GAT: ACTS Telework Chain
ACTS Guidelines Scope Sheet
(GAT-G1 Telework Interoperability Guidelines)

Chain Group: GA General Access
Chairperson: Gabriella Cattaneo dbteknibank@inet.it
Coordinator: Hill Stewart (Rapporteur) hill@btinternet.com
Chain: GAT: General Access - Telework
Chain Chairperson: Noel Hodson 100143.2571@compuserve.com
Project Officer(s):
Alessandro Barbagli aba@postman.dg13.cec.be;
Maarten Botterman 100315.1276@compuserve.com

Guideline: GAT-G1 Telework Interoperability Guidelines: G1a - Interoperability across Extranets: Developing European Competence and Confidence

Start date: 10 July 1996
First draft: 18 October 1996
Identify sample target recipient: June 1997
Endorsement by sample of recipients: end August 1997
First Review: 24 September 1997
Second Review:
Final Endorsement: 30 September 1997

Type of Guidelines

Technology - yes
Service/applications - yes
Business practice - yes
Policy - yes

Style of Guideline

High level - no
Evolution scenarios and recmommendations - yes
Detailed specification - no

Recipients of Guideline

Policy Bodies and their Contributors - yes
Business Development and Operations - yes
Customer Services - yes
Product, Service Development - yes
Contribution to Standardisation - yes
Users of ICT Services - yes

Endorsement Strategy

Contributions and endorsement will be sought from these main constituencies:
  1. Owners and operators of websites seeking to reach external target audiences
  2. Experienced Internet users able to comment on issues associated with Extranet implementation by European and other actors
  3. The ACTS community, especially those concerned with the outreach and interaction with audiences aspects of projects and programmes

Guidelines Objectives

To highlight the need for special attention in Europe to interoperability issues relating to Extranets and to recommend actions.

Guidelines Rationale

Extranets represent the purposive use of the Internet by enterprises, individuals and public services to reach external audiences (eg customers). Successful exploitation of Extranet methods by enterprises and individuals is central to Europe's future economic success in the emerging Global Networked Economy. Successful use of Extranet methods by public services and in citizen networks is central to Europe's future social cohesion and to the development of stronger links across national and other boundaries. Extranet interoperability issues arise in telework, teletrade and telecooperation. Failure to understand and address these issues constrains the successful implementation of a European Information Society.

Comments

Interoperability problems arise equally from, on the one hand, technical incompatibilities among products, services and infrastructures and, on the other hand, implementation incompatibilities introduced by users. The Guideline therefore distinguishes between technical interoperability and purpose interoperability and places its main emphasis on the latter. At the general level there is increasing consensus among developers and suppliers as to the value of interoperability and open access as opposed to closed proprietary standards; this needs to be supported and encouraged, and the particular needs arising from telework, teletrade and telecooperation need to be understood. However, there is an equal need for increased awareness and focus by users on the need to "implement for purpose interoperability" when selecting products and services and when customising their own applications. There are also significant gaps in understanding of the needs of target audiences on the part of both suppliers and implementers, including gaps in knowledge at executive as well as operational levels. Agreed objectives and principles, plus best practice guidelines, all rooted in a clear understanding of the European and global market context and user needs, will enable users, suppliers and developers to invest with more confidence in Extranet technologies and the related organisational developments.

WWW Server: http://www.eto.org.uk/gat
Participating projects: GAT Chain and others
Guideline editor name: Horace Mitchell 100136.2412@compuserve.com But please address all comments on the Guideline to etd-gat-g1@eto.org.uk .
Note that a current version of this scope sheet is online at http://www.eto.org.uk/gat/guides/g1-ss01.htm.

Return to:
Return to index of GAT ACTS Telework Chain Guidelines
General information about the GAT ACTS Telework Chain
GAT Draft Guideline G1 Telework Interoperability