Breaking the Chains of Vendor Lock-In : A Function-Based Modeling Solution for Multicloud Design with ArchiMate

05/20/2025

The continuous evolution of information technologies has long driven business transformation. This still holds true for the paradigm shift that represents cloud computing. In particular, the ability to combine services from multiple cloud providers offers organizations unprecedented scalability, flexibility, and resilience, representing a powerful force for innovation. However, despite these advantages, organizations face significant challenges in designing cloud architectures that align with multicloud strategies, which leads to vendor lock-in. In response, we propose a provider-agnostic, function-based solution to modeling cloud architectures within the context of Enterprise Architecture using the ArchiMate language. Our solution emphasizes modularity, neutrality, and adaptability, enabling organizations to design complex cloud architecture views that transcend provider-specific services. A key contribution of this study is the definition of 148 core functionalities, abstracted from the offerings of the five leading public cloud providers and grouped into three fundamental IT domains: Networking, Compute, and Data. This enables organizations reduce vendor lock-in by the supporting cross-provider compatibility while enhances architectural consistency, simplifies management, and fosters knowledge retention through reusable components. The applicability of this solution was demonstrated through a portuguese public institution, which welcomed the solution. Their engagement provided real-world validation. The results suggest that our solution not only improves architectural clarity but also strengthens organizations capacity to manage multicloud, aswell as hybrid environments effectively.

Authors in the community:

• 

  J

  Joaquim Pedro Correia Fialho

  ist187781

Supervisors of this institution:

• 

  A

  André Ferreira Ferrão Couto e Vasconcelos

  ist14250

• 

  P

  Pedro Manuel Moreira Vaz Antunes de Sousa

  ist12951

electrical-engineering-electronic-engineering-information-engineering - Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering

eng - English

Instituto Superior Técnico