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e-GIF is the UK eGovernment Interoperability Framework.

It is an ambitious exercise intended to resolve and prevent (or at least minimise) problems arising from incompatible content of different computer systems.

[edit] What are the aims of e-GIF?

• to enable the seamless flow of information across government/ Public Service Organisations.
• to set practical standards using stable well supported products.
• to provide support, guidance and toolkits to enable the standards to be met.
• to provide a long term strategy that is able to accommodate and adapt.

[edit] Key e-GIF policies

• alignment with the Internet: the universal adoption of common specifications used on the Internet and World Wide Web for all public sector information systems
• adoption of XML as the primary standard for data integration and presentation tools for all public sector systems
• adoption of the browser as the key interface; all public sector information systems are to be accessible through browser based technology; other interfaces are permitted but only in addition to browser based ones
• the addition of metadata to government information resources
• the development and adoption of the e-Government Metadata Standard (e-GMS) based on the international Dublin Core model
• the development and maintenance of the Government Category List (GCL).
• adherence to the e-GIF is mandated throughout the public sector.

[edit] Selection of e-GIF specifications has been driven by

• interoperability - only specifications that are relevant to systems interconnectivity, data integration, e-services access and content management are specified
• market support - the specifications selected are widely supported by the market, and are likely to reduce the cost and risk of government information systems
• scalability - specifications selected have capacity to be scaled to satisfy changed demands made on the system, such as changes in data volumes, number of transactions or number of users
• openness - the specifications are documented and available to the public at large.

The website responsible for publishing developments regarding e-GIF is:

• http://www.govtalk.gov.uk/

[edit] Establishing competence and capability in e-GIF

• The e-GIF Accreditation Authority accredits organisations for their capability and competence in delivering e-GIF compliant solutions. The Authority maintains a Register of e-GIF Accredited Organisations. There is also a programme of individual certifications at Foundation and Expert levels aimed at developing and recognising e-GIF skills and experience, referenced against an e-GIF Competency Framework.

• The e-GIF Compliance Assessment Service offers a self-assessment tool for e-GIF compliance in projects and programmes.

[edit] News sites which cover e-gif developments

• Kablenet includes e-gif developments in their coverage in their reporting on UK and other eGovernment

• Support Insight has published several articles on e-GIF and is monitoring its progress.

• The e-GIF Accreditation Authority and the e-GIF Compliance Assessment Service.