The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) will launch an Interoperability Experiment on "geospatial linking" on January 15, 2007. The Geospatial Linking Service Interoperability Experiment will test methods for linking attribute data (typically records in a database) to those data records’ geospatial representations (typically stored as digital maps) when both data and geospatial representations are stored at separate locations on the Internet.
The experiment is expected to validate the functions of Web services specified in the "Geospatially Linked Data Access Service (GDAS)" and "Geospatial Linking Service (GLS)" OGC Discussion Papers. Experience gained in the experiment will be used to improve these specifications, which may then be submitted for further development and adoption by the OGC membership as OpenGIS Specifications.
The initiators of the Interoperability Experiment are:
– Natural Resources Canada (Geoconnections);
– Safe Software Inc.;
– Graphical Data Capture Ltd.
Other organizations are encouraged to participate in or sign on as observers for this Interoperability Experiment. Organizations that wish to participate and that can meet the Requirements for Participation must notify the OGC before January 15, 2007 of their desire to participate. Contact George Percivall at gpercivall@opengeospatial.org for further details.
OGC
The OGC is an international industry consortium of more than 335 companies, government agencies, research organizations, and universities participating in a consensus process to develop publicly available interface specifications. OpenGIS Specifications support interoperable solutions that "geo-enable" the Web, wireless and location-based services, and mainstream IT. The specifications empower technology developers to make complex spatial information and services accessible and useful with all kinds of applications.
Visit the OGC website at www.opengeospatial.org