Definition and meaning
Integrated knowledge management is a comprehensive approach that combines classic organizational knowledge management with technical knowledge management, enterprise content management (ECM) and enterprise application integration (EAI). This method aims to create an effective, holistic practice that enables companies to systematically capture, manage and harness information and knowledge.
Central components of integrated knowledge management
Central glossaries and taxonomies
A core component of integrated knowledge management are central glossaries and taxonomies, which serve as uniform reference points for all concepts, objectives, processes and organizational units within a company. These structured directories ensure that each term is clearly defined and consistently used within the company.
Permanent identifiers (PermIDs)
Another essential element is the permanent identifiers (PermIDs) that are assigned to all relevant entities within a company. These unique, permanent URLs allow any employee to access information about any relevant object or concept simply by typing the URL into a browser. These URLs act as a bridge between different applications and platforms, creating a unified information base.
Benefits of PermIDs and centralized glossaries
Seamless integration
By using PermIDs, every entity, whether a process, product or employee, is made identifiable and discoverable across different legacy systems and modern applications. This promotes seamless integration of different information systems and data sources.
Transparency and accessibility
The standardized glossaries and taxonomies enable clear and consistent communication across the entire company. They facilitate the understanding and handling of internal company processes and guidelines, resulting in increased transparency and accessibility.
Implementation and application
Automatic linking and data integration
In every document, wiki page and documentation system, URLs can be automatically inserted that link to the PermID pages. This ensures that it is always clear which exact object or concept is being discussed. In addition, knowledge from local systems can be transferred to the PermID system, allowing it to grow into an enterprise knowledge graph over time.
Creating enterprise networks
Integrated knowledge management creates a network of relationships between structured and unstructured data and between different applications and platforms. This enables a comprehensive view of all company activities and processes, which helps to improve decision-making and operational efficiency.
Future developments
Utilization of LLMs and RAG
The comprehensive and networked database enables the implementation of advanced technologies such as Large Language Models (LLMs) and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG). These technologies can be used to develop in-house chatbots that provide easy and intuitive access to all company information, supported by direct connections to sources.
Conclusion
Integrated knowledge management is not just a methodology, but a transformative strategy that empowers organizations to effectively manage and leverage their knowledge assets. By creating a seamlessly integrated, accessible and extensible information environment, a company can significantly increase its efficiency, innovation and competitiveness.