Joint Workshop for the Use of Models that Define the Data and Processes for Information Systems

Olaf Ostensen Abstract

  • To : Jim Nell, NIST, Convener >li>Phone: +1 301 975 5748
  • Fax: +1 301 258 9749
  • Email: nell@nist.gov
  • To : Jim Fulton, The Boeing Company, Arrangements Chair
  • Phone: +1 206 865-3151
  • Fax: +1 206 865-6903
  • Email: jfulton@atc.boeing.com

    • Dear Jim Nell and Jim Fulton,

    I am the Chairman of ISO/TC 211 Geographic information/Geomatics, and address you as respectively convener and arrangements chair of the above mentioned workshop.

    Unfortunately, I - and the TC 211 secretariat - have only been made aware of the workshop the last couple of weeks. The secretary, Bjoernhild Saeteroy of Norwegian Technology Standards Institution (NTS), has tried to investigate what has happened : From JTC 1 documents it seems that the call should have been sent by fax to Knut Lindelien, also of NTS, in the end of February. Knut Lindelien has, however, never received the fax. This could be due to the fact that NTS in that period changed switchboard and telephone and telefax numbers. We are grateful that Bernd Wenzel of ISO/TC 184/SC 4/WG 10 and Francois Salge of CEN/TC 287 made us aware of the event (by e-mails sent to me just before Easter, but not 'processed' until after Easter because of holidays).

    BACKGROUND

    ISO/TC 211 was established in April 1994, and had its inaugural meeting in November the same year.

    The scope is as follows :"Standardization in the field of digital geographic information. This work aims to establish a structured set of standards for information concerning objects or phenomena that are directly or indirectly associated with a location relative to the Earth.

    These standards may specify, for geographic information, methods, tools and services for data management (including definition and description), acquiring, processing, analyzing, accessing, presenting and transferring such data in digital / electronic form between different users, systems and locations.

    The work shall link to appropriate standards for information technology and data where possible, and provide a framework for the development of sector-specific applications using geographic data. "

    The work programme consists of 20 items, which have all been started and are supposed to reach FDIS within 1998-09 (9 of them) and 1999-03 (the rest).

    We have presently 24 P-members from all continents and 13 O-members.

    We have 5 working groups:

    Of great importance is our liaisons with the following standardization bodies (both formal and de facto or industrial standardization bodies) :

    For further information on ISO/TC 211, I would also like to lead your attention to our Web pages at the following address : http://www.statkart.no/isotc211/

    ISO/TC 211 INTERESTS IN THE WORKSHOP
    Despite this late notification (which by no means is intended - as already explained), I will strongly assure you that ISO/TC 211 is very interested in the workshop and supports it fully! As you already have seen, several of our work items are directly concerned with the topic of the workshop, and most of the others are also indirectly related. For instance, of direct relevance :

    I am not exaggerating when I claim that a very substantial amount of the time standardization work in geographic information, both within ISO and within Europe (CEN), has been invested in discussing exactly what is described to be the problems to be addressed in the workshop.

    I can also assure that ISO/TC 211 share with you the aim of achieving what is described as the objectives of the workshop (ref. the last paragraph of the TC 211 scope for instance):

    ISO/TC 211 POSITION
    As Chairman of ISO/TC 211, I would therefore state the following, and once more I will ask you to excuse this late approach :

    1. we strongly support the workshop and would like to participate on the level of other committees and sub-committees that are invited
    2. we would like to present ISO/TC 211 at the workshop according to the described procedure
    3. we would like to propose papers and oral presentations at the workshop (see below)
    4. I can act as the ISO/TC 211 point of contact for evaluating abstracts etc., my full address information is given below

    PAPERS AND ORAL PRESENTATIONS
    Due to the short time of preparation, I can only give a brief outline of abstracts that we would like to present. I have to come back to names of experts later - for the time being my name can be used. You will both receive the abstract(s) within the next two days. Our contribution will deal with framework (reference model, architecture), requirements for conceptual modelling in geographic information, service interface descriptions, query, retrieval and update questions etc. etc.

    FINAL REMARKS
    I send this both by e-mail and fax, and would be grateful if you would take the trouble of giving me a short reception acknowledgement (because of the lack of previous contact and the time limits given). I would also be grateful to provide more information or answering any questions you may have - please let me know!

    Yours sincerely,

    Olaf Ostensen

    Olaf Østensen
  • Statens kartverk
  • Norwegian Mapping Authority
  • Telephone : +47 32 11 81 00
  • direct : +47 32 11 83 96
  • Telefax : +47 32 11 81 01
  • e-mail : olaf.ostensen@it.statkart.no
  • Web address : http://www.statkart.no/isotc211/

    ISO/TC 211 secretariat :

  • Norsk Teknologistandardisering Secretary : Bjørnhild Sæterøy
  • Norwegian Technology,
  • Standards Institution
  • Oscars gate 20
  • P.O.Box 7072
  • N-0306 Oslo Norway
  • Telephone : +47 22 59 67 00
  • direct +47 22 59 67 16
  • Telefax : +47 22 59 67 33
  • e-mail: nts-it@tbl-nts.msmail.telemax.no
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    Updated 30 September 1996.
    Assembled by: Jim Nell NIST