Enterprise Software Integration Through Boundary Resources – A Case Study in the SAP Ecosystem

Leading enterprise software providers use a platform-based approach to realize the adaptability of their software solutions with extensions. In a platform-based approach, boundary resources enable the integration of extensions with the platform core. However, it is unclear how developers select appropriate boundary resources and their integrative capabilities. This paper investigates the decision process for developing boundary resources in the SAP ecosystem, presents a decision model for selecting appropriate platform boundary resources, and analyzes integration use cases. Our findings show that boundary resources differ greatly in their potential to integrate extensions with data and processes in the enterprise software and whether they can integrate across organizational borders.