Part VII: Architecture Capability Framework

An Application Programming Interface (API) is a construct that enables communication between systems. Integration between systems in complex environments continues to be a business priority to support automation activities. An API can be purpose-built for a bespoke integration (typical of legacy systems), or alternatively a standard connector can be developed between industry standard systems such as ERP’s and Service Management platforms. Managing these integrations becomes a complex operational task as updates and new releases to the integrated systems (and enabling technologies), can lead to intensive release management and testing activities. Security is also of utmost concern when managing integrations as the API provides a potential entry-point from either system integration direction – the API has become a preferred target for malicious attacks on systems and networks.

Clustering provides users with a new way of interacting with content in their repository. It provides an enhanced analysis capability directly from the 3D Visualizer by logically grouping objects based on their relationships, concepts, and definitions. Filters can be applied to the clusters through the table-based view using existing functionality to focus analysis efforts (for example only clustering objects that are related to a risk with a high impact). The number of clusters can also be defined by the user to provide a broader or more concise result.