Ensuring your data is in the right place at the right time
John Chapman Senior Architect: Information Management
14-19 Diplomas: Learning the lessons of the new operating model24 November 2008
Presentation 7: Standards Interoperability Framework
SIF explained
SIF explained
• The SIF Association
• SIF
• The strategic view
• Next steps
What is SIF?
Not a product, but a technical blueprint for education software
Designed for education technology suppliers and educators
Manages data within the education environment
Enables diverse applications to interact and share data
Systems
What is the SIF Specification?
Data standard
Document that defines accepted rules
Describes the data (what) + infrastructure (how)
Provides a complete set of rules from start to finish
Systems
Components of SIF
Network Account
14 to 19
Data Analysis
& Reporting VLM
Library
Moodle
Meals
MIS
Zone Integration Server• Software• Routing• Access Control
SIF Agents• Communicate with ZIS• Assemble and process
messages
Data Objects• Sets of information• XML
SIF Zones
Library
Meals
MIS
Network Account
VLM
MIS
School Zone
LA Zone
Logical grouping of applications, agents, and ZIS
Highly flexible and scalable
No predefined size or structure… specific to your implementation
Event Messages
Network Account
14 to 19
Data Analysis
& Reporting VLM
Library
Moodle
Meals
MIS
Types:AddChangeDelete
ZIS broadcasts to subscribers
Real time communication
Request and Response Messages
Network Account
Data Analysis
& Reporting
Library
MIS
Moodle
Meals
Initial loading
Synchronization
VLM
14 to 19
We have been actively engaged in finding open approaches to enable the easy flow of data between multiple information services, systems and products regardless of who produces or supplies them. A high degree of compatibility - interoperability in the jargon - is the foundation for effective, efficient and economic information management. It means - subject always to the primacy of information security considerations - better collaboration between partners, more agile applications, getting better returns on software investments and, most importantly, better meeting the needs of users whether they be teachers, learners, decision makers or others through, for example, joining up learning platform and management information system functions.
Becta, the lead national partner for educational technology, has identified and researched the Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF). Becta is clear that SIF has proven potential to deliver a wide range of benefits at the front line and at local and national levels, and now recommends SIF as a preferred solution. Proof of concept projects and other development work continues. But the expectation is that the SIF standard will be adopted by local authorities and system suppliers to meet specific local business needs over the next 18 months or so. These activities will mainly focus on front-line service delivery.
The current view of SIF is both optimistic and positive. At this stage we believe that SIF has much potential as a universal national standard - "schools" in the title refers to SIF's origins not its limitations. For obvious reasons we need to be sure before such adoption. So we will continue to consult and work with partners; including engaging the system-wide Information Standards Board and its Technical Support Service and assessing the impact on business processes. We are unlikely to make critical decisions before 2010 but it is our presumption that, providing it does not cut across other objectives, the sector will use this platform to work towards a national deployment of SIF.
To summarise, we see SIF as being the direction of travel unless any as yet unforeseen and insurmountable barriers come to light.
Statement of intent
Further work and drivers
• Birmingham National Pathfinder• LGfL pilot• Norfolk pilot• EMBC PoC• SWGfL – Merlin• Data protection and security issues
• 14-19• Awarding bodies – JCQ• QCA - Diploma Aggregation Service• MIAP
• Quarterly Meeting: 3-4 December (Manchester Airport)
For more information:
• SIF Project Team–John Chapman - Senior Architect: Information Management,
Becta–[email protected]
–Penny Murray – Project Adviser, Information Management–[email protected]
• SIF Association UK website–www.sifinfo.org.uk
• For further information on SIF Association UK, please email:–[email protected]