1. Introduction to European Interoperability Framework and IDAbc proposal
EPAN e-Gov working group 26/02/2004
Christian Devillers
Enterprise DG European Commission

2. Outline of the presentation
EIF
Definitions / background and objectives / scope
Overview of the EIF
EIF and national initiatives
EIF development process
Identified actions
IDA eLink
IDAbc
Objectives
A2B and A2C services
Means
Horizontal measures

3. Why interoperability?
To support the single market and its associated four freedoms (of people, capital, goods and services)
As people move and enterprises trade across Europe they need to interact electronically with public administrations in Member States other than their own.
National administration will need to obtain information from other Member States

4. Definitions
An interoperability framework for eGovernment services can be defined as the set of standards and guidelines which describe the way in which administrations have agreed, or should agree, to interact electronically with each other and with businesses and citizens.
The European Interoperability Framework (EIF) is a set of recommendations and guidelines for eGovernment services so that public administrations, businesses and citizens can interact across borders, in a pan-European context.

5. Background
An action part of the eEurope 2005 action plan under eGovernment heading
An issue addressed during the Ministerial conference on eGovernment (Como -Italy) on 7-8 July 2003
A key element of the new IDAbc programme
To reach interoperability at pan-European level, an agreed European Interoperability Framework is a necessary condition

6. Objective of the EIF
To support the European Union’s strategy of providing user centred eGovernment services
Considering the context of life events and business episodes
By facilitating, at a pan-European level, the interoperability of services and systems
between administrations and the public (citizens, and businesses)
between public administrations

7. Life events and business episodes
Public Services for Citizens
Income taxes: declaration, notification of assessment
Job search services by labour offices
Social security contributions
Personal documents (passport and driver's licence)
Car registration (new, used and imported cars)
…..
Public Services for Businesses
Social contribution for employees
VAT: declaration, notification
Registration of a new company
Submission of data to statistical offices
Public procurement
…...

8. Scope
direct interaction between citizens or businesses with the administrations of other Member States and/or with the European institutions;
e.g. a job-search service available on-line
exchange of data between administrations of different Member States in order to resolve cases that citizens or businesses may raise with the administration of their own country;
e.g. collecting pension rights from different countries
exchange of data between various EU institutions or between an EU institution and one or more administrations of Member States;
e.g. IDA sectoral networks (statistics, agriculture, …)

9. Interaction types

10. Main underlying principles
Accessibility (multi-channels, access for disabled people)
Multilingualism
Security and privacy, personal data protection
Subsidiarity
Use of Open standards
Assess the benefits of Open Source Software
Use of multilateral solutions

11. Interoperability areas
Organisational level ( a main issue)
life events and business episodes -> eGovernment services -> business processes
to be supported at pan-European level
Semantic level (a main issue)
common definitions and understanding of the data to be exchanged
Technical level
technical issues of linking up computer systems (technologies and standards used, open interfaces, data formats, protocols, …)

12. Organisational (1) Pan-European eGov services
Defined by demand-driven approach
Prioritization
Concept of Business Interoperability Interfaces
Relationships formalised through service level agreements
Common security policies

13. Organisational (2)

14. Semantic Publish information on data elements used at national level
At pan-European level:
Define data elements required
Define core eGovernment data elements (including basic identifiers for enterprises, citizens and administrations)
Define mapping tables (national -> pan-European)
XML as common mark-up language, used in a coordinated way
Cooperation with standardisation bodies

15. Technical (1)
Stage1: Online services only provide information: the consumer can read this information online or download it.
Stage2: Forms are available online, and can be downloaded, and returned by post, fax or .
Stage3: Individual transactions between an administration and an enterprise or citizen are possible: forms can be completed online, orders can be placed and paid for.
Stage4: Multiple transactions are possible; services are integrated and transactions between administrations and enterprises and citizens are fully automated.

