Interoperability Newsfeed

Mapping Cloud Interoperability in the Globalized Economy: Theory and Observation from Practice

rtabasky — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:18:42 -0500

The three studies address this set of questions from different angles, acknowledging the multi-faceted character of the concept of interoperability (Gasser & Palfrey, Basic Books 2012). Two of them “Fostering innovation and trade in the global information society: The different facets and roles of interoperability”, and “Mapping Cloud Interoperability in the Globalized Economy: Theory and Observations from Practice” – focus specifically on cloud computing, an emerging technical paradigm through which to analyze the policy relevance of interoperability in a globalized economy. This example also facilitates exploration of some of the key issues and practical challenges that arise as various stakeholders engage with cloud services, infrastructure, and data across the world, as well as the implications for trade, policy, and different actors, especially, governments.  The third study, “Interoperability in Information and Information Systems in the Furtherance of Trade” is focused on the role, current debates, and associated benefits and challenges in establishing a system of interoperability for information and information systems in the service of trade in a global economy over time.

Fostering Innovation and Trade in the Global Information Society: The Different Facets and Roles of Interoperability

rtabasky — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:42:38 -0500

Interoperability in Information Systems in the Furtherance of Trade

rtabasky — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:36:58 -0500

Urs Gasser and John Palfrey have continued to contribute to the World Trade Institute’s NCCR Trade Policy project with a particular focus on the interoperability as an enabler of innovation and creativity in international trade. Over the course of two years, this project has developed three in-depth exploratory studies.

Each study explores the various institutions, policies and approaches that shape the interoperability landscape and investigates the effects of these factors and drivers on trade in the globalized economy.

The series examines:
(i) to what extent and how interoperability has contributed to the promotion of international trade;
(ii) what respective roles international organizations have played in concert with other stakeholders with regard to interoperability and international trade;
(iii) what policies and approaches to supporting interoperability have been used, and with what results; and
(iv) what can be learned from these experiences with regard to emerging interoperability issues in the context of international trade.

The three studies address this set of questions from different angles, acknowledging the multi-faceted character of the concept of interoperability (Gasser & Palfrey, Basic Books 2012). Two of them “Fostering innovation and trade in the global information society: The different facets and roles of interoperability”, and “Mapping Cloud Interoperability in the Globalized Economy: Theory and Observations from Practice” – focus specifically on cloud computing, an emerging technical paradigm through which to analyze the policy relevance of interoperability in a globalized economy. This example also facilitates exploration of some of the key issues and practical challenges that arise as various stakeholders engage with cloud services, infrastructure, and data across the world, as well as the implications for trade, policy, and different actors, especially, governments.  The third study, “Interoperability in Information and Information Systems in the Furtherance of Trade” is focused on the role, current debates, and associated benefits and challenges in establishing a system of interoperability for information and information systems in the service of trade in a global economy over time.

Interoperability Case Study: Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

rtabasky — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:51:56 -0500

This case study is part of an ongoing series developed in support of a larger text on interoperability by John Palfrey and Urs Gasser Interop: The Promise and Perils of Highly Interconnected Systems (Basic Books, June 2012).

The book is an extension of their 2007 study and paper, “Breaking Down Digital Barriers: When and How ICT Interoperability Drives Innovation” (Berkman Center Research Publication, 2007). Interop: The Promise and Perils of Highly Interconnected Systems focuses on the relationship between interoperability and innovation in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) environment and beyond. Palfrey and Gasser seek to sharpen the definition of interoperability and identify its relevance for consumers, companies, governments, and the public by examining its driving forces and inhibitors, while considering how it can best be achieved, and why.

You can download this case study at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2031109

From Urs Gasser's blog post about this publication:

The forth case study in our interop series looks into Electronic Data Interchange interoperability. The case was researched with the help of our wonderful Berkman student fellow Matthew B. Becker. He submitted the following blog post as an introduction to the case:

Electronic data interchange (EDI) provides an excellent context for examining how interoperability at the technological and data level can also produce profound effects at a higher, institutional level. Originally conceived as a means for speeding up the delivery of invoices and purchase orders by sending them electronically, EDI resulted in significant shifts with regard to retailer-supplier relations that went far beyond transaction efficiency.

