systemFrom

Systemfrom is a labeling convention used in systems engineering and data integration to denote the originating system or component for data items, events, or requests. In models, schemas, and documentation, systemFrom records where an item originated, enabling provenance, traceability, and impact analysis across components and stages of a process.

The term is a portmanteau of “system” and “from” and is used in practice in data lineage, API contracts, and event-driven architectures. It can appear as an explicit attribute (for example, systemFrom in a JSON payload), a relationship in a graph model, or a field in a data catalog. Systemfrom helps teams reason about the flow of information and requirements for security, compliance, and maintenance.

Examples can be found in various representations. In JSON: { "systemFrom": "CRM" }. In an event payload: { "eventType": "OrderPlaced", "systemFrom": "EcommercePortal" }. In configuration or schema files: - systemFrom: "BillingService". These usages support origin tracking, aggregation, and impact analysis when changes occur downstream.

Implementation considerations include naming conventions (case sensitivity, consistency across services), governance (who can define or modify systemFrom values), and defaulting behavior (whether a missing value implies a known source). It is commonly used alongside related concepts such as systemTo (destination system), data provenance, and data lineage.

See also: data provenance, data lineage, source system, origin, provenance edge.