Interface JAN‒MAR 2006

INTERFACEA Microsoft Technology Journal ISSUE—I APRIL–JUNE 2006 CHAIRMAN’S C O N T E N T S MESSAGE

Dear Friends, THEME: INTEROPERABILITY Today the eyes are set on India globally as it bears the coveted tag of the ‘Emerging Superpower of tomorrow’. India already enjoys a global reputation for its IT prowess. FOCUS ...... 2 In order to set the right direction, it is the government’s charter to build a digitally Demystifying Interoperability inclusive society in partnership with the information technology players. This What is Interoperability? public private partnership will bring tremendous technological benefi ts to the Standards and their Relevance citizens of India including the underserved community. Open Source is not an Open However, the challenge is to select the right technology platforms and solutions Standard (or vice versa!) that ensure smooth delivery of citizen-centric services and operational effi ciency TECH TRENDS ...... 5 through right deployment of funds. Interoperability: What’s the Right As Microsoft is exposed to varied markets and issues across the globe, we Approach? would like to share our knowledge and experience with the Indian technology community. Keeping our users at the core of our business, we have conceived CASE STUDY ...... 8 a knowledge exchange platform through the launch of our quarterly journal- Urban Community of Leziria Microsoft Interface. This journal will focus on the burning topics in the technology do Tejo leverages Microsoft domain which will / may affect your IT infrastructure in future. Our attempt is to interoperability solutions for demystify technology through user focused in-depth articles, industry trends and modernization of the region. user case studies. The theme of our inaugural issue is interoperability. As a result of ever-evolving INTERVIEW ...... 9 IT infrastructure and increasing needs of IT users, Interoperability has been the J. Satyanarayana, Chief Executive Offi cer, NISG concern of CIO’s across the world. We have attempted to demystify the issue of Interoperability and have suggested strategies to address the challenges. FACTS AND FIGURES..... 10 We understand that the selection of technologies for pervasive government ● Indian Industry e- services will always depend on the applications. Therefore, user organizations ● Spending Trends in India in the government sector are required to deploy heterogeneous IT infrastructure, which is supposed to be interoperable while catering to the needs of a large number INFO BITS ...... 11 of citizens. ● Agreements with the Government Microsoft is working closely with the governments to help them meet their of India interoperability objectives. Microsoft’s Government Interoperability Initiative ● IT Academy launched in (GII) is a program aimed to provide governments with resources to deliver digital Rajasthan access and develop a robust interoperable infrastructure. ● Affordable Multilingual computing solution for India We trust that you will fi nd the information in this journal useful for your organization. We will constantly strive to partner with you in the best possible way ● Innovations from India in addressing your IT needs. Ravi Venkatesan Chairman, Microsoft India

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FOCUS

Today Information Systems are seen critical for business productivity and growth for government and businesses. One of the keys to success in the IT era is the seamless exchange of information across heterogeneous IT infrastructure. As systems connect to each other the issue of interoperability assumes increasing signifi cance and is a ‘top of mind’ issue for technical and business leaders and policy makers. This article will try to demystify and clear some of the gray areas around this subject.

n September 1999, NASA’s $125 operation, the other used metric units scenario of a business transferring million Mars Climate Orbiter leading to the spacecraft being 90 funds from an overseas bank crashed on the Red Planet during Kms lower than it should have been. account to their supplier in India. the penultimate phase of its The failure to reconcile errors in the Imagine that the transfer takes place mission. The cause: sending thruster transfer of information led to the loss without the appropriate conversion commands in Imperial units rather of the spacecraft . As it were, both sets between the foreign currency and than the metric commands the of numbers would have worked, but Indian Rupees. Or a landlord, Orbiter expected. While one control there was a “language” barrier between dealing with two different municipal team used English units (e.g., inches, the two teams and the spacecraft. departments, suddenly fi nding his feet and pounds) for a key spacecraft Now, imagine the hypothetical property tax rates shooting through