16. Technical (2) Front-office / Back-office / Security aspects
Need for common guidelines for technical interoperability at pan-European level to adopt solutions which fit on a multilateral basis
Based on recognised open standards
Support of Multilingualism is an important aspect

17. Portal-based services

18. Application to application

19. EIF and national initiatives
EIF should be complementary to national initiatives (advisory role)
Member States to develop their own national interoperability framework or interoperable administrative infrastructures
Member States to integrate the pan-European dimension on the basis of the EIF
NB: same considerations apply, when applicable, to EU Institutions and Agencies

20. EIF development process
Framework published as a working IDA document on IDA web site since 22/01/2004 – comments are welcome
Under preparation:
Roadmap
Maintenance aspects
Common guidelines
Production of the first release (Q2 2004)
Envisaged: Commission communication to Council and Parliament on Interoperability with EIF as an annex
=>

21. Identified actions
Demand-driven study on requirements from citizens and enterprises
Prioritization of eGovernement services at pan- European level and pilot projects
Candidates: mobility in cross-border context, company registrations and eProcurement
Dissemination of results, expansion
Supported by
Common technical guidelines
Core eGovernment data elements, common identifiers
Common repository of data elements / XML vocabularies
Common tools (e.g. IDA eLink)

22. An example of interoperability middelware: IDA eLink
a middleware for application to application communication, comprising the identification of remote services through a services directory and the provision of reliable and secure transport services over proper network infrastructure.
Based on SHS, OSCI and web services standards

23. IDA eLink: Roles and double envelope concept
External application
External application
External application
Author
Reader
Node 1
Node 2
Sender
Recipient
IDA eLink
Message
Acknowledgement

24. IDAbc proposal

25. IDABC Interoperable Delivery of pan-European eGovernment Services to Public Administrations, Businesses and Citizens
Road map:
Adoption by EP in second reading: End March
Adoption by Council: May (or early June)
EP and Council signatures: July or September
Entering into force: October
Date of application: 1 January 2005

26. Objective
“The objective of the IDABC programme is to identify, support and promote the development and establishment of pan-European eGovernment services and the underlying interoperable telematic networks supporting the Member States and the Community in the implementation, within their respective areas of competence, of Community policies and activities, achieving substantial benefits for public administrations, businesses and citizens.” 2(1)
Focus on services/content and benefits
A2A, A2B and A2C activities are put on an equal footing

27. A2B & A2C Services
“The Commission undertakes and will update, as appropriate, comprehensive consultations involving all stakeholders in order to carry out a study, involving all relevant sectors, focusing on the needs of and benefits for citizens and businesses, with a view to preparing a list of necessary and beneficial pan-European eGovernment services that could be implemented within the whole duration of this Decision.” (13)
List of priorities for A2B and A2C services to be established
No specific list of priorities for A2A services

28. Means
“.. the Community shall, in cooperation with the Member States, implement projects of common interest …” 4(1)
“.. the Community shall, in cooperation with the Member States, in support of projects of common interest, undertake horizontal measures …” 5(1)
“Projects of common interest shall, whenever possible, make use of the horizontal pan-European eGovernment and infrastructure services and contribute to the further development of these services.” 4
Projects of common interest (PCIs) aim at A2A, A2B and A2C
Horizontal measures to support the PCI

29. Horizontal measures
Horizontal pan-European eGovernment services: ”horizontal measures undertaken to initiate, enable and manage the provision of horizontal pan-European eGovernment services, including organisational and coordination aspects, such as: (a) a portal to provide access to pan-European, multilingual online information and interactive services to businesses and citizens …” Annex II, A
”Infrastructure services means services provided to meet generic requirements, comprising technology and software solutions, including a European Interoperability Framework, security, middleware and network services.” 3(b)
The Commission will provide a portal for delivery of pan-European eGovernment services by the Communities and Member States
Interoperability is key

30. Horizontal Pan-European eGovernment Services
PCIs & HMs
Horizontal Pan-European eGovernment Services
A->B/C
A->B/C
A->B/C
Infrastructure Services
PCI
PCI
A→A
PCI
A→A
Infrastructure Services

31. More about IDA …...