View source for E-GIF

{{short description|Scheme for ensuring the inter-operation of computer-based systems}}
{{lowercase|title=e-GIF}}

An '''e-GIF''', or [[eGovernment]] [[Interoperability]] Framework, is a scheme for ensuring the inter-operation of computer-based systems. It is intended to resolve and prevent (or at least minimise) problems arising from incompatible content of different computer systems. An e-GIF may aim to facilitate government processes at local, national or international levels.

==International implementations==
About 30 countries and international bodies are known to have implemented some form of e-GIF,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lists.oasis-open.org/archives/tgf/201101/pdf00010.pdf |title=e-Government Interoperability A comparative analysis of 30 countries |publisher=CS Transform |year=2010 |accessdate=21 January 2016}}</ref> most, but not all, using the "e-GIF" acronym. Within the [[European Union|EU]] many of these were supported by the European Interoperability Framework (EIF) of the [[IDABC]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/idabc/en/document/2319/5644.html |title=EIF - European Interoperability Framework for pan-European eGovernment services |publisher=[[IDABC]]|date=June 2009 |accessdate=26 January 2016 }}</ref> These included [[Denmark]],<ref>{{cite book |url={{Google books|RG1rk9GoSMwC|plainurl=true}} |title=OECD e-Government Studies Denmark: Efficient e-Government for Smarter Public Service Delivery |publisher=[[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|OECD]] |date=30 January 2006 |isbn=9789264087118}}</ref> [[Greece]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.e-gif.gov.gr/portal/page/portal/egif/ |title=Greek e-Government Interoperability Framework |publisher= |accessdate=21 January 2016 |archive-date=26 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726231038/http://www.e-gif.gov.gr/portal/page/portal/egif/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> the [[United Kingdom]] and the ''Reach'' "Public Services Broker" in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]].<ref name="gov">{{cite web |url=http://interim.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/govtalk/schemasstandards/e-gif.aspx |title=e-GIF |archiveurl=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20111205171933/http://interim.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/govtalk/schemasstandards/e-gif.aspx |archivedate=5 December 2011 |accessdate=12 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reach.ie/ |title=Reach – eGovernment strategy in Ireland: connecting people and public services |date=|publisher= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050731092205/http://www.reach.ie/ |archivedate=31 July 2005}}</ref>

In Africa [[Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa|COMESA]] and [[Ghana]] provide examples of similar initiatives,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://egov.comesa.int/index.php/policies-and-standards/34-e-gif-standards |title=e-GIF Standards  |publisher=[[Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa]] |accessdate=21 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nita.gov.gh/GGEA-and-eGIF-Resources |title=GGEA and eGIF Resources |publisher=National Information Technology Agency |location=Ghana |date= |accessdate=21 January 2016}}</ref> whilst [[Bhutan]] and [[Thailand]] are examples from Asia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dit.gov.bt/sites/default/files/page/2013/09/egif_summary_21460.pdf |title=eGIF Summary - Department of Information Technology |publisher=The Department of IT & Telecom (DITT) |location=[[Bhutan]] |date=3 January 2014 |accessdate=19 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://egif.mict.go.th/ |title=Thailand e-Government Interoperability Framework |language=th |accessdate=21 January 2016}}</ref> 
[[New Zealand]] and [[Australia]], similarly, implemented their own frameworks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/cabinet/circulars/co02/12 |title=New Zealand e-Government Interoperability Framework ('the e-GIF'): Adoption by Government Agencies |publisher=[[Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (New Zealand)|DPMC]] |date=25 Sep 2002 |accessdate=19 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.finance.gov.au/policy-guides-procurement/interoperability-frameworks/information-interoperability-framework/ |title=Australian Government Information Interoperability Framework |date= |publisher= |accessdate=26 January 2016}}</ref> In the United States the [[National Information Exchange Model]] (NIEM) shared similar aims.

==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, able to accommodate and adapt.

==Key e-GIF policies==
* alignment with the Internet: the universal adoption of common specifications used on the Internet and World Wide Web for public sector information systems
* adoption of [[XML]] as the primary standard for [[data integration]] and presentation tools for government 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 [[Metadata standard]]s such as the UK [[e-GMS|e-Government Metadata Standard]] (e-GMS) based on the international [[Dublin Core]] model
* the development and maintenance of standard category lists such as the UK [[Government Category List]] (GCL) and [[IPSV]].
* adherence to a catalogue of Technical Standards such as the UK Technical Standards Catalogue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/258681/TSCv6.2_2005_7_14_final.pdf |title=Technical Standards Catalogue version 6.2 |date=September 2005 |publisher=[[Cabinet Office]] |archiveurl=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20101126011541/http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/258681/TSCv6.2_2005_7_14_final.pdf |archivedate=26 November 2010}}</ref>
* adherence to the e-GIF was mandated throughout the public sector.

==Drivers for selection of e-GIF specifications==
* 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 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.

==Establishing competence and capability in e-GIF==
In the UK, the e-GIF Accreditation Authority accredited organisations for their capability and competence in delivering e-GIF compliant solutions. There was 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 UK e-GIF Compliance Assessment Service, operated by the [[National Computing Centre|NCC]], offered a self-assessment tool for e-GIF compliance in projects and programmes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.egifcompliance.org/ |title=Home Page - e-GIF Compliance Assessment Service |publisher=[[National Computing Centre|NCC]] |date= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070114053353/http://www.egifcompliance.org/ |archivedate=14 January 2007}}</ref>

==Fate==
Within the UK, e-GIF was replaced by the "Open Source, Open Standards And Re-Use: Government Action Plan", published by the Cabinet Office in February 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://consultation.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/openstandards/background/ |title= Background |publisher=[[Cabinet Office]] |archiveurl=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140904135420/http://consultation.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/openstandards/background/ |archivedate=4 September 2014 }}</ref> This is now embodied in the Open Standards principles policy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-standards-principles/open-standards-principles |title=Open Standards Principles |publisher=[[Cabinet Office]] |date=11 September 2015 |accessdate=22 January 2016}}</ref> The UK e-GIF documentation and UK Government Data Standards Catalogue have been archived and are available for reference only. Although now deprecated by the Cabinet Office, many systems have been built around the framework and continue to use e-GIF components, notably within the [[National Health Service|NHS]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hscic-standards.citizenspace.com/data-dictionary/nhsdmds-egif |title=NHS Data Model and Dictionary Review of e-GIF definitions |publisher=[[Health and Social Care Information Centre]] |accessdate=19 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126085118/https://hscic-standards.citizenspace.com/data-dictionary/nhsdmds-egif |archive-date=26 January 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://systems.hscic.gov.uk/rasmartcards/strategy/egif |title=User registration and authentication - e-GIF level 3  |publisher=[[Health and Social Care Information Centre]] |accessdate=19 January 2016}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:E-Gif}}
[[Category:Government of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Politics and technology]]