EAI and SOA: factors and methods influencing the integration of multiple ERP systems (in an SAP environment) to comply with the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act

Abstract

Purpose

The paper seeks to review the factors and methods used to integrate multiple ERP systems to comply with the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act (SOA) in an EAI environment focusing on the SAP business warehouse application.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines earlier research, surveys, actual processes and documentation defined in the SAP system as well as information gathered from developers, auditors and compliance experts.

Findings

To comply with the SOA, it is advisable to look to the area of EAI for assistance. The challenge of configuring a landscape to comply with the SOA without EAI means that most of the links for data transfer would be interfaces versus integration, which is not acceptable to compliance groups. For SOA requirements, including internal controls, testing, security, authorisations and consistency and speeds, there are tools to help successfully achieve the goal of IT compliance in the SAP environment.

Research limitations/implications

As SOA continues to take shape, further review and investigation of how these changes will affect the EAI environment must be undertaken.

Practical implications

The paper provides the realisation that achieving SOA compliance is not an easy task, and that the available technology must be used to complete this task. IT must structure a governing organisation similar to that found on the applications side of the system to comply with the SOA.

Originality/value

With the passing and implementation of the SOA, companies are experiencing additional pressure to develop the means to constantly audit themselves internally. As technology is the key to achieving this goal, organisations must prepare their IT infrastructures to support compliance and the IT departments to develop strategy.

Citation

Maurizio, A., Girolami, L. and Jones, P. (2007), "EAI and SOA: factors and methods influencing the integration of multiple ERP systems (in an SAP environment) to comply with the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act", Journal of Enterprise Information Management, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 14-31. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410390710717110