In tandem with the introduction of bar codes (the subject of another case study in our Interop series), which provided greater insight into sales trends, the use of EDI allowed retailers to automate their purchase orders, increasing inventory replenishment speed and redefining supply chain management; i.e., allowing the merging of Internet technology with JIT (just-in-time), a Japanese manufacturing management method that was developed in the 1970s. Retailers and suppliers who had previously guarded their sales and inventory information and made deals at arms-length, found that they had much to gain by radically integrating their operations and using EDI to share their inventory data immediately and automatically. One of the first and largest adopters of the merged EDI-JIT system were the three major U.S. automakers (GM, Ford, and Chrysler), in which they used electronic “mailboxes” to acquire information on production and non-production parts as well as to manage their order and requests electronically. Retailers such as Wal-Mart and Sears quickly followed suit, in which whenever a sale was made, that information was immediately transferred electronically so that the data could be used to update inventory, calculate sales and create other statistical reports.

With the merger of EDI and JIT, purchase decisions were shifted to the suppliers themselves, who examined sales trends to provide retailers with the products they would need as soon as required, and not before. Not only was this approach more responsive to customer demand, it also reduced expensive inventory back stock and remaindering costs. Through a similar integration with shippers, warehousing costs were slashed as products were shipped directly from suppliers to retailers, without need for expensive storage.

Over the past decade, EDI has been undergoing a significant shift, as some businesses and organizations (e.g. Lufhansa AirPlus) have started employing XML-based EDI (XML/EDI), with the promise of even greater flexibility and interoperability. However, adoption has been limited, and many of those who are using XML/EDI have implemented it in a less-than-fully interoperable manner. Additionally, support from major software companies, which appeared strong around the turn of the 21^st century, has largely dissipated. As such, although the implementation of traditional EDI provides a good example of how private actors and third-party organizations can establish viable interoperable technology, the stalling of XML/EDI demonstrates that this approach is not always successful.

Because the route to an established interoperable standard involves many nuances and complexities, one might argue that there may be a role for government when private actors appear unable to succeed on their own. However, this study, authored by Matthew Becker, concludes by noting that if this is indeed the case, the best approach may actually be a very light one, in which government involvement is limited to setting a general objective and a timeline, leaving the innovation and implementation to the private sector.

Interoperability Case Study: Cloud Computing

rtabasky — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 16:33:25 -0400

You can download this case study at SSRN.

From Urs Gasser's blog post about this publication:

In recent years, the growth of cloud computing has enabled users to utilize storage or processing power from geographically distant locations over the Internet. Cloud technologies have been lauded as a means for enhancing productivity, efficiency, and innovation by allowing on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable networks, servers, applications, and services. According to a recent IBM study, the number of businesses adopting cloud computing to revamp existing business models will more than double by 2015, as business leaders are starting to view the cloud not just as a way to cut costs but also as a means for fundamental business innovation.

Due to the growing ubiquity of cloud computing in the digital world, examining issues of cloud interoperability offers profound insights about the legal, public policy, and technological challenges faced by businesses and other institutions engaged in this field. Berkman student fellow Matthew Becker’s recent case study on the topic, developed as part of our ongoing series on interoperability, suggests that greater scientific and technological reform, balanced with salient consideration of legal and social factors (such as user behavior and expectations), is required for successful interoperability in cloud computing.

Financial considerations can often drive small businesses “to the cloud.” Specifically, many businesses with underutilized IT departments have found cloud computing to be highly cost-effective. Simultaneously, on the end-user side, consumers have benefited from and enjoyed free or low-cost software from the cloud, which is becoming available on an increasing number of portable devices.

As explored in the case study and our book Interop, there are two integral dimensions to cloud computing interoperability: the vertical dimension and the horizontal dimension.

The vertical dimension involves interoperability of software, applications, and data within a single cloud. In other words, from the consumer’s perspective, does the cloud-based software work or can the cloud-based data be accessed on most Internet-enabled devices? Can this software or data integrate other applications or additional data that the user’s devices can access?
The horizontal dimension of cloud computing interoperability involves the concept of interoperability between clouds. In other words, how easily can a business that has cloud-hosted software or data transfer to an alternative cloud provider? Among other considerations, consistencies in cloud computing contracts, security features, privacy shields, authentication management, are vital when discussing this horizontal dimension of cloud computing interoperability. One of the primary foreseeable difficulties with cloud computing in the modern era is the possibility of a firm or individual becoming “locked-in” to the use of the cloud provider or platform with which they started.

