Information Bus: “getting it”

I’ve been trying out numerous metaphors on people to socialize the concepts of a rationalized information bus that makes data visible, accessible, and understandable.  My ramblings have lead me to a deceptively simple example (yes, I gave up on metaphors – too many were missing the mental leap for it to be of value).

The example begins with HR systems.  Employees need to be represented by a variety of data such last name, first name, middle initial, pay information, etc.  We all know that, so big deal.  What if that employee also has a subscription to the newspaper?  I guarantee you that a separate data stovepipe exists in which that subscriber is captured.  One more step: imagine that employee subscriber also runs a home business making fishing lures and wants to advertise in the paper.  Yep, they exist again in some other data stovepipe because of advertising.  Hypothetical?  Sure.  Unrealistic example?  Absolutely not – I am 2 of those 3 and might be apt to start a home business and advertise in the paper just prove anyone wrong who says it could never happen.  It could, but that’s not the point I am going after.  Even representing the same person more than once is, in my opinion, a failure to have full realized the potential of a true information bus.  Why?  Here’s a pragmatic reason: my subscription cost is taken out of my pay (by my own choosing, I should note).  Imagine the elegance of the circulation department not having to re-create me as a customer since I am already an employee.  Granted, that example is not indicative of many people in the area, but it is provided only as an internally-engaging thought for the company (most of whom are subscribers).  In short, the example is them and makes them “getting it” much easier.