Joined up thinking - IDABC and interoperability

This work will be progressed under the IDABC work programme through three lines of activity:

European Interoperability Framework and Architecture Guidelines

The project will see IDA Architecture Guidelines to be completely revised and updated, in order to support the EIF by providing technical guidance at a more operational level. This is necessary in response to the changing needs of European eGovernment services and the demands of emerging technologies. It is particularly true for the Architecture Guidelines, which have a shorter lifecycle due to the pace of technological change.

Therefore, under IDABC, an updated version 1.1of the EIF will be published, along with the revised IDABC Architecture Guidelines. Revision and updating will be done in consultation with Member States, EU institutions, industry and other stakeholders, and will be accompanied by a feasibility study examining the issue of an ‘online lifecycle’ for the publication of recommendations and standards.

Promoting an OpenDocument Exchange Format

IDA II examined interoperability between office application programmes. IDABC will build on this by sponsoring a feasibility study for a plug-in filter for the main office applications currently on the market, including proof of concept. This will be accompanied by dissemination work, both to promote the uptake of open document formats by the public sector, and to analyse the results of the feasibility study in conjunction with Member States and industry.

Semantic Interoperability Strategy

IDABC needs a semantic interoperability strategy to ensure a harmonised and consistent approach to managing semantic formats and assets produced by European eGoverment services. At the heart of the project will be the XML-Clearinghouse, a feasibility study, which was conducted under IDA II. The XML Clearinghouse will be implemented in 2006 and 2007. A working paper on semantic interoperability will be published for extensive consultation to become the IDABC Semantic Guidelines.

Work on semantic interoperability will augment the EIF. The action will be an important step in harmonizing semantic specifications in Europe, thus furthering collaboration between Member States and EU institutions.