From Local to Global Approach in E & P Information Systems Development
Authors: El-Abbasy Tarek 
Published: December 2007

From Local to Global Approach in E&P Information Systems Development.

Technology evolution during the last fifteen years has reshaped the way we think, work, communicate and even live, from an isolated local approach into a global one. We can no longer manipulate information effectively in any area within our business in isolation from the rest in the global environment.

This paper describes a methodology to be used in developing global enterprise business models. It also shows the technique of 'zooming out' to have a global view of information flow across geographical, organisational and time boundaries. This approach also uses a 'zooming in' technique to complement the final touches of the global view.

The author uses examples from his experience of applying this approach in the Oil and Gas production and export business areas. He also explains how the same approach can be applied to include more E&P business areas in a strategic view at the company or corporate levels.

Introduction

Globalisation is one of the main features of this decade where the world is moving towards it in several areas. For example, if we look at the political side we notice many changes taking place in this direction. The steps towards globalisation taken by the European countries can be considered as one of the most successful examples. The fragmentation of many other regimes like USSR, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia do not contradict with the trend of this decade but it highlights the need for constructing proper and strong foundation before taking any step in this direction.

If we leave the politics and look at the information side, we can also notice a fast movement towards globalisation. Nowadays, strategic decisions should be made in proper time to cope with the fast information flow through the modem communication networks. Most of the business organisations on various levels are in hunger for varieties of information to feed their decision making engines.

Required information may be spread over several geographical areas and may be related to technical, financial, social, political or any other aspect. Decision makers may need information about their subordinates, partners, customers, suppliers, competitors or even enemies.

In short, we can not live any more in isolation but we have to interact and to exchange information with others in the global world.

The story of information systems development started long time ago when the computer was sealed away in a "glass room". At that time all the keys of its secrets were in hands of the IS professionals. Although software and data for different applications were kept in one physical place and under centralised control, but functionally they were in complete isolation. Most of those applications were developed to cover limited functionality for independent group of users. It was the time of Localisation.

In the 1970s, the improvement in the hardware and software industry allowed multi-functional applications to take place in multi-user environments. Problems of maintaining data redundancy and consistency were growing up with the growth of those IS isolated applications. As a result of that, users suffered from many difficulties in exchanging data between different applications that have its own complicated or hidden structures.

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