The Concept of Interoperability and Utilisation - Case Study Example

Measures of Interoperability in Specific Mapping Languages for Software Engineering Introduction Purpose ment In this modern day scenario, the use of technology in every domain has become quite extensive. However, the use of computer system in the present day scenario is incomparable with the use of other technology. Computer programs mainly work on the basis of the software programs that are inbuilt in the same. Over the years, highly complicated programs and computer systems have been replaced with the modern day upgraded versions of computer systems. However, with the up-gradation of computer system, the procedure of conducting tasks in a computer system have become more or less complex owing to which the concept of interoperability and utilisation has came into existence. This particular concept will work towards ensuring that different computer systems and business units work in alignment to attain one common goal (Microsoft Corporation, 2014). Problem Statement and Research Question This research will focus on understanding the Requirement of software language mapping Types of interoperability in software engineering Positive / negative impact of interoperability on the overall network communication speed Issues related to precision and accuracy of different application software accessing and interpolating files with different extensions Impact of hardware configuration on the measure of interoperability Security benefits of interoperability Likewise, the developed research question will be “What are the measures of interoperability in specific mapping languages for software Engineering?” Significance of the Study Interoperability mainly deals with the approach of file and data transfer amid two systems, which are further interpreted in a simplistic and understandable manner for the end users. Contextually, it will be crucial to ascertain the effectiveness of interoperability within business networks and the probable benefits as well as the factors of risks it can have for companies in their operational activities. In this regard, the study intends to depict the possible outcome of economic and financial results at the time of lower interoperability within information systems. The result of the study can further act as significant in gaining an appropriate and extensive information regarding interoperability in the present day context. Discussion Review of Literature The research conducted by Kajan (2011) suggests that interoperability is a particular concept that allows exchange of data between two information systems mostly in the interpreted form, which further eliminates the need for a separate technology to interpret the shared data (Kajan, 2011). Again, as per the viewpoint of Gordon (2002), interoperability mainly acts as the foundation for data exchange in a particular domain. Sharing of data amid two systems as per the concept of interoperability is uniform in nature where the information is exchanged in an unaltered manner. This further reduces the level of complexity of data exchange amid two information systems (Gordon, 2002). During data transfer as per the concept, there is a need for language mapping amid the information systems (Government of Canada, n.d.). As per the article published by the Government of Canada (n.d.), character encoding is among the vital part of information transfer as per interoperability. Character is one form of language mapping used to determine the characters a particular document will show when it is being transferred from one information system to the other (Government of Canada, n.d.). Again, according to the article of AHIMA (2005), mapping is done mainly with the intention of translating the data in one common standard vocabulary that are being transferred amid information systems. This further eases the readability of the data transferred amid the systems in any field (AHIMA, 2005). Notably, there are mainly three forms of interoperability in software engineering, which includes technical interoperability, semantic interoperability and policy interoperability within software engineering (Veer & Wiles, 2008). As per the article of Veer & Wiles (2008), technical interoperability involves the exchange of data between well-adopted technologies on the basis of standard interface. This sort of interoperability is widely used in the present day context. On the other hand, semantic interoperability is a particular concept that is simplistic way of data exchange. In such approach, data are transferred from one end user to the other in an easily understandable and readable format. With such approach, a particular user will be able to ensure that the user at the other end is able to understand what the former actually intended to convey. Policy interoperability is a kind of interoperability approach in software engineering that is commonly used in the processes of business units. It involves the transmission, receipt as well as the acceptance of information amid networks, which are governed by legal frameworks (Veer & Wiles, 2008). In this context, Tordai (2008) noted that the concept of interoperability has both positive and negative impacts on the speed of any particular network in software engineering. It is believed that in the conventional scenario, interoperability enhances the speed of networking between information systems. Again, the fact that information sharing takes less time with the approach of interoperability, as it further enhances the speed of the entire information sharing process (Tordai, 2008). In a similar perspective, Rothenberg (n.d.) noted that interoperability eliminates the aspect of illusion within networks while sharing networks, which can affect the entire speed of operations positively in any domain. In short, it can be depicted that interoperability can ensure high speed system operations within software engineering. Rothenberg (n.d.) signifies that information sharing with the assistance of interoperability can affect the aspect of security and privacy of the data shared. Though the process of data sharing is quite rapid in case of interoperability and it also benefits businesses and government units, the associated threats could not be ignored at the same time (Rothenberg, n.d.).. According to the study of Ford (2008), it has been comprehended that there are certain issues related to precision and accuracy within the data transfer approach using interoperability. Notably, in most of the scenarios, information can be accurately translated from one syntax to another. However, in some situations, there are problems relevant to accuracy of the information transferred. At times, logical description of the terms mentioned in the data that are transferred could be not accurately and precisely interpreted, which further hinders understandings of the users at the receiving end of the information. In technical areas relevant to interoperability, difficulties are faced in presenting the data terms in accurate manner, which makes the entire process of data transfer complex and complicated (Ford, 2008). Proper functioning of interoperability is primarily dependent on the configuration and functionality of network applications used by business units or any specific agencies for data sharing. Configuration in interoperability differs on the basis of the type of networking used. For example, for a Layer 3 gateway of interoperability, there must be a proxy routing functionality to configure the system that can execute proper interoperability operations within the networks (Cisco, n.d.). The study conducted by Iroju & et al (2013) reveal that