2 Microsoft Interface JAN‒MAR 2006 the roof because one department’s data. It spans infrastructure, such as focus instead on the far easier (and system recorded the extent of his network protocols, and system level more tangible!) issues of technical property in square meters whilst the interoperability, such as using Web interoperability. This ‘bottom-up’ other ‘sent’ the value in square feet! services. One of the means of achieving approach has serious consequences While these examples may be technical interoperability is by the for interoperability giving rise hypothetical they illustrate the use of standards or ‘standards-based’ to prescriptive guidelines and consequences of IT systems failing to protocols for example conforming ‘brittle’ systems that emphasise ‘communicate’ or ‘interoperate’ with to the TCP/IP stack protocols for technical requirements rather each other. network interoperability or using than architecture. Interoperability XML for transfer of data between becomes diffi cult to achieve or What is Interoperability? systems. breaks down for want of semantic While there could be many meanings Semantic interoperability, on and process consistency. The silos of interoperability depending the other hand, is about making sure tend to remain silos! upon various contexts, from an IT that the systems exchanging data Conversely, organisations that perspective it could be defi ned as: share the same meaning for the data choose to adopt a ‘top-down’ approach The ability of two or more systems or exchanged. Very frequently systems to interoperability concentrating components to exchange information can technically exchange data but on semantics and process defi nition and to use the information that has do not correctly interpret it in the avoid brittleness in their systems as been exchanged. 2 absence of a shared meaning for the this methodology, due to its focus on This is consistent with other data. data, its meaning and process, fosters defi nitions of interoperability such as In addition to technical and the development of architecture. This given in the US e-Government Act of semantic interoperability there are approach leads to the development 2002, amongst others, which defi nes also Organisational and Process of implementation guidelines driven it as the “ability of different operating Interoperability to be considered - by business requirements rather than and software systems, applications, the organising of business processes a set of strait jacketed rules. Also, and services to communicate and and organisational structures, these implementation guidelines exchange data in an accurate, effective, including process restructuring, are supple enough to keep pace and consistent manner.” 3 doing away with duplication, and with market evolution. Projects are In other words, interoperability the development of interoperability personifi ed by business value rather is “the ability of disparate IT ‘frameworks’ for better exchange than technical requirements; real products and services to exchange of data within and with other interoperability becomes feasible and and use data and information organisations. These also deal with silos disintegrate. (that is, to ‘talk’) in order to cultural issues, such as inter or function together in a networked intra departmental ownership of environment.” Put at its simplest, information, perceptions of loss Standards and their interoperability is about ensuring of control and power due to the Relevance systems work together. creation of shared assets. All of these As mentioned earlier, adherence to This implies at least two aspects impinge upon the achievement of standards is one way to facilitate need to be addressed by systems in interoperability. technical interoperability. However, order to be interoperable – the fi rst As systems and organisations simply adhering to standards does is the ability to exchange data, often become more complex, the relevance not guarantee interoperability as the called technical interoperability, and and importance of semantic and mere existence of a formal standard second to correctly interpret the data process interoperability increases does not automatically imply it will or semantic interoperability. sharply. Unfortunately, faced with achieve great market adoption or Technical interoperability deals the unwelcome challenge of defi ning usage. A case in point here is the with the linking up of computer semantics or processes most widespread adoption of the TCP/IP systems for transporting, exchanging, organisations avoid or postpone networking stack. This has become collecting, processing, and presenting dealing with them choosing to the de facto standard for the Internet

1 Mars Climate Orbiter Team Finds Likely Cause of Loss; http://marsweb.jpl.nasa.gov/msp98/news/mco990930.html accessed 15 Mar 2006 2 IEEE Standard Computer Dictionary: A Compilation of IEEE Standard Computer Glossaries. New York, NY: 1990 3 www.cio.gov/archive/e_gov_act_2002.pdf; accessed 15 Mar 2006

