The significance of standardised enterprise architecture is becoming increasingly evident both worldwide and in the South African market.
Enterprise architect at Telkom Sarina Viljoen says: "Enterprise architecture has matured over the past years and this has created the need for standardisation."
Previously, she adds, there was little collaboration, because companies were more internally focused; but now they are more willing to set aside competitive attitudes in favour of an industry standard.
The Open Group, an industry consortium which sets recommended standards for enterprise architecture, is represented locally by Real IRM. Real IRM says 9% of The Open Group`s worldwide members are South African companies and these companies represent 28% of all new members that joined the consortium in 2006.
"A key benefit is the member`s exposure to an international community of practising enterprise architects, all working with a common framework," says Stuart Macgregor, MD of Real IRM.
The newest South African members are the University of Pretoria and Telkom, and, says Viljoen, Telkom will now contribute to the Open Group Architecture Framework.
With the University of Pretoria looking to implement a post-graduate programme in enterprise architecture, membership could provide a practical resource for the educators.
Dr Machdel Matthee, a senior lecturer from the university`s Department of Informatics, says: "The main benefit is the availability of resources that we could use in our teaching and research. Later on, we will be in the position to contribute to the group through our own research."
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