Schools Interoperability Framework Launches SIF Compliance Program
The Open Group to Serve as Independent Certification Authority
|
WASHINGTON - April 25, 2003 - The Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF) today announced the launch of the SIF Compliance Program to certify software applications as conformant to the SIF Implementation Specification Version 1.1. SIF is an initiative driven by K-12 education technology providers and educators to revolutionize the management and accessibility of data within schools and school districts. SIF is not a product, but rather an industry-supported technical blueprint for K-12 software that enables diverse applications to interact and share data regardless of the platform hosting the applications.
| | |
|
The SIF Compliance Program will enable vendors who complete the program to advertise their software products as "SIF Compliant." Applicants will validate conformance by testing and verifying that their application interoperates with other SIF Compliant applications by properly transmitting and receiving the specific set of standard messages, queries and events defined by the SIF Specification, written in XML, and sent using Internet protocols.
| | |
|
SIF has contracted with The Open Group to serve as the Certification Authority for the SIF Compliance Program. The Open Group will operate the program and will validate that candidate applications meet the conformance requirements for a SIF Compliant application.
| | |
|
SIF selected The Open Group to serve as the independent Certification Authority because designing, building and operating certification programs based on consensus standards is their core competency. The Open Group's certification expertise spans test development, automated test generation technologies, formal testing for certification, test laboratory quality systems and accreditation, and development and operation of certification programs.
| | |
|
"With this program in place SIF has taken a giant leap towards the removal of unnecessary barriers to learning, growth and productivity in education," said Allen Brown, President and CEO of The Open Group. Those who prefer SIF certified products in their IT procurements will take another step towards realizing the benefits of Boundaryless Information Flow."
| | |
|
"This is a tremendous accomplishment for SIF," indicated Javier Perez- Sanchez, Senior Marketing Manager, Apple Computer Inc., SIF Board member and Compliance Working Group Co-chair, "we have been working tirelessly for a number of years to establish a program that is both comprehensive and credible. I am pleased to say that we have succeeded."
| | |
|
"This program sets the stage for SIF to become the standard in K12 education," echoed John Graff, President, Parlant Technology, Inc., SIF Board member, and Compliance Working Group Co-chair, "companies now have a common, independent system to ensure adherence to the SIF Specification, and a consistent way to provide confidence to customers."
| | |
|
The Open Group hosts a public website listing all SIF Compliant applications as well as the Conformance Statements of each qualifying product. The Compliance Program website is at http://www.opengroup.org/sif/cert.
| | |
|
To assist schools and school districts in specifying SIF Compliant applications in their purchasing processes, SIF has published a set of questions and indicators, which can be used in requests for proposal. The suggested RFP language is available at http://www.sifinfo.org/getrfp.html.
| | |
|
For more information on the Compliance Program please visit the above websites or contact Marina Azariah at mazariah@sifinfo.org.
| | |
| About the Schools Interoperability Framework | | |
|
The Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF) is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization driven by K-12 education technology providers and users to revolutionize the management and accessibility of data within schools and school districts and states. SIF will enable diverse applications to interact and share data efficiently, reliably and securely regardless of the platform hosting the applications. SIF has united over 100 education technology providers in an unprecedented effort to give teachers more time to do what they do best: teach. For further information, visit http://www.sifinfo.org.
| | |
|
The Open Group, a vendor-neutral and technology-neutral consortium, has a vision of Boundaryless Information Flow achieved through global interoperability in a secure, reliable and timely manner. The Open Group's mission is to drive the creation of Boundaryless Information Flow by working with customers to capture, understand and address current and emerging requirements, establish policies, and share best practices; working with suppliers, consortia and standards bodies to develop consensus and facilitate interoperability, to evolve and integrate specifications and open source technologies; offering a comprehensive set of services to enhance the operational efficiency of consortia; and developing and operating the industry's premier certification service and encouraging procurement of certified products. More information on our organization can be found at www.opengroup.org.
| | |
For more information, please contact:
Edustructures LLC
Sandra Richards, 1.877.790.1261 Extension 438
news@edustructures.com
|
|
|