3 Microsoft Interface JAN‒MAR 2006 rather than the ISO developed platforms. Microsoft’s publication modifi cations made to it. At the very Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) of the XML Reference Schema for least, the freedom to modify code, networking model which many Microsoft Offi ce and the recent and the lack of market incentives to expected would become the dominant submission of Microsoft Offi ce maintain backward compatibility and standard across governments and Open XML Formats to ECMA for fi delity encourages the creation of industry. Adopting a standard that standardisation are examples 5. many permutations of the same type no one, or very few use is unlikely to of software application, which can endow interoperability! Open Source is not an add a signifi cant implementation and A specifi cation is unlikely to Open Standard (or vice testing overhead to interoperability achieve broad market support and versa!) efforts. adoption if it is not good enough People often use the phrases “Open or does not fulfi l the requirements. Standard” and “Open Source” Towards Interoperability The fact that it was developed by synonymously. While this is a The proliferation of standards that a Standards Organisation (de jure widely held misconception; they are exist today can confuse and actually standard) is moot. Experience not the same! Open Source software hinder interoperability. A good confi rms that other standardisation (OSS) is an implementation; a strategy to achieve interoperability methods are equally relevant and can type of software described by its is to applying widely accepted help achieve technical compatibility. development and licensing model.6 industry standards and open For instance, the emergence of a An Open Standard, on the other standards based on pervasively widely used software specifi cation hand, is a technical specification, used technologies. TCP/IP and or product (a de facto standard!) can a set of technical instructions and HTML, for example, are among the often induce widespread compatibility procedures to ensure that a product most common open standards that more effectively than formal de meets its purpose and consistently allow users to use the Internet for jure standards. Examples of such performs to its intended use 7. information exchange irrespective successful de facto standards include The open-standards process is of the source and destination PDF as well as XML standards. neutral with regard to software platforms. On the other hand, When most users deploy products development models, and so it although PDF, based on de facto standards, is equally possible for an open formats, Java, and Win32 APIs are compatibility, and interoperability, standard to be implemented in proprietary, they have, due to their comes into play naturally. In fact, it proprietary software as it is in OSS. wide adoption become de facto is the diffusion and ubiquitous use Another fallacy is the erroneous standards widely accepted among of certain technologies that simplify equation of Open Source software mass users. the interoperability process 4. And with interoperability itself - that And fi nally, remember that companies offering such de facto is, the use of OSS will ensure interoperability is not guaranteed standards can further encourage interoperability. Quite the opposite just by adopting a standard. Building them by publishing and licensing could result depending upon the complex systems that interoperate is (often on royalty free terms!) circumstances. Because all OSS source as much about semantic and process their proprietary technologies and code may be modifi ed by anyone, interoperability as it is about technical. intellectual property (IP) to other an OSS product initially standards- —Mr.Vijay Kapur market players so that more users conformant and/or interoperable National Technology Offi cer have access to them to achieve may be rendered non-conformant Microsoft India Corporation (Pvt.) Ltd free information exchange across or incompatible due to subsequent

4 Egyedi, T.M., “Beyond Consortia, Beyond Standardisation?”, Final Report for the European Commission, Oct 2001, available at www.eu.int/comm/enterprise/standards_policy//study/consortia/fi nal_report_delft_en.pdf 5 For more information on Microsoft’s royalty free licensing of Microsoft Offi ce XML Reference Schemas and Microsoft Offi ce Open XML see http:// www.microsoft.com/offi ce/xml/default.mspx 6 The Road Map for Open ICT Ecosystems, Harvard Law School, Berkman Center for Internet & Society, http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/epolicy/ 7 http://www.thinkstandards.net/what.html

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TECH TRENDS INTEROPERABILITY: WHAT’S THE RIGHT APPROACH? Interoperability between computing components generally means “the ability to exchange information and mutually to use the information which has been exchanged.” There is a growing awareness of the importance of interoperability, enabling users to access and use a more diverse range of products and services through a greater number of systems, devices and technologies, regardless of the platforms or technologies.

A Core Model for typically includes the File system to Besides this framework, Interoperability provide access to multiple fi le systems standards also play a critical role As we think about the right through native protocols such as IPX/ in enabling interoperability. These approach, a framework architecture SPX, NCP, and NFS and the Database could be industry standards defi ned for interoperability helps to ensure to provide communication among by groups of companies cooperating that the many different levels of various databases. through consortia (such as SMTP or interoperability within an organization Application interoperability ensures HTML) and individual technologies can be tackled in a meaningful way. that new applications can interoperate that are popular enough to become Such a framework can be expressed with existing applications and data. “de facto standards”, such as IPX/ across four distinct layers: Network, It involves Presentation services to SPX or SNA. Data, Applications, and Management, provide seamless access to external and it indicates that standards span all users, Transactions for handling Interoperability Best these four layers. application transactions across Practice - Service In this framework, Network multiple systems and Components to Oriented Architectures interoperability provides the core create reusable components that could A relatively recent concept in the world foundation for interoperability among be used by different applications. of interoperability is that of the service oriented architecture (SOA). The Microsoft Interoperability Framework underlying principle behind the concept of an SOA is the idea that IT systems, software, devices and services will integrate and “talk” to each other - even if they were never specifi cally designed for each other in the fi rst place. An SOA is implemented using Web services, and applications are constructed as sets of re-useable, co-operating services with each being responsible for one or more clearly identifi ed and bounded user tasks, business processes or information services. The service end-points that are made available in an SOA use Web different systems equipping systems Management interoperability services, which in turn are exposed from multiple vendors to communicate deals with administration issues using standards such as: with each other using common of managing multiple systems and • XML: the eXtensible Markup protocols. Data Interoperability helps user accounts and includes Security, Language, which, as noted above, users and applications access structured Directory services, and Systems provides vendor-independent data and unstructured information. It Management. interoperability between systems

