A Methodology for Implementing Ontology-Driven Information Systems Using Higher Order Semantic Database Models

The eventuality of the Semantic Web offers multiple attractive features to the enterprise infrastructure in the area of improved Knowledge Management and information retrieval. Current relational database models adequately perform in the transactional processing of operational data, but do little toward the advancement of knowledge foundations for innovation. The movement from an information economy to a knowledge economy mandates that successful organizations must innovate at a faster rate than their competitors. To this end, Information Systems must extend technological infrastructures away from relational transaction systems toward higher order semantic models that can accommodate schemas based on Ontologies. This report details a methodology for mapping relational data systems to a higher order semantic model that can implement an ontology-driven information system. Additionally, this report provides conclusions about the application of ontologydriven information systems to the corporate environment.