WAYLAND, Mass. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — October 29, 2009 — The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC®) has issued a Request for Quotes/Call for Participation (RFQ/CFP) for the OGC Web Services, Phase 7 (OWS-7) Interoperability Initiative, a testbed to advance OGC's open interoperability framework for geospatial capabilities. The RFQ/CFP is available at http://www.opengeospatial.org/standards/requests/60.

The organizations sponsoring OWS-7 seek open standards that address their interoperability requirements. The content of OWS-7 will be organized around the following threads:

1) Sensor Fusion Enablement

2) Feature and Decision Fusion

3) Aviation

Many fusion processes are deployed in closed architectures with existing single provider software and hardware solutions. The goal of the fusion threads is to move those capabilities into a distributed architecture based upon open standards including standards for notifications, security, authorization, and workflow processing.

The Aviation Thread began in OWS-6, addressing certain applications in the aviation industry. OWS-7 expands the scope to include flight planning and aviation operations more broadly.

The RFQ/CFP includes details of these threads as well as details of the bidders' conference, selection process and kickoff. Responses are due by 5:00 p.m., 1 December 2009. If your organization is interested in participating, contact David Arctur at Email Contact.

OWS testbeds are part of OGC's Interoperability Program, a global, hands-on and collaborative prototyping program designed to rapidly develop, test and deliver proven candidate specifications into OGC's Specification Program, where they are formalized for public release. In OGC's Interoperability Initiatives, international teams of technology providers work together to solve specific geoprocessing interoperability problems posed by the Initiatives’ Sponsors. OGC Interoperability Initiatives include testbeds, pilot projects, interoperability experiments and interoperability support services – all designed to encourage rapid development, testing, validation and adoption of OGC standards.

The OGC(R) is an international industry consortium of more than 380 companies, government agencies, research organizations, and universities participating in a consensus process to develop publicly available interface specifications. OpenGIS(R) 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 http://www.opengeospatial.org.

OGC
David Arctur, PhD, 512-771-1434
Director, Interoperability Programs
Email Contact