A method for collaborative development of systems of systems in the office domain

Seamless interoperability across system boundaries and optimally tailored solutions for customers are dominating concerns in the vision of future office infrastructures. This means to change the way how office systems are developed from today's ad-hoc integration of independent systems towards a collaborative approach for adequate systems of systems. In this paper, we propose a development method based on product line engineering to support the efficient production of customized solutions. The interoperability issues are tackled by a collaboration model separating solution providers and suppliers and by a reference architecture defining clear specifications of the components to be integrated. Together with our production method, interoperability in complex systems of systems is supported by construction.