Custom build applications combining, through XML adaptor technologies, legacy systems, common-of-the-shelf application (COTS) packages (e.g. ERP libraries) and specific specialist components; Use of Domain-specific Language Workbenches and associated domain-specific languages, graphical editors, transformation technologies as well as a domain specific generators for the design/programming and execution of the full lifecycle of dynamic and adaptive applications; Ontology-supported content integration and reasoning, especially for the acquisition and dissemination of product data, business intelligence, merging e-commerce catalogues and e-procurement; Semantic workflow composition in support of automating interactions between different members of business networks including different parts of an organisation and a multiplicity of partners at various levels of relational characteristics and service agreements.

Our latest research focuses on Service Oriented Architectures as the new software paradigm for using semantic annotated services (with self description of data and processes) as fundamental elements for developing applications. Service-oriented development emerged as an evolution of the component-based development to provide advantages both at the system and the business level. Systems composed of services from different providers create the basis for supporting business networks and “virtual organizations”.