IT Ecosystems
2010 - 2012
Classical approaches of computer science do not scale well for todays large and complex software-intensive systems. Software systems cannot be considered in isolation, since they are connected among each other and interact massively. Instead, they are to be designed as parts of a larger IT Ecosystem. In analogy to biological ecosystems, IT Ecosystems are based on the balance between individuals (autonomy) and sets of rules (control) defining equilibria within an IT Ecosystem. Maintaining and continuously evolving IT Ecosystems requires deep understanding of this balance. The research topic IT Ecosystems cuts across several research areas, including the emergence of system functions, extending classical engineering approaches, adaptive infrastructures, control of semantic diversity, and enhanced human-environment-machine interaction. These core areas were addressed by the NTH focused Research School for IT Ecosystems, a cooperation of the Universities of Braunschweig, Clausthal, and Hannover.
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