SOCoP Workshop November 12, 2009

Roundtable Summary for:

Value Proposition and Reference Model

Topic Facilitators: Kevin Backe and John Moeller

Issues:

The development of semantic and ontological capabilities has been progressing to where many can see their applicability in many information and technology domains including geospatial. However, particularly in the geospatial arena, a clear value proposition or case has not yet been made in sufficient clarity to spur the investment in application and use in ongoing activities.

The SOCoP has identified a need to participate in the development of a reference model for spatial and ontological capabilities that identifies their role and function within geospatial architectures and infrastructures. Preliminary work has been done on a reference model and several of the presenters discussed elements of a reference model or offered excellent examples during the morning session of the workshop. This Roundtable Discussion was intended to serve as an opportunity for participants to discuss these topics; identify key considerations about the topic; suggest whether any further work by SOCoP on this topic would be worthwhile and if so what actions should be pursued

Key Discussion Points/Comments:

The discussion centered on the development of a use case that would clearly illustrate the value of ontologies and semantics in a real issue being addressed by the geospatial community. Comments included:

There is a lot of effort going into development of data models. These new data models will exist with older models that will not be abandoned quickly by current users. Additionally the new models will not be completely consistent with each other. There still is no agreed to definition for ontology. This still impedes progress. A structured analysis and interoperability experiment with a defined use case could be conducted to show the value. An interoperability experiment by SOCoP and OGC using the OGC process could be a good way to go.

Several topics were offered as potential cases: - Legacy data migration - Warfighter symbology - Country Codes

After much discussion, the Roundtable participants agreed that Country Codes offered the best opportunity. Several reason under lie this agreement:

- There is a need to address a real problem of different country code being used in US Agencies as well as internationally due to new ISO Standards and the expiration of the US FIPS standard. - Work groups are now seeking was of implementing regional codes and of cross walking between old codes and new. - Ontologies and semantics can be an effective part of the solution and can be incorporated into current geospatial services for discovery, query, display and publishing.

Conclusions:

The Roundtable Participants recommend that:

The SOCoP and OGC conduct an interoperability experiment to address the challenges of linking between old and new standards for country codes, of creating and using national extensions for the new standards, of linking between existing code schemas and of using country codes, their extensions and their schemas effectively to meet a variety geographic delineation requirements. The interoperability experiment should include the use of E-Geoint and The National Map as well as other appropriate geospatial service mechanisms.

Immediate Actions

Jackie Knudson will prepare a Draft Use Case description

John Moeller will discuss with Mark Reichardt of OGC, the potential for an Interoperability Experiment.

OGC and SOCoP meet to refine the Use Case and develop plan for an experiment.