MD3i Framework
The MD3i Framework is an enterprise semantic modeling methodology combined with a set of design patterns, governance guidelines, industry standard models, and EIM best practices that Xtensible’s customers use to establish and maintain a strategic EIM program. The focus of MD3i Framework is to introduce consistent business semantics into the design time process of large enterprise IT programs so that enterprise data can be brought under control. Over time, more and more data intelligence can be realized with a solid data management foundation. MD3i brings the necessary missing capability to efficiently engineer Smart Data to enable a Smart Grid.
An MD3i implementation includes several key components:
1) MD3i Information Modeling Methodology: provides fundamental concepts and processes for capturing information and process semantics in a clear and consistent manner with appropriate granularity.
2) MD3i Architecture Patterns: provide information and implementation architecture guidance to establish a consistent context for using the output of the MD3i Semantic Modeling Methodology.
3) MD3i Information Governance: provides guidelines and best practices for establishing and maintaining an enterprise information center of competency to ensure EIM sustainability and long term value.
4) Incorporation of Applicable Industry Standards: incorporates industry standard models, such as the IEC CIM and MultiSpeak, and methods that serve as EIM accelerators.
5) Enterprise Information: existing enterprise information in the form of data and process models, subject matter expertise, and information from disparate data stores.
6) MD3i Design Time Tools: various modeling and artifact generation tools used to facilitate use of the MD3i Framework
At the core of an MD3i implementation is the development and use of an ESM, which serves as the logical representation of information assets that an enterprise uses to manage and facilitate business processes. The diagram below shows how the ESM is used as the basis for all information needs of a typical AMI/Smart Grid solution architecture. It is the information ‘in the pipeline’ between systems for both transactional (process integration) and analytical (data integration) purposes, thus ensuring that the same ‘meaning’ of data is interpreted throughout the enterprise.
