Further to my earlier posting (and once again my apologies for cross
posting) , the government Interoperabilty document is at

http://www.citu.gov.uk/interoperability.htm

from where the document can be downloaded as a Word or PDF document.

The document is supposed to be a consultation document.  The consultation
period closes this Friday (21/04/00).  So those of you who know more about
this than I  do and who want to make representations to the govt better get
your skates on.

Here is an abstract:


1.3.1 Policies and Standards

The policies and technical standards for pan-government interoperability are
specified in section 2 of this document. These are seen as the minimum set
necessary to support the range of transactions and services across
government and to integrate information systems within government. These
policies and standards have also been chosen to interconnect and align
government to the Internet driven revolution.

The policies and standards in the UK GIF cover three key areas of the
architecture: Interconnectivity, Data Integration, and the Browser.

The main thrust of the specification has been to adopt the Internet and
World Wide Web standards for all government systems. There is also a
strategic decision to adopt XML as the main standard for data integration.
This strategy includes provision of XML Schemas for use throughout the
public sector.

1.3.2 Implementation Strategy

The second part of the UK GIF in section 3 provides the crucial
implementation support for the policy. This policy has introduced the
adoption of XML Schemas as the cornerstone for government data
interoperability and integration.  But adopting a standard, in itself, is
not sufficient.

We need to provide government organisations with data schemas that have been
agreed for use through out government. We also need to provide users with
Information, Best Practice guidance and Tool Kits to make implementation an
easier reality. This essential support has to be provided in a high quality
and cost-effective manner.

Our strategy for meeting the above requirements is through participation in
the GovTalk project. This is a global initiative, led by a large industry
consortium, which is developing the infrastructure support required for XML.
We intend to use this project as a major source for information, best
practice guidance and toolkit support.  The project will also provide
provisional data schemas, which will be taken as one of the inputs for
government wide consultation and adoption if appropriate.

We will also set up a specific government group called UK GovTalk and a web
site named GovTalk.gov.uk, which will contain all the draft and agreed data
schemas. This group and the web site will provide focussed government
implementation support for use of XML throughout the UK public sector.


john oxley
www.gov.uk


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