Software Product Lines Approach in Enterprise System Development

Enterprise software is an untapped area for software product lines (SPL) approach. Our current understanding of enterprise SPL is as follows. The enterprise SPL is based upon an application centric architecture, which manages variability of platform and non-functional requirements, and achieves variability management for functional requirements in an application layer. NRI has been executing this approach through two projects, (I) development of semi made-to-order package software for the retail chains and (II) restructuring of enterprise systems owned by Seven & i Holdings, the biggest conglomerate of retail industry in Japan. This paper mainly describes what application centric architecture is and how this approach differs from others with lessons learned for the last five years.