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• SOAP: the Simple Object Access approaches. Such legacy applications

Protocol, which provides the ServiceService can be wrapped as components syntax for accessing services and expose their functionality and • WSDL: the Web Services ServiceService Interface Interface data as Web services using XML - common security - common security Description Language, which - common representation through technical solutions such as - common representation - common meta -language effectively provides the contract - common meta -language custom-built adaptors, the use of - common error handling for Web services, setting out what - common error handling API’s (Application Programming inputs are expected and what Interfaces) and other interfaces. Business outputs will be supplied Business XML as Enabler A framework for interoperability Data Access One of the most common elements which would graduate seamlessly to the Data Access across all areas of interoperability is SOA paradigm can be expressed across the pervasiveness of the XML. XML six distinct levels as shown below. This has proved itself a powerful means closely corresponds to the four layer of providing a high degree of data model described earlier. file XML SQL interoperability between diverse The SOA model relies upon industry system systems, ensuring a strong, vendor- standards, which enable services to run Data Data neutral interoperability story and on many different platforms and ensure playing a key role in the design and that they can still interoperate and The Service Oriented Architecture delivery of Web services. communicate with each other. Services Approach can be delivered to user interfaces that Business Processes run on any platform or device capable on different platforms can talk to each Management of talking to the underlying service other directly. This is an absolutely key With the support of XML and interfaces. The only requirement of feature—enabling services built on Web services, Business Process the consuming application is its ability different platforms and technologies Management (BPM) systems are to comply with and use the standards to communicate and interoperate with transforming the way in which IT involved. each other both within departments, can implement and execute workfl ow Using this approach, a .NET Web between departments and external components. The Business Process service can be used for example by users, such as citizens, businesses and Execution Language for Web Services Windows rich client applications, intermediaries. (BPEL4WS or BPEL) is another Smartphones, a PDA or a Web browser Existing legacy applications can important standard that can help or Java application. Similarly, a J2EE Web also be brought into the SOA world in the delivery of interoperability service can be used by exactly the same (dependent on the precise system programs and is supported by clients—or, indeed, such Web services involved) through a variety of Microsoft in BizTalk Server 2004.

Level 6 • Deals with enabling operational effi ciency and environment management for the variety of systems. Management • Tools such as Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) help manage heterogeneous environments. • Need to adopt industry best practice such as the OGC ITIL (BS15000) for management of infrastructure Level 5 • Key aspect of any interoperability program and it requires methods of authorization and accounting. Security and • Standards such as Kerberos and WS-Federation enable secure interoperability across systems. • Identity Directory tools such as (AD) and AD Federation Services manage identity across systems. Level 4 • Composition and integration of lower level services into business processes takes places here. Service and • These can then be linked to processes from other units or organizations. • Process Integration Often involves a degree of orchestration. Level 3 • Web services help to improve the ability to interoperate in this layer. Service and • Web services standards in the areas of messaging, security, reliable messaging and transactions are key to Component interoperability in this layer. Level 2 • Data can be stored in a variety of places using a variety of methods. Data Access • Systems that interoperate need to share data across these boundaries. • A major advance is the use of XML - provides a standard to simplify exchange of data between systems. Level 1 • This layer deals with networking and transport protocols such as TCP/IP, DHCP and DNS. Infrastructure and • The fundamentals of the various protocols in this layer have not changed a great deal over time. • Networking However, even this layer is also subject to change - as evidenced by newer protocols, such as IPv6.

