M-Cubed is a systems integration company with over 24 years of experience during which time we have integrated a broad spectrum of systems solutions for various governmental agencies. For example, M-Cubed built out a J2EE middleware infrastructure for the U.S. Treasury – Financial Management Service emerging Web 2.0 application systems. For this solution, WebSphere MQ provides the foundation for advanced integration and workflow services and WebSphere Business Integration Message Broker (WBISF - formerly MQ System Integrator) provides intelligent routing and data transformation. M-Cubed developed a detailed WBISF installation guide for FMS and we developed custom scripts to ease the installation process.

The major frameworks that guide the M-Cubed system architectural and engineering processes include the Federal Enterprise Architecture (FEA) Framework, agency specific Enterprise Architectures, industry standard design patterns and application frameworks, the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) structures, and government and industry security standards and mandates. A brief description of these frameworks and how they will guide M-Cubed’s architectural and engineering processes is provided in the following subparagraphs.

Federal Enterprise Architecture (FEA)

The FEA framework consists of a set of interrelated “reference models” designed to facilitate cross-agency analysis and the identification of duplicative investments, gaps and opportunities for collaboration within and across agencies. Collectively, the reference models comprise a framework for describing important elements of the FEA in a common and consistent way. Through the use of this common framework and vocabulary, IT portfolios can be better managed and leveraged across the Federal government. The five FEA reference models include Performance Reference Model (PRM), Business Reference Model (BRM), Service Component Reference Model (SRM), Technical Reference Model (TRM), and Data Reference Model (DRM).

Government agencies are required to be compliant with FEA program requirements and to meet Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requirements. M-Cubed will use FEA framework and work with each federal agency to provide architecture specific information for populating the FEA reference models at the agency level.

Reference Architecture

A Reference Architecture (RA) is a predefined end-to-end architecture designed for use in particular business and technical contexts. RAs were derived from approaches that have been successfully implemented multiple times. For example, the e-business RA is a generalized e-business oriented architecture that focuses on Web-based solutions. M-Cubed has taken advantage of these design patterns on many projects.

Architectural Patterns

Architectural patterns express commonly occurring structures of large-grained components within a system and consider their externally visible characteristics, rather than details of their internal design. A widely known layered architectural pattern, for example, can be applied to building different types of software, such as middleware, operating systems, network systems, and business applications.

M-Cubed will make use of RAs and architecture patterns for defining the architecture and high-level design of a solution. The benefits of using an RA is increased project quality and reduced project risk through reuse of the best practices captured in the RA.

Application Framework

An application framework defines a set of architectural building blocks that act as the foundation for developing applications. Usually an application framework consists of a set of libraries or classes that are used to implement the standard structure of an application. By bundling a large amount of reusable code into a framework, much time is saved for the developer, since he/she is relieved of the task of rewriting large amounts of standard code for each new application that is developed. For example, “Struts” is widely used as an open source framework for building Servlet/JSP-based Web applications based on the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design paradigm. The spring framework is another example of full-stack Java/J2EE application framework that will be considered for application on DADS.

Use of application frameworks delivers significant benefits for system development projects, reducing development effort and costs while improving test coverage and quality. Application framework based solutions can be put between pure custom developed and COTS based solutions in terms of solution flexibility, cost, and risk trade-offs. While developing the DADS solution architecture the IBM Team will identify the most appropriate application frameworks and apply them to the solution.

Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

The ITIL is a framework of best practice approaches intended to facilitate the delivery of high quality IT services. ITIL outlines an extensive set of infrastructure management procedures that are intended to support businesses in achieving both quality and value for money in IT operations. These procedures are supplier independent and have been developed to provide guidance across the breadth of IT infrastructure, development, and operations.

M-Cubed will tailor ITIL best practices as appropriate for management of the DADS infrastructure implementation, operations and maintenance and incorporate them into corresponding processes and procedures.

Security

Security (FISMA, FIPS, NIST pubs, and others) mandates, processes and controls will be incorporated into all architecture and engineering services to ensure secure systems, data, operating environments, and processes are maintained.