As part of this process local government XML schemas currently held on GovTalk will be migrated to e-SB’s Custodian website. The two organisations will work in partnership to ensure continuity of service for schema users and developers. ‘The e-SB is well placed to serve the needs of the local government community,’ said Mark Gladwyn, Director for Infrastructure Services at eGU. ‘We feel this is an excellent opportunity for them to take control of a key e-government resource.’
The e-SB is keen to take on this responsibility.
‘It will make sense for local authority customers to have the XML schemas in the same place as e-standards and other supporting material for local e-government,’ said Jim Haslem, Chief Executive of e-SB. ‘All existing local government XML schemas can be held on Custodian, and new ones can participate in the Certification process in due course.’
The e-SB schema service is designed to work within the guidelines that informs the GovTalk schema management process. Core and other non-local government schemas will continue to be managed by eGU.
A number of schemas are being developed by National Projects and other local government initiatives. Making these available as they are developed, before going through the Certification Service, can enable local authorities to see work in development, which will help save time and resources by not duplicating work.
Technical quality assurance, using existing QA tools on Custodian, will continue to be carried out to ensure that the GovTalk schema guidelines are followed.
In addition to the Certification Service, e-SB plans to offer a Discussion Forum for those using or involved in developing schema to be able to discuss topics across local government. It will also be an opportunity to engage the local authority community more closely in consultation and endorsement of useful schemas.
Access to Custodian is through the e-Standards Body website at www.legsb.gov.uk/custodian.
Quelle: Publictechnology, 30.03.2005