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of standard terms and descriptors .NET web service .NET web service to be used across the whole range of PDA Service Interface XML, SOAP, Application Service Interface WSDL etc services, a common and effi cient set - common security - common security - common representation - common representation of keys will enable information to - common meta -language - common meta -language - common error handling be retrieved and used by everyone XML, SOAP, - common error handling J2EE web service WSDL etc J2EE web service with the required authorization. BusinessBusiness ServiceService Interface Interface Data Access - common security Data Access - common security - common representation Java - common representation Conclusion - common meta -language - common meta -language application - common error handling - common error handling Technical interoperability is about enabling different applications BusinessBusiness XML file SQL system and systems to communicate DataData Access Access Data successfully, and to exchange Data XML, SOAP, information reliably and securely WSDL etc with each other. Interoperability .NET application XML file SQL enablers include a of open Windows system application standards and broadly licensed Data Data proprietary standards, as well as the Cross-vendor Integration via the SO ability to exploit APIs, formats and protocols of existing applications The .NET Advantage and technologies. Over the last few years, XML and With .NET providing the cornerstone, Microsoft’s interoperability strategy is largely Web services have become widely focused on eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and Web services. As .NET is a adopted and recognized as the best development platform for Windows programming, it can be used to develop method of ensuring interoperability interoperable applications, enabling organizations to port all their programs from the between systems and applications. conventional Win32 systems to .NET. This is refl ected by the extent to which products and technologies, ranging Semantic a coherent, consistent approach to from Server Interoperability—the effi cient information use and reuse. 2003 to Microsoft Offi ce 2003 and Metadata Framework For example, the metadata of a CD Visual Studio.NET, natively support Governments and Businesses require a library is information relating to the these standards and help simplify and common understanding of what is being CDs - their publishing companies, accelerate interoperability between referred to across their many functions artists, titles and so on. The thesaurus systems. and departments if they are to share ensures that the terminology used Microsoft is committed to information effi ciently both internally across an organization (between ensuring that our products and and externally. The best way of doing business units and between technologies continue to deliver this is through a common metadata Government and other organizations) practical, usable and reliable language, catalogue and thesaurus. is consistent, so that the same interoperability solutions that help Metadata is essentially “data metadata is always described using the solve real world problems: efficiently about data”; however, it underpins same terms. By building a catalogue and cost-effectively. Microsoft’s Initiatives for Interoperability

Microsoft’s commitment to interoperability is refl ected in its products. Microsoft Windows, Offi ce, SQL Server, Exchange Server, and Visual Studio are examples of products that freely talk to Microsoft’s own as well as other vendors’ products. Further, Microsoft Host Integration Server facilitates mainframe connectivity and BizTalk Server offers business integration across diverse applications. Moreover, Microsoft joins hands with other industry partners and standards organizations to help defi ne the interoperability specifi cations. The company also introduces APIs, protocols, and software development kits, and licenses its intellectual property to help others make interoperable software. To promote interoperability, Microsoft is working with a number of organizations including IETF, W3C, OASIS, IEEE, ETSI, OMA, ECMA, ISO/IEC (JTC1). Microsoft’s endeavor to provide interoperable solutions has led to a number of joint programs with its partners and rivals. They include Yahoo-Microsoft interoperability agreement for consumer instant messaging services, Nokia- music solution, Cisco-Microsoft security solutions, Sun-Microsoft interoperability agreement, palmOne-Microsoft e-mail interoperability solution, and Siebel-Microsoft program to ensure interoperability.

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CASE STUDY Interoperability with Microsoft Solutions Municipalities Centralize Server Platform, Standardize and Simplify Service Delivery for Urban Community of Leziria do Tejo.

