For Automation Architects: Using IntelliGrid Architecture as Roadmap for Corporate Architectures

The actual UML model that represents IntelliGrid Architecture architectural components is a powerful tool for the industry to use in application development. This section illustrates how a system engineer might use the UML model directly in starting a project and generating initial concepts and documentation.

The IntelliGrid Architecture provides a set of ‘standardized interface’ blocks for rapid prototyping of potential Use Cases. Logical interfaces between components – devices, computers, networks, and operators – can be tried out using the integrated IntelliGrid Architecture UML library. Logical inconsistencies in prospective applications can be quickly eliminated before lower level interfaces are planned. The IntelliGrid Architecture UML library can also generate a maintainable set of documentation directly from the advanced tool set without additional authoring.

The most time consuming and expensive part of a project is starting it. IntelliGrid Architecture gives a new development project a big step up by providing:

§ A documentation style and framework that is comprehensive for application development

§ A starting set of documentation for requirements, functionality, nomenclature

§ Several potential jumping off points for the project. Based on IntelliGrid Architecture functional elaborations, one may be selected that is close to the project at hand. This documentation can then simply be expanded and elaborated with additional or differing user requirements resulting in a rapid initial set.

§ A set of standardized blocks for rapid prototyping of potential use cases. Logical interfaces between components – devices, computers, networks, and operators – can be tried out using the integrated IntelliGrid Architecture UML library. Logical inconsistencies can be eliminated quickly before lower level interfaces are planned.

§ The ability to generate a maintainable set of documentation directly from the advanced tool set without additional authoring.