IETM INTEROPERABILITY ISSUES

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IETM INTEROPERABILITY ISSUES NATO IETP/IETM
Exchange Meeting II 19-21 July 2000 Eric L.
Jorgensen, NAVSAEA Naval Surface Warfare Center,
Carderock Division U.S. Department of the Navy
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IETM/IETP Issues related to achieving the
Interoperability of IETM/IETPs in Joint Operations

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First Issue -What is Interoperability?

• Shell Interoperability - Single Browser Shell
  (e.g., Web Browser)
• Link-Reference Interoperability - Syntax,
  Mechanism, Addressing Model, Maintaining
  Registries
• User-Interface Standard - Common Look and Feel
• Process Interoperability - COM, CORBA, XML-SOAP

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Issues on Specifications

• Tight Product Specification
• Object Interface Only
• De Facto Standards
• W3C Recommendations
• Indexing Standard
• Enveloping Standards for Transmission
• Relation to Content Standards

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Registry/Metadata Issues

• SYNTAX Key Words, XML Structures, Comma
  Separated Lists, Relational Tables
• SYMANTICS Proscribed Data Elements,
  Self-describing Data, Mimimum Required
• Indexing/Search Approaches - Keyed to Available
  Metadata
• Registries - Preregistered Process AutoRegistry
  Process -Worms and Sniffers

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Need Issues

• Needed to support Joint Operations in Near Term -
  Near Universal Implementation
• Important but Not Critical in Short Term - Slow
  and steady process is goal over several years as
  justified by benefit
• Goal/Nice-to-Have - Interoperability Goal only
  occasionally achieved with cooperating partners
• The Perceived Degree of Need will Drive Solutions
  and Time Tables

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Many Small Multi-National Issues

• Character Sets (2,3,4 byte?)
• Color Palette Standards for Compressed Graphics
• Icon Standardization for IETM/P Function and
  Navigation
• Facilitators for Automatic Translation
• Paper Size for Printed Output
• Uniform Acronym IETP? ITP? (Not manual)

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Issue What is Role of Internet and World Wide
Web in de facto Standards

• Best Example of Achievable International
  Interoperability
• Drives availability of Vendor Products
• Setting for XML family of Standards for Next
  Generation Web Products
• Basis of U.S. DoD IETM Interoperability Handbook
  and Planned Infrastructure

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Decision and Action Issues

• Overarching Issue is What Actions and/or
  Decisions are Needed and by Whom they are
  executed. Progression
• Information Exchange
• Consensus Agreement
• Formal Statements of Minimum Capability
• Formal Standards? Recommendations?
• Leading up to Multi-Lateral Decision by Empowered
  Agents

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Decision Maker Support Issues

• Need Senior Leadership Attention and Commitment
  to find Solution
• Issue Who sees this as Hero making Opportunity?
• Individual Programs (who have to fund) often do
  not see need for Interoperability
• Need Priority on Emerging Information
  Infrastructure - On par with Asset Visibility of
  Parts/Consumables and Supply-chain Automation

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What is Role of Industry Standards Bodies for
IETPs

• Aerospace (AIA and AECMA)
• ATA
• Auto Industry
• CALS Follow-Ons (by whatever name they are
  called)

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Eric L. Jorgensene-mail jorgensenel_at_nswccd.navy.
milDoD IETM Interoperability Handbook and Joint
IETM Architecture (JIA) Documentshttp//navycal
s.dt.navy.mil/ietmselect Reports