Interoperability & SIF: Update October 2006 Tim Riley, Birmingham Nick Barron, Becta Peter O'Hagan, Serco

What is Interoperability? Systems communicating Systems working together Data flowing freely between them

Why Interoperability? DfES and LAs and Schools will benefit by reducing their activity in the collection of data. Cut down on the time schools spend on vertical reporting. Allows horizontal reporting within schools, seamless integration for applications. Potential to improve work flows. Reduce integration burden with other agencies. (e.g. IS index) GIVE TEACHERS MORE TIME TO TEACH

What is SIF? Schools Interoperability Framework It is not: -A product -An application -A software package It is: -An international standard consisting of -A recognised regional data model -Robust and flexible transport mechanism

Why Schools Interoperability Framework? Already proven Provide an open standard for data transfer Improve standards in data authoring and quality Quality Assured Products Secure asynchronous transport protocol Stakeholder driven Governance The SIF community is an international community -we are able to draw on best practice from around the globe. -we have a valuable contribution to make.

Vertical Reporting? Horizontal Reporting?

Components Working Together Horizontal Interoperability Network Account H.R. & Finance Data Analysis & Reporting Instructional Services Library Automation Student Information Services Grade Book Food Services –Zone Integration Server (ZIS) (Located at LA) –SIF Agents –Applications –SIF Data Objects “SIF Zone”

Components Working Together Vertical Interoperability LA Government

NC District Results New learner Registering for Enrolment into: *Student Information System*Directory Service Application *ID Card System*Library Automation System *Cafeteria Management System Typical SchoolSIF School - 49 minute task- 4 minute task - 10 times data entered- 1 time data entry 45 minutes/student X 18,000 students= 6 FTE’s!

Wyoming Results on State Reporting Reallocation from State Reporting Eliminate 23 Aggregate Reports Reduce 8 hours per school per report Reduce hours per district per report = 70,000 hours school staff time = 18,000 hours district staff time = $1,760,000 est. state savings

Making it Real: the UK Proof of Concept (Birmingham) Becta DfES Capita Serco Netmedia Arete Link 2 ICT Birmingham LA Edustructures James Brindley Hospital School Ninestiles Community Technology College Kings Norton Boys’ School Longwill Primary School for Deaf Children Castle Vale School and Specialist Performing Arts College Whitehouse Common Primary School Goodway Nursery Gossey Lane JI & Nursery School English Martyrs’ Catholic Primary School Calthorpe School SSC

JulyAugSeptOctNovDecJanFebMarApr SIF 2.0 spec published SIF 2.0 spec ratification POC Data Model ratification Agent development kits available SIF 2.0 agent development Certification Processes in place 90 days Agents certified Initial end-to-end data movement trial: - Implement agent in 1 school - add Arête agent - synchronize agents - Add DfES agent - Run vertical report - Roll-out x 9 schools - End-to-end testing Data movement and process review POC closure UK / Birmingham data definition Governance ZIS set-up Final ZIS config Workflow / process baselining Plan Build Implement Review Birmingham SIF POC – indicative timetable

Recent Milestones Data model draft received 03/10/06. ZIS installed in Birmingham. Welsh Assembly and NI joined SIFA. Scotland Nov. Becta Elected to SIFA Board. Agent development underway. CP2 Connection test completed. Initial meetings with the IS index. Second POC Bids under consideration. Governance structure populated.

Promote the current and future development and utilisation of the SIF standard Represent members interests and the deliverables from the defined work groups Deliver technical recommendations to the International Sub- Committee that will inform the Board of Directors Propose and implement new Work Groups to the International Sub-Committee Actively support pilot implementations including gathering shareholder involvement and feedback DfES (Chair)Mark Phillips BectaPaul Shoesmith Welsh Assembly Emma Williams Scottish ExecutiveTBC Northern Ireland Mary Mallon BirminghamTim Riley SercoPeter O’Hagan CapitaIan O’Donoghue NetMediaSteven Threadgold ArêteTony Brown School user x 2 (one Capita school and one Serco school) Executive Director SIFA Board of Directors Tech Board Data Model Task Force Infrastructure Work Group Certification Committee Implementation Task Force Learning Applications and Learning Communities Working Groups SIF UK Board International Sub- Committee Data Standards Working Group Technical and Infrastructure Working Group Certification and Standards Working Group Implementation Working Group Business Working Group Teaching and Learning Working Group Gatekeeper for the UK data set –e.g. CBDS, CTF Develop UK version of SIF2 data model Develop change control processes in the context of areas of responsibility Develop ‘business rule’ framework to ensure data integrity and standards Develop UK specific standards framework for data exchange between supplier platforms DfES (Chair)Gwen Baulch Arête (Vice-Chair)Tony Brown Identify and address SIF UK infrastructure needs including emerging technology capabilities Provide technical information and support to stakeholders with the primary aim of providing interoperability solutions Technical Governance including responsibility for the technical aspects of SIF implementation Becta (Chair) Paul Shoesmith Develop and implement UK specific by-laws Oversee and maintain standards during certification Define and implement an arbitration and mediation process in relation to SIF compliance Welsh AssemblyEmma Williams (Chair) Capita (Vice-Chair)Ian O’Donoghue Develop UK specific implementation support materials guidance Act as a ‘centre of excellence’ for SIF UK implementations Share and evangelise good practice Birmingham (Chair)Tim Riley Becta (Vice-Chair)TBC Promote and evangelise SIF to the supplier and wider business community Develop and represent the interests of UK suppliers Provide expert advice on the commercial impacts of SIF Define and develop teaching and learning opportunities offered by SIF adoption Identify and disseminate good practice Serco (Chair) Peter O’Hagan C2K (Chair) Mary Mallon NetMediaSteven Threadgold (Vice-Chair)

Future Events Au/NZ UK US meeting October POC Birmingham project board meeting SIF UK Development Workshop Nov Delivery SIF V2.0 ADK to UK Suppliers DfES ZIS installation Darlington Oct/Nov CP3 Connection Test Nov using Birmingham ZIS Non SIFA Suppliers familiarisation Q1 2007

Questions ? Becta Senior Architect Tim Riley LINK2ICT (Birmingham) Peter O’Hagan Serco Learning Becta SIF Project Team More information?