Software Architect's Handbook

Challenges with interoperability

There are a number of difficulties in providing interoperability between existing or new software systems. When dealing with requirements related to interoperability, keep in mind the following potential pitfalls:

• Even when a software system follows a particular standard when developing interoperability with another software system, the desired level of interoperability may not be met due to the two systems interpreting the standards specifications in different ways.
• Interoperability between two software systems is sometimes scaled back or put on hold because of the involvement of an existing legacy system, either directly or indirectly, when there is a desire to maintain compatibility with the legacy system. ...