he Urban Community of to access regional and municipal “Reform of the public administration Lezíria do Tejo (CULT), is needed throughout Portugal to gain information and services such as working in partnership with competitiveness and improve the quality building permit process, utility services Microsoft Corporation and of life. The public machine is very and payment of water bills. The portal Portuguese IT services company heavy; there is too much paperwork and enables people to view the status and Novabase, launched the Ribatejo Digital processes are too complicated. We needed track the progress of their paperwork project to automate and simplify service to create some commonality among the thus enabling greater transparency. delivery for its 11 associate 11 municipalities,” says Antonio Torres, Working to a common goal In municipalities. A central technology Executive Administrator of CULT. redesigning forms and procedures, environment based on Microsoft CULT was able to take the best were each supported by disparate Windows Server System integrated practices in each municipality back-offi ce technologies in the server software was implemented to and adopt or adapt them for all different municipalities; some used interoperate with different municipal municipalities. IBM Informix databases, while back-offi ce systems using XML-based Full Autonomy to Manage content others were based on Microsoft SQL Web services. The environment also Simplifi ed management of Web sites Server. supports a regional geographic has enabled the inclusion of new information system based on an Solution dynamic content such as news, event application from ESRI. Innovative The Ribatejo Digital Project was listings, discussion forms, and the municipal, tourism, and business launched to support modernization information and services can now be throughout the region. The project “We’ve managed to unify and simplify the provided through a regional portal as involved the development of a central forms and procedures of the 11 different well as the Web sites of the 11 technology environment based on municipalities,” says Torres. municipalities. The project is helping Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and other publication of council decisions. the municipalities deliver services more products that are part of Microsoft Added-value Geographic infor– effi ciently, and is providing a catalyst Windows Server System integrated mation The geographic information for other organizations in the region to server software to interoperate with integrated through the portal has modernize. different municipal back-offi ce multiple uses such as the data on systems using XML-based Web Situation 130,000 buildings in the region has services. The environment acts as a The Urban Community of Lezíria do been useful to the municipalities for region-wide data-interchange hub Tejo (CULT) is a regional association service delivery and decision-making through which a regional portal and of 11 Portuguese municipalities. support. the Web sites of the 11 municipalities CULT had been working to promote Environment for the future This are managed. the region’s transition into the project has laid the foundation of the Under the project, municipal information society. However, it Information society in Lezíria do Tejo services were restructured, unifi ed, and recognized a need for a broader region. The usage of open standards automated with the same simplifi ed and deeper effort, starting with the such as XML has provided a catalyst for and standardized forms for all 11 modernization of municipal services. other organizations to start the process municipalities. Microsoft Commerce A straightforward procedure of modernization that is scalable and Server 2002 supports the delivery of such as obtaining a building permit fl exible for future expansion. services by interoperating with the involved multiple visits to the local different municipal back-offi ce systems. town hall. Complicating matters was For more information on the case study please visit: http://members.microsoft. the fact that each local authority Benefi ts com/customerevidence/search/ in the region had its own internal Simplifi ed services and greater evidencedetails.aspx?evidenceid=13953 procedures. The different processes transparency It is simpler and easier &languageid=1

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INTERVIEW Mr. J. Satyanarayana, Chief Executive Offi cer, NISG How do you see the Government CIO In your view, what are the key barriers to standards, today, as a technologist or as a business interoperability in Government? architectures, change leader? Interoperability, like e-Government, has design of It is being increasingly recognized that e- more to do with managing the ‘business infrastructure, Government is more about management of government’ than technology. Hence while a de– than technology. Process Reform issues relating to data-sharing, design centralized Management, Change Management, of integrated business processes, using approach is ideal in all other areas of Procurement Management and shared IT infrastructure and setting e-Government implementation. Knowledge Management are as important up common delivery channels become How does the people movement as Technology Management in successful quite signifi cant. Most of the barriers to affect program management and e-Government implementations. Given interoperability can be traced in these implementation? What should be done this scenario, a Government CIO should issues. to minimise disruption? be a business change leader with a fair It is said that interoperability is about The answer lies in designing and knowledge of technology management. much more than just standards and implementing a long-term plan of A Government CTO, on the other hand, technology. Could you comment on Capacity Building within Government, should be a technologist with a fair this? on a large scale. Secondly, it is essential knowledge of management. Besides technology and standards, to prepare a Strategic Plan for the e- What do you think are the key challenges any approach to interoperability Government Programs at the national facing Government CIO’s today? has to consider at least three more and state levels. When we have a large Government CIOs face multiple dimensions – Interoperable processes, pool of skilled personnel, especially at challenges like (i) lack of adequate skilled obliterating organizational barriers with the top levels, guided by a strategic plan, resources for Strategic Planning, Program adequate safeguards and creating the the champion-led approach gets replaced Management and Project Development right legal framework that mandates by a system-driven approach. (ii) lack of model architectures and interoperability. How do you see the Public Private standards and (iii) near absence of In your opinion what signifi cance does Partnership (PPP) evolving in the drivers for process reform. architecture have and what role would eGovernment space? A comment frequently made about it play in eGovernment applications. Public Private Partnership models are Government is that it operates in silos, Architecture ensures that we do not beginning to make their entry and even after automation of a department make and break ‘walls and pipelines’. impact in e-Government sector as well, takes place! How do you think this can Architecture is to be designed not only especially in areas like Infrastructure and be overcome? around Technology, but 3 more areas – Integrated Delivery Channels. The future The problems relating to silo-approach Process, People and Financial Resources. of e-Government lies in this direction. can be traced to the Project Development Such a holistic architecture would ensure Finally, could you share with us your Stage, consisting of three phases success that is sustained over a long vision for a ‘connected government’ – Conceptualization, Architecture and period. Defi nition. The solution lies in adopting and how the NISG is working towards How important is IT Governance a holistic approach in these stages, that goal? in running effective and effi cient IT supported by an appropriate Governance ‘Connected Government’ should provide operations? Structure. cost-effective services to the citizens and ‘Governing e-Governance’ is perhaps the businesses, including those in remote What is the special signifi cance of most important aspect of e-Governance. rural areas, addressing their felt needs interoperability for Government? Appropriate decision-making structures, and actualizing the ‘single face of the The potential benefi ts of e-Government adequately empowered, are sine qua government’. NISG is playing a key role in relate to its ability to bring in a system non for the success of e-Government the areas of Strategic Planning, Program of service-centric and citizen-centric initiatives. It is important to ensure & Project Development and Capacity governance. Interoperability is a key that such Governance structures are Building for e-Governance. requisite for introducing concepts such designed with the right balance between as single-window services, single-sign- Knowledge and Power. A centralized Our website www.nisg.org will provide on and joined-up government. control is desirable in areas such as more details on our programs.

