CEOS Working Group on Information Systems and Services - 1 Data Access and Integration: Global and Regional Initiatives and Client Perspectives Discussion Pre-WGISS 10 Workshop Peter Churchill

CEOS Working Group on Information Systems and Services - 2 Overall Discussion Points Mike Clarke has engineered a unique occassion for a wide range of SDI’s and CEOS WGISS to come together to discuss issues of common interest. It is clear that, indeed, the work of the SDI’s is compatible with, and relevant to WGISS o The SDI’s are addressing the a range of technical issues relevant to WGISS n how much needs to be defined o They are approaching these issues from different thematic and policy perspectives n this raises the perspective of possible collaboration n what areas could we collaborate on? n how could that collaboration be implemented?

CEOS Working Group on Information Systems and Services - 3 Characteristics Of An SDI – How Does It Relate To WGISS? The “Lauritson Question” – the “Fisher Response” – the “Churchill Questions” Characteristics of an SDI (after Fisher)Questions (Churchill et al) o Access n A series of underlying services that support – Resource DiscoveryWGISS does this? – Resource EvaluationDoes this include analysis/models? – Resource AccessDoes WGISS fully do this o Framework/Data Includes formats, inter-use? o Standards n SCOTS (Standards based COTS)Standards organisations work n Open interfaces e.g WMT Get Mapwith input from WWGISS o Policy n Enables sustainabilityShould WGISS be involved here? o Partnerships

CEOS Working Group on Information Systems and Services - 4 Further Discussion Points What messages can we take forward to CEOS WGISS? o Should we maintain close links with the various other SDI’s? n There are clear areas of common technical interest n We can all benefit from the cross-fertilisation of ideas and techniques (helps to ensure coherent developments whenever possible) n However, good intentions do not always produce results; if we do decide to maintain close links, these should be on concrete subjects with appropriate concrete mechanisms n Indeed, this is part of, and can help develop WGISS’s discussion on links to the wider GI world, to standards organisations, commercial organisations, etc o If we should maintain close links, how we will achieve this? n Cross attendance at each others meetings? n Common meetings and workshops? n Regular excahnge of technical information? o What are the subjects we should maintain links on? n Policy: data policy? Policy imperatives to have Data services / holdings? n Business Case: killer applications, involvement of users, demonstrations? n Technology: technology watch, technical devlopments, standards?

CEOS Working Group on Information Systems and Services - 5 Specific Discussion Point: Policy o Data Policy: n Workshop Conclusion: – Data policy a key to the success of a SDI, and that clear, underlying data policies need to be defined n Discussion Point: – Should WGISS start to take part in this discussion? – If yes, how could we liaise with the wider SDI world? o Policy as a Driver: n Workshop Conclusion: – Addressing sectorial (strategic) policy as a main driver for a SDI can be an important element of success; International Treaties are important drivers n Discussion Point: – Can the various SDI policy drivers contribute to on-going WGISS drivers (international science programmes)? – Can the various SDI’s directly contribute to pilot project (testbed) intiatives (global forestry, disaster management....)?

CEOS Working Group on Information Systems and Services - 6 Specific Discussion Point: Users o Involvement of Users n Workshop Conclusion: – Customers for the information to be produced should be involved at the earliest stages of the development of SDI’s n Discussion Point: – How can WGISS learn from the direct experience a number of the presented SDI’s have of the direct inolvement of users in their development (meteorological, antarctic, biodiversity, oceans, geology....)? o Demonstrations: n Workshop Conclusion: – Focussed, and limited demonstrations may be a good way forward in developing the business case for SDI’s n Discussion Point: – Can joint demonstrations be envisaged between WGISS and other SDI’s?

CEOS Working Group on Information Systems and Services - 7 Specific Discussion Point: Technology o Development: n Workshop Conclusion: – Keeping up with a very rapidly developing technology is extremely difficult – There are a lot of tools out there, which are keeping up with technology, and are freely available. Can be captured and promoted through cookbook. n Discussion Point: – Can exchange of technology developments between other SDI’s and WGISS be foreseen? – Can joint developments of required technologies be foreseen? o Standards: n Workshop Conclusion: – With the rapidly developing technology, standards are falling well behind the current status – De facto standards are emerging to keep pace with the development n Discussion Point: – Is there benefit in joint submissions to standards organisations?

CEOS Working Group on Information Systems and Services - 8 Specific Discussion Point: Technology Interoperability: n Workshop Conclusion: – Satellite data is one of many sources of spatial data in any SDI. n Discussion Point: – Are SDI’s (WDCs....) receiving full benefit from Satellite programmes? – How are we measuring the suitability of space data products for interuse with other data?