Analyzing the Extensibility Options of Business Software Solutions

Extensibility as a quality attribute plays a significant role in the context of business software. A valuable comparison between the extensibility options of different solutions is crucial for the right purchase decision, but not straightforward. Existing papers describe rather informal analyses that are not based on empirical studies. SAP AG applied the Goal Question Metric approach to develop a generic reference model in cooperation with the University of Karlsruhe. This model can be used for an empirical analysis of the extension options of enterprise software. A case study finally compared SAP’s new “Business ByDesign” solution with two other competitors and showed the practical applicability and limitations of the aforementioned model.