An Enterprise System Architecture Where Integration Is a Core Design Principle
ERP platforms, best-of-breed applications, and custom-built systems are typically created under the assumption that integration can be resolved later.
Over time, organizations accumulate hundreds—or thousands—of applications that cannot easily exchange data or aggregate it for reporting and AI.
The 3D Federated Software Platform is designed so that data exchange and aggregation are intrinsic properties of the architecture, not add-on projects introduced after deployment.
Designed for Federated Organizations
Traditional systems are generally designed around the requirements of an individual application. When those systems later need to work together, integration must be added through APIs, mappings, interfaces, master-data processes and data pipelines.
3D starts with a different premise:
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Systems that will eventually need to work together should be designed from the beginning with the mechanisms required to work together.
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Identity, shared data, data exchange, governance, history and aggregation are therefore addressed as parts of the architecture rather than as separate integration projects.
Integration by Design
In a federated organization, different business units have different responsibilities, processes and system requirements. 3D does not require them to operate one application or conform to one operational model.
Each business unit can have a system tailored to its own requirements while participating in a common architectural foundation.
Common information can be defined once and shared across systems. Records retain their identities as they move between systems.
Governance determines which system has authority to maintain shared information, while subscriptions determine where that information should flow.
Data from participating systems can then be aggregated into an organization-wide data warehouse without requiring the operational systems themselves to become one system.
Local autonomy and enterprise integration are designed together rather than one being sacrificed for the other.
Federated Software
Implement incrementally
Systems can be introduced one business unit at a time rather than through a single enterprise-wide replacement program.
Evolve independently
Each system can change as its business requirements change without requiring the entire federation to move in lockstep.
Integrate existing systems
Existing applications can participate through interfaces to the federation, allowing modernization to proceed according to business priorities rather than requiring wholesale replacement.
Contain implementation risk
Each implementation can address a defined business problem while also becoming part of the larger federation.
Retain local control
Business units can retain control over their operational systems while participating in common enterprise mechanisms for shared data, exchange and aggregation.