Last update: 01/2004
What is MIDDLEWARE XML?
Objectives
How does it work?
Achievements
Benefits
The role of IDABC
Technical information
Documentation
What is MIDDLEWARE XML?
IDABC MIDDLEWARE XML will provide recommendations on how to use XML and related middleware technologies for the exchange of business data between the IDABC participants. A key part of this action is to investigate the ebXML framework and examine its feasibility as a standard way for the implementation of message oriented middleware solutions. Typically, middleware solutions provide either messaging or remote procedure call services to allow separate applications to communicate.
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Objectives
The objective is to develop a consistent approach for the use of middleware technologies in support of IDABC networks. While XML is the key technology to be investigated the project should not be regarded as restricted to the use of XML. Remote procedure call solutions and Web-Services will also be investigated and used in IDABC networks if appropriate. In fact, all middleware solutions could be regarded as potentially coming within the scope of this project, provided they are based on open standards and specifications and can be used to provide generalised, replicable and portable solutions for the transport of data in IDABC networks.
The first action is a feasibility study that will:
- provide an analysis of the middleware solutions and business models currently in use in the enterprise sector;
- determine the feasibility of the ebXML1 specifications as a standard business method for IDABC and the use of message-oriented middleware as the technology of choice for those IDABC sectoral networks that follow the data collection, data exchange, data dissemination and data sharing models of the IDABC Architectural Guidelines;
- determine the suitability of B2B business models for A2A information exchanges.
The project will also provide consultancy and advice on the use of XML and other middleware solutions to IDABC sectoral networks and development assistance if required.
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How does it work?
The interoperability aspect of eGovernment is a major issue addressed by IDABC XML MIDDLEWARE allows the achievement of application interoperability and semantic interoperability because it facilitates the exchange of data interpretable between applications.
XML-related technologies allow application interoperability by defining distributed applications issues, as the remote procedure call method invocation mechanisms and the public interface exportation/binding.
XML-related technologies also allow semantic interoperability by easing data interpretation, by means of XML schemas, and the knowledge representation and exploitation, by means of ontologies and repositories.
IDABC is analysing the wide range of XML-technologies available to produce specific guidelines for the IDABC networks.
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Achievements
- IDA(BC) launched a Call for Tender in the summer of 2002 in order to set up MIDDLEWARE XML, one of the interoperability measures, in support of IDA(BC) sectoral networks.
- The successful contractor examined the various XML-based models for B2B (business to business) activities over the Internet with a view to making concrete recommendations on their possible use as the data exchange standard across IDABC networks.
- A final report on the use of XML-based eBusiness frameworks for IDA(BC) and sectoral networks was delivered in September 2003.
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Who benefits?
IDABC Networks: New IDABC networks will have a specific guide to deal with XML in a coherent way. This way, they save time analyzing what the recommended principles to implement XML are. Existing IDABC networks can profit from the analysis to tailor the evolution of their implementations in line with the market and technology trends.
Public Administrations: European Commission and national administrations can also take advantage of the study for their own XML-related implementations regardless of whether they are linked to the IDABC Programme. The use of XML frameworks is a key subject for any officer with IT responsibility. As the study is publicly available, any other organization willing to use XML can profit from this investigation made by the IDABC Programme.
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The role of IDABC
By launching this action in its Work Programme 2003, IDABC intends to determine the feasibility of the XML frameworks as a standard business method for IDABC. IDABC also intends to explore the possibility of using the message-oriented middleware as the chosen technology for IDABC sectoral networks that follow the data collection, data exchange, data dissemination and data sharing models of the IDABC Architectural Guidelines.
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Technical information
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Project start date
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2002
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Project completion date
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2003
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Project status
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Completed
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IDA budget
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2002 € 138,000
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Responsible service
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DG Enterprise and Industry - IDABC Unit
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Project coordinator
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Emilio Castrillejo
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Contact
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idabc@ec.europa.eu
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Countries involved
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All EU Member States
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Documentation on Middleware XML
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