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Facts and Figures

INDIAN SOFTWARE INDUSTRY ON THE GROWTH PATH

The Indian software services business has progressed with a whopping 37% growth. However, the share of packaged software business is negligibly small as compared to the software services revenues. The exports growth for packaged software has come to a naught. Most Indian players need to enter the high-margin packaged software market more aggressively. .

Value in Rs Crore Domestic Exports Total 2003-04 2004-05 Growth % 2003-04 2004-05 Growth % 2003-04 2004-05 Growth % Customized Software 1,710 1,210 -29 27,755 37,122 34 29,465 38,332 30 Turnkey Projects 3,300 4,640 41 1,586 2,184 38 4,886 6,824 40 Consulting/Others 1,951 3,205 64 10,309 15,286 48 12,260 18,491 51 Total Services 6,961 9,055 30 39,650 54,592 38 46,611 63,647 37 Packaged Software 2,303 3,306 44 1,100 1,100 0 3,403 4,406 29

Source: Dataquest

Spending Trends in India Though hardware has been the dominating segment for users, most have started realizing the increasing importance of software and services . It’s believed that market verticals including BFSI, telecom, manufacturing, pharma, and automobiles have increased their focus on software and services during 2005-06.

Segmentwise Spending Projected for in 2005-06 in %

Source: DQ-IDC India Survey: Megaspenders 2005

10 Microsoft Interface JAN‒MAR 2006

Info Bits

Microsoft signs agreement on security cooperation Managing Director – Public Sector, program and e-governance with Government of India Microsoft Asia Pacifi c, and Mr. Rohit Kumar, Country Head – Public Sector, Microsoft India. Microsoft India has signed agreements with Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and National Institute for Smart Government (NISG) on security and e-governance, respectively. Microsoft launches The Security Cooperation Program (SCP) agreement signed with CERT- affordable multi In provides a structured way for governments and Microsoft to engage in cooperative security activities in the areas of computer incident response, language computing mitigation of malicious attacks, and collaborative educational activities to solution for India enhance computing safety and increase IT security awareness. – ‘Windows XP Starter Edition for Announcing the agreements, Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman, Microsoft India’ India, said, “Rapidly advancing technology creates both challenges Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. and opportunities for governments trying to ensure their computing has launched the ‘Windows XP Starter environments are secure. By working closely with governments, we are able Edition for India’ the latest version to combine expertise from public and private sectors—enabling them to of its affordable and local language better protect their systems.” operating system. The new version In another agreement aimed at accelerating the application of information provides multi language support technology in the area of e-Governance, Microsoft is supporting the Government allowing the users to seamlessly of India’s (GoI) national e-governance program by establishing an e-governance switch between English, Hindi and Investment Fund and an e-governance Innovation Centre. NISG will be Program Tamil as the computing interface. Manager for this Investment Fund and Innovation Centre. Underscoring its commitment to help India bridge the digital divide, Microsoft IT academy launched in Rajasthan Microsoft has also launched the Microsoft has launched its 8th IT Academy in Rajasthan to further take Works 8, an entry level productivity forward its efforts to partner with state governments to enhance the quality of applications suite in India. classroom education and increased usage of IT in their education curriculum,. To make these solutions far more The IT Academy situated in Jaipur will serve to be a pivotal point for imparting broadly available, Microsoft has IT training to teachers across the state. Under the MoU, over the next 5 years, Microsoft aims to accelerate IT integration in education amongst 8,000 teachers and over 400,000 students (from Class III to Class XII) across 3,000 government schools in the state. Microsoft is committed to offer a 12-day training program free of cost for participating teachers to equip them to use technology in teaching students in a classroom environment. The IT Academy was inaugurated by Smt. Vasundhara Raje, Hon’ble Chief Minister for the State of Rajasthan in the presence of Mr. Ghanshyam Tiwari, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Mr. Left to Right: Dayanidhi Maran, Minister of Information and Vasudev Devnani, Hon’ble Minister of Communications Technology with Mr. Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman, State for Education, Mr. Peter Moore, Microsoft India at the launch of ‘Windows XP Starter Edition for India’

