The overall goal of this research is to design a distributed, extensible, c
ross-platform, collaorative, and integrated system that can supplement info
rmation systems with hypertext support. In this paper, we propose a dynamic
ally mapped open hypermedia system (DMOHS) framework that can support infor
mation systems fully. Our framework has two axes: a logical component focus
and an application requirement focus. In Axis 1, we propose a conceptual D
MOHS architecture with eight logical components. In Axis 2, we define and d
iscuss major aspects of a DMOHS that should be supported in a distributed a
nd integrated environment. Together the two axes provide a grid for specify
ing the logical DHOMS functionality for supporting application requirements
. Given this framework, we first evaluate five open hypermedia systems and
the www, and then design our own system implemented on top of the www. This
paper also contributes guidelines for building mapping routines that suppl
ement on top of the www. Further, it contributes guidelines for building ma
pping routines that supplement information systems with hypertext support.
(C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.