and applications is transforming the way many organizations

share data.

This approach improves existing methods

of data sharing by providing a service layer between systems.

Sharing data between applications

is a well-established principle that works on a simple level.

As systems expand, the solution that

connects two software applications

will often not work for a third.

What began as a workable system then

locks valuable data in a silo.

Sharing the data is still possible but requires

adaptations and tweaks.

The process is laborious and time-consuming,

leading to bottlenecks and overload.

The reality of this world is unnecessary effort expended

in duplication of data.

By applying a service layer to the applications

you wish to connect up, data is offered out

in a common format for reuse elsewhere.

The service-oriented approach works with existing software

systems and does not require you to remove

the monolithic application.

Placement applications reuse the links already

made and can plug into the service layer

without affecting other users of data.

New applications can be added to grow overall system

architectures in the same way.

The data in each application is offered up

as a service, which any other application can consume.

When the service-oriented approach

has evolved into a system-wide architecture,

it allows connections and service sharing opportunities

between organizations nationally and globally.

Take monitoring of student progress, for example.

Results are locked by a virtual learning environment,

but how much of that data is shared with the management

system that is tracking progression against funding?

If the motivation and commitment of struggling students

is not addressed, and they decide to walk away,

there is a direct impact on funding.

If the data is freed up and shared across a system using

a service-oriented approach, it could

contribute to retaining student motivation,

and thereby maximizing income.

And what if across the education community

there was one standard and agreed way

to describe a course?

It would allow course information

to be made available as a consumable service

both internally and externally.

This is the subject of a current project called

exchanging course-related information,

or XCII, encompassing course marketing, quality assurance,

enrollment, and reporting requirements.

This service-oriented approach enables

aggregated organizations like UCast to gather the standard

and agreed descriptions of courses from each provider.

Comprehensive details of approved enrollment

opportunities are then returned to a prospective student

for easy and accurate comparison.

Amongst the research community, it is the same principle.

Here, the service-oriented approach

is enabling researchers to work across institutions

in virtual organizations.

myGrid is a project that provides a shared tool

kit for creating experiments by coordinating the information

flow between distributed resources and services.

Workflows and query specifications

link together remote and local resources

using web service protocols.

Workflows created by myGrid represent

the scientific process of the experiments they enact,

making them a rich resource for scientists creating

their own new experiments.

The service lab to this data enables

users to share, reuse, and repurpose experiments

within the myGrid community.

Many education and research services

are already developing a service-oriented approach,

taking their lead from the business world

and major software developers.

It is in this context that the e-Framework,

a successful and expanding international initiative,

works to make sense of the service-oriented approach

for the education and research community.

The e-Framework website identifies and describes

the service components needed.

It provides the blueprints and reference examples

for those in the community who want to gain a greater

understanding and knowledge of how to implement

a service-oriented approach.

The e-Framework website is thus becoming a knowledge base

that is developing a shared vocabulary

and way of thinking for all in education and research.