11 Microsoft Interface JAN‒MAR 2006

Info Bits partnered with HCL and other OEM partners for retail availability. These The research prototype enables the solutions will be available in 75 cities across the country, at price points as addition of information such as the low as Rs. 399 per month. location of polling booths and other Expressing his views, Minister of Information and Communications data that empowers citizens to create Technology, Dayanidhi Maran said that an affordable PC in local languages is the and maintain maps that are uniquely key to ensuring IT access for a billion Indians. “Windows XP Starter Edition for relevant to their communities. India has been developed exclusively for India, to enable people to work on PCs in their local language. This is the fi rst time that an English and local language product has been created for a specifi c country.” Innovation from India Elaborating, Mr. Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman, Microsoft India said, - Microsoft India “Driven by our India mission of building a digitally inclusive society we Development Center continually seek to devise innovative ways for extending the reach of IT to the grass root level. Our thrust therefore is on collaborating with our (MIDC) industry partners for delivering affordable PC purchase options that help The Microsoft India Development accelerate IT uptake by the vast majority which is currently on the wrong Center at plays an important side of the digital divide.” role in contributing to innovation at Microsoft. It is fully integrated with the key product families of Microsoft and Microsoft demonstrates multilingual interactive is the second MS software development digital map center outside Redmond. During its annual research symposium, TechVista 2006, The goal of the MIDC is to develop India demonstrated the fi rst prototype of a multilingual interactive digital map cutting edge technologies from India of India. The Honorable Minister of Science and Technology of India, Kapil not only for the domestic but also for Sibal, unveiled the international market along with the research the support of Indian academia and prototype in the government. At MIDC, teams have . This end-to-end responsibility on projects is the fi rst public covering all aspects of software demonstration development - Development, Testing of an ongoing and Program Management. Microsoft Most recently, MIDC teams Research celebrated RTMS (collaborative efforts) India project of two major MS products - SQL Server that explores 2005 and Visual Studio 2005. A center innovative ways of excellence in the Storage space is also to create and being built out of MIDC. The MIDC Kapil Sibal, the Honorable Minister of Science and disseminate geo- Microsoft Business Solutions has Technology of India, unveiled the fi rst prototype of spatial data. owned and delivered a new product a Multilingual Interactive Digital Map, developed Microsoft Snap. Separately, by Microsoft Research India at techvista 2006 in collaborated with MIDC has incubated Microsoft’s efforts Bangalore the Survey of in the Radio Frequency Identifi cation India, part of the (RFID) space. Department of Science and Technology, on development of this fi rst-of-its- MIDC is now working on more kind prototype, which also includes an online map of Bangalore in several than 35 products including features Indian languages. A special feature enables users to add information relevant of the next version of Windows to their own communities tagged to specifi c locations on the map. Operating System Vista, Remote “Microsoft Research is a pioneer in the area of digital maps. Its TerraServer Routing Access Service and Services system has provided millions of users with online access to geographically for Unix. MIDC has fi led for 40 indexed map and image data since 1998,” said Rick Rashid, senior vice president patents in 2005 and is expected to fi le of Microsoft Research. an additional 70 patents in 2006.

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