The ARIS architecture developed here is described in concrete terms as an information model within the entity-relationship approach. This information model, in turn, serves as the basis for the systematic and rational application of methods in the development of information systems. Furthermore, it provides the basis for storing the enterprise's application-specific data, organization and function models. The ARIS architecture constitutes a framework within which integrated applications can be developed, optimized and converted into EDP-technical implementations. At the same time, it demonstrates how economics can examine and analyze information systems so as to translate their contents into EDP-form.