer on top
of the Business Services layer, enabling the View and
Controller layers to work with different implementations
of Business Services in a consistent way.
The Controller layer - provides a mechanism to control
the flow of the Web application.
The View layer - provides the user interface of the
application.

21. The IDE (one for all your development)
JDeveloper

22. Oracle ADF UI components
ADF Faces Rich Client

23. Oracle ADF Mobile
Same IDE (JDeveloper), same Framework
If you are an ADF developer,
you are an ADF Mobile Developer
Same declarative environment
ADF Mobile also allows developers to take full
advantage of the security features in ADF.

24. Oracle ADF Mobile
Hybrid Apps
Leverages HTML5, JavaScript and CSS to develop rich
user interfaces across multiple platforms and devices.
Deep access to native device services, such as phone,
SMS, camera, GPS and more (PhoneGap)
Supports both real-time and offline data access
Offline support using SQLite – encryption included
Consistent experiences between desktop-based and
mobile application development
Build secure mobile applications with end-to-end
encryption on a proven platform

25. Oracle ADF Mobile
Same IDE (JDeveloper), same Framework

26. Oracle ADF Mobile
iOS, Android / Phones, Tablets

27. An ADF case study
Transport of Labour
on Construction Sites
Sophisticated off-the-shelf
Transport Logistic software
could not deal with daily changes in
Transport Requirements

28. An ADF case study where
only custom development can bring value

30. Infrastructure
Oracle Jdeveloper & ADF
Oracle Middleware
ADF deployed to Weblogic 11g
Oracle HTTP Server & webcache
Oracle Internet Directory
Oracle Single Sign-on
Oracle Database

31. What the Enterprise need
to adopt such a strategy
Own/Master your Data Model and the ERP
Data Model.
Hire people & coach/train them
on the Application Framework to develop
Custom applications.
They will be able to extend & maintain ERPs (if any)
Implement Best Practices & internal standards
Choose any external services (Cloud-based,
Social Networks etc..) with integration
as a key selection criteria.

32. Thank you

33. Some ADF links
ADF on Oracle Technology Network
www.oracle.com/adf
www.oracle.com/mobile
Oracle Learning Library
www.oracle.com/oll
YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/ADFInsiderEssentials
Or just search for “Oracle ADF”, lots of videos tutorials & demos
ADF Enterprise Methodology Group
groups.google.com/group/adf-methodology