1. preANVIL: Design of A Networked Virtual Interoperability Laboratory Michael Gould Computer Graphics Lab University Jaume I Castellón, Spain 6th EC-GIS Workshop, Lyon

2. preANVIL Interoperability in Europe Overview and possible scenarios Partners and Work packages Key questions, issues Expected results Invitation to participate

3. Interoperability in Europe Many international initiatives, OGC Europe just beginning to take part –GIPSIE, ELADIS, GETIS, ETeMII, OGC Europe –integration, not competition, with international work –primary need: information dissemination Interop: key to growth and competitiveness in the European GI market Key research topic: AGILE Interop WG

4. The preANVIL project February 1999 workshop at JRC: Virtual Interoperability Laboratory (VIL) –in collaboration with DG III –a brainstorming session –Among the conclusions: “Europe could benefit from a laboratory conducting practical tests and making recommendations oriented to improving interoperability of relevant information systems and data.”

5. preANVIL September 1999: JRC’s call for tender –“To assess the technology progress in the area of interoperability of information systems in general and GIS in particular... –To set up a showcase for the demonstration of project results with potential to contribute to the interoperability of GI and GIS systems, –To assess the feasibility and define a sustainability policy for the establishment of a GIS Interoperability laboratory in Europe, –To catalyse technical discussions regarding GI/GIS interoperability and harmonising the interoperability strategy through discussion at technical forums, concertation meetings and a Workshop.”

6. preANVIL Official project title: –“PreANVIL: An Accompanying Measure for the Interoperability of Geographic Information Systems in Europe – A Technology Perspective” Duration: Feb-June and July-Nov 2000 Funding: 100+100 kEuro We believe ANVIL will be built in Europe, the question is how and by whom...

7. Scenarios: composition ANVIL as a simple web portal –dissemination of information ANVIL as a full-time, staffed operation –central server, offices, researchers/sys ops –secondary nodes at various European sites Component model of funding and creation Single centralised laboratory (AVIL) Others (your ideas here)

8. Scenarios: roles, tasks ANVIL as communication mechanism –workshops, website, discussion forum(s) –builds, maintains a virtual interop community ANVIL as geo-interop R+TD centre –conformance testing of software –create new standards/recommendations –liasion with other global initiatives Other tasks...

9. preANVIL partners Gere S.A. (L), coordinator Geobase Consultants Ltd. OpenGIS Consortium (Europe) Ltd. Technical University Vienna University Jaume I, tech. coordinator University of Münster Idelux

10. Work Packages WP1: Project coordination and QA WP2: Technology observatory WP3: GIS interoperability showcase WP4: Technical forum, meetings/workshops WP5: GIS Interop Information Service (IIS)

11. WP2: Technology observatory Desk study –EC project review, website survey –state of the art in the interoperability field –technology trends studied...incl webmapping, mobile technologies, external forces shaping GI interop –from >500 projects to 290 GI-related projects to 27 (4%) focusing on interoperability topics –interop matters: on-going projects (few results) –synthesis, results analysis currently under way

12. Interop project categorisation 3 main focuses

13. Interop Technology Graph Middleware technologies, DCPs, etc. Server technologies Client technologies

14. Technology observatory Close attention is being paid to mobile technologies (WAP, 3G phone technology, etc.) and their possible roles in geospatial interoperability issues Location based mobile services (OGC) Must think 12 months ahead......but the window of opportunity is closing

15. Technology observatory Interviews –Approximately 10 key people to be interviewed within and beyond the GI field being conducted in June (Agile, EC-GIS, etc.) –Topics/protocol to be based on desk study results and feedback from technical forum –Beta (test) interviews conducted at various meetings i.e. OGC TC

16. Technology observatory ANVIL Rough Idea –Design of a possible ANVIL example tasks to be carried out by the lab possible players / contributors sustainability –Business plan –Concept / vision statement –Under way: call for contributions to appear in OJEC and in public forums

17. WP3: GIS Interop. Showcase Internet based demonstrations of key interop-related projects –Clearly showing the value of GIS interoperability to Europe Based on scenarios: travel from airport to hotel; environmental disaster... Multimedia demonstrations for public use

18. WP4: Tech. Forum, meetings Actions aimed at gaining the input of key players: How should ANVIL work? Technical Forum: mail list (preanvil@jrc.it) –moderated (not filtered) –110+ subscribers at present (20 countries) –Position papers published each month, to spark debate –more active discussions sought! –we need your opinions and suggestions

19. Tech Forum (cont.) Position papers thus far (4) –introduction to preANVIL and problematic of interoperability –WAP and associated mobile technologies –data quality/pricing (quick and dirty data for mobileGIS) –location based mobile services: competing standards...

20. Meetings Concertation meeting of 15-20 selected experts –Probably in Ispra (JRC) –Date: t.b.d. Final workshop with printed proceedings –November 2000, jointly with IST Conference (Nice)

21. WP5: GIS-Interop Info System GIS-IIS –website, portal covering all project issues –links to “everything” –www.ec-gis.org/preanvil –“public” since June 1

22. Expected Results Compilation of interop-related projects Website (GIS-IIS), links to resources Publicly available interop showcase Final workshop, meeting(s) ANVIL rough idea, business plan Synergy with other relevant projects Emphasis on public participation, feedback

23. Key questions Does Europe need ANVIL? What should it’s role be? Who (orgs, people) should run it? How distributed (networked) should it be? Can it be self-sustained? –Financing model? Role of emerging mobile technologies?

24. Invitation to Participate preANVIL is an open process depends on feedback from key players in the GI (and other related) fields –academics as well as practicioners/vendors/users subscribe to preanvil@jrc.it participate in workshops/meetings

25. Further Information Many consortium members present at 6 EC- GIS workshop PO: rui.meneses@jrc.it Consortium: yves.reginster@gere.lu Web site: www.ec-gis.org/preanvil/ 6th EC-GIS, Lyon