there are several key security benefits involved in the process of interoperability or data exchange within networks. An integrated security can be ensured while exchanging information between two different networks as per interoperability. Additionally, Iroju & et al. (2013) noted that interoperability could ensure easy but safe access to information despite of the aspect that data are not encoded. Since the data are managed and stored in a systematic manner as per interoperability, there are less chances or scenarios relevant to data lost. This again can be regarded as a security benefits associated with the concept of interoperability during data sharing. Again, the fact that data are stored in integrated from in interoperability, chances are less regarding the lost of the same (Iroju & et al., 2013). Data Analysis From the analysis of various secondary sources, certain specific set of information has been gathered relevant to the subject matter i.e. interoperability in subject engineering. It has been comprehended that interoperability is mainly a concept that is directly relevant to data sharing within networks. It is been in wide use in numerous government and private domains with utmost effective results (Kajan, 2011; Gordon 2002). It has also been comprehended that data are mainly transferred amid the networks by mapping language between the networks of the sender and the receiver, so that each of the users at both the ends can be able to comprehend the data shared. Research relevant to the topic also depicted that mapping is mainly done with the intention of developing a standard language or code that is commonly understood by both the parties involved in the process of information sharing. This aspect further ensures that there is less complexity in the entire process (AHIMA, 2005; Government of Canada, n.d.). Furthermore, in the research of Veer & Wiles (2008), it was clearly highlighted that there are primarily three forms of interoperability with each one them have its own characteristics and effectiveness. It has also been observed that all the three forms of interoperability are extensively used in the present day scenario in the domains of healthcare, business and governmental operations among others. Studies of Tordai (2008) and Rothenberg (n.d.) identified that there are both positive and negative aspects associated with the use of the interoperability in information sharing especially with regard to thereat towards privacy and security, which could not be ignored. However, the study has also revealed the fact that interoperability preserves the shared information in a systematic manner, which further assures that data are stored safely for future reference. Accomplishing Research Objective through Findings The findings acquired from the research of the secondary sources can further be used to ensure the accomplishment of this particular study relevant to the topic of interoperability. Notably, research suggested that mapping is vital in interoperability of software engineering to attain a particular standard language during data transfer from one system or network to the other. This aspect further provides a brief understanding about the requirement of software language mapping for the subject matter. Again, it has been also identified that interoperability is of three types which include technical interoperability, semantic interoperability and policy interoperability that are used extensively in the operations of healthcare, business and other domains of the society. This information acquired was also among the vital objective of the research. Additionally, the fact that interoperability has both positive and negative impact on network communication speed also determines the significance of the study. However, it was apparent that the impact of interoperability on network speed was mainly on the positive side. Furthermore, the research findings also suggested that precision and accuracy are among the two important components and features of interoperability. The shared data within two networks as per the concept of interoperability are easily and precisely understandable. Again, the effectiveness of interoperability as a concept is heavily influenced by hardware configuration of systems between which information is being shared. Hence, an extensive understanding has been gained from the study of secondary sources about the subject of interoperability. Conclusion The primary intention of this particular study was to identify and evaluate issues that arise while using interoperability as a concept of data sharing and accessing heterogeneous information files. In this regard, secondary research suggested that interoperability is one of the extensively used concepts in the domain of information systems. It assures sharing of information amid two systems on the basis of a standard mapping code or language that ensures readability and precision of the information for both the sender and the receiver of the information. Review of literatures such as Gordon (2002), AHIMA (2005), Veer & Wiles (2008) and Tordai (2008) provided an in-depth understanding about interoperability as a widely used concept. The views of the authors suggested that interoperability can decrease the level of time in information exchange and it can add to the efficacy of the overall process. The studies has also depicted about the issues that exist while accessing information by the parties involved in the communication process. This has become a concern with regard to the use of interoperability to an extent. There were several limitation encountered while conducting this research study which mainly includes lack of data regarding the subject matter. Contextually, in future research focus should be towards gaining practical knowledge relevant to the use of interoperability in information system. Furthermore, wider study is also possible in future studies regarding this particular subject area. . References AHIMA. (2005). Towards data interoperability: practical issues in terminology implementation and mapping. Retrieved from http://library.ahima.org/xpedio/groups/public/documents/ahima/bok1_028677.hcsp?dDocName=bok1_028677 Cisco. (n.d.). Configuring the interoperability of modules for unicast routing. Retrieved from http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/sw/6_x/nx-os/unicast/configuration/guide/l3_cli_nxos/interop.html Ford, T. C. (2008). Interoperability measurement. USA: ProQuest. Gordon, A. (2002). The .NET and COM interoperability handbook. UK: Prentice Hall Professional. Government of Canada. (n.d.). Standard on web interoperability. Retrieved from http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=25875§ion=text Iroju, O., Soriyan, A., Gambo, I., & Olaleke, J. (2013). Interoperability in healthcare: benefits, challenges and resolutions. International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies, 3(1): 262-270. Kajan, E. (2011). Electronic business interoperability. USA: Idea Group Inc. Microsoft Corporation. (2014). Interoperability. Retrieved from http://www.techpolicy.com/Media/Fact-Sheets/Interoperability.aspx Rothenberg, J. ( n.d.). Interoperability as a semantic cross-cutting concern. Retrieved from http://www.panix.com/~jeffr/Prof/Pubs/Misc/rothenberg_interop_1b.pdf Tordai, L. (2008). Impact of interoperability on the global railway network. Retrieved from http://www.uic.org/cdrom/2008/11_wcrr2008/pdf/PN.1.1.pdf Veer, H. V. D., & Wiles, A. (2008). ETSI white paper no. 3 achieving technical interoperability - the ETSI approach. Retrieved from http://www.etsi.org/WebSite/document/whitepapers/IOP%20whitepaper%20Edition%203%20final.pdf Read More