February saw the inaugural meeting of the Active Windows Integrator (AWI) User Group, where a number of Local Authorities met to discuss the possibility of sharing scripts and to create an environment where knowledge and codes of best practice could be shared among members. The aim of the user group is to closely examine the need for IT managers to rely heavily on vendor API’s and to share source code through the creation of a common library.
Chris Rymer, Business and Systems Manager, Harrogate Borough Council, remarked: “In order to implement a cost effective integration strategy, councils should include a supplier that provides an all-inclusive IT integration solution, such as the one we have purchased from ndl metascybe.
“This provides a flexible alternative, which can be utilised if the integration solutions offered by back office suppliers prove not to be cost effective or are limited in scope. The AWI solution can also be used to automate many other processes outside of the integration debate.”
“The AWI User Group is an excellent idea and I’d urge other Local Government Authorities to join. All founder members believe this will be a great success. As we have all agreed to share our scripts, we can now significantly reduce our development costs. Long-term we will all be able to benefit from the potential human resource and financial savings available through active membership”, he concluded.
Connectivity software and application integration specialist, ndl-metascybe, is to provide online hosting of the user group area, script library and online forum. Password protection will ensure user group member discussions and interactions remain private and secure. Importantly, the company will be on-hand to answer questions raised in the forum requiring more technical expertise.
A clear plan has been developed by the current members of the group, with quarterly meetings to be arranged in which pressing issues including Government Connect and the use of middleware will be discussed. The next meeting, provisionally scheduled for the week commencing 15th May 2006, will include sessions focussed on the use of middleware including BizTalk, LGOL-Net and Cape Clear.
Quelle: Publictechnology, 08.03.2006