Berkman Buzz: July 20, 2012

rtabasky — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 16:29:02 -0400

The Berkman Buzz is selected weekly from the posts of Berkman Center people and projects.

To subscribe, click here.

We are delighted to announce a Call for Papers for The Kinder & Braver World Project: Research Series (danah boyd and John Palfrey, editors) presented by the Berkman Center and the Born This Way Foundation, and supported by the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The deadline is July 25.

The Berkman Center is hiring! We are now accepting applications for a number of technically-inclined leadership positions.

Urs Gasser and Matthew Becker explore the interoperability of bar codes

The second case studies in our interop series looks into Bar Code interoperability, a great case that highlights the aspects inter-industry cooperation as well as collective action problems. The case was researched by incoming Berkman student fellow Matthew B. Becker. He submitted the following blog post as an introduction to the case:

When approaching the subject of interoperability, bar codes were an immediate interest of mine. Practically ubiquitous today, bar codes can be found on nearly every package, and are increasingly common in many other applications beyond retail. It is precisely this prevalence that made me wonder how such a technology came to be implemented so widely.

From Urs Gasser's blog post on Law and Information, "Interop Case Study #2: Bar Code Interoperability"
About Urs Gasser | @ugasser

Urs Gasser introduces Paul Kominers' smart grid case study in an interop series

As previously noted, “Interop” is part of a series of experiments regarding the format of a book. In the case of Interop, we publish it along with a set of case studies that have served as the raw data for the analysis and theory we present in the book version. As our early case studies on digital music, digital identity systems, and mash ups, all the materials are freely available online, via SSRN. Over the next few weeks, we will introduce some of the more recent case studies, several of them authored by wonderful research assistants on our Interop research team. Today – in time with the very high temperatures outside and the increased energy consumption – we would like to introduce the case study on the “smart grid” written by Paul Kominers. Paul submitted the following abstract to introduce the case he researched with us:”

Imagine a mountain climber without a map. Rather than going downwards to return to town as might be sensible, he wants to find the highest point in the entire mountain range. But due to a blizzard, he cannot see very far; he can only tell whether a certain direction takes him higher or lower, and he has to stop every fifty yards or so to reevaluate and pick a new direction.

From Urs Gasser's blog post, "Interop Case Study #1 Fitness Case Study and the Electric Grid"
About Urs Gasser | @ugasser

Peter Suber discusses the UK's open access efforts

There were three separate, significant announcements today from the UK. All three make major moves toward assuring open access to publicly-funded research. But they differ in important respects. We shouldn't overlook the differences or think there was just one large announcement. Here's a quick overview:

(1) The Research Councils UK (RCUK) strengthened its long-standing OA policy. My blog post includes a short list of the major points on which the new RCUK policy differs from the Finch recommendations. (2) David Willetts, the UK Science Minister, accepted the OA recommendations in the Finch report. In a comment, my blog post pulls together my previous criticisms of the Finch report. (3) The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) announced plans to mandate OA for research submitted to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) after 2014.

From Peter Suber's blog post, "Sorting out three big open-access announcements from the UK today"
About Peter Suber | About Harvard Open Access | @petersuber

Google May Have To Start Censoring Search Results In France: ...http://bit.ly/QddsgI
—Opennet (@ONInews)

Dan Gillmor contemplates Marissa Mayer's next steps at Yahoo

On paper, or maybe that should be in pixels, Marissa Mayer is a brilliant choice to run Yahoo. No one disputes her talent or drive; even if some colleagues anonymously call her personal style prickly, that would not be an issue if we were talking about a male chief executive.

No, the big question is about Yahoo itself. Has the downward trajectory of the past several years become an unrecoverable tailspin? If so, nothing she or anyone else can do will matter much in the end.

From Dan Gillmor's post, "What Marissa Mayer has to work with at Yahoo"
About Dan Gillmor

ISPs halt implementation efforts for Copyright Alert System

The nation's largest Internet service providers, in an unprecedented partnership with titans of the entertainment industry, have agreed to implement a uniform policy aimed at deterring online copyright infringement known as the Copyright Alert System. An agreement that sets forth extensive details about the program was finalized more than one year ago, but it has yet to take effect. Coverage of the scheme by Time and CNN has drawn attention back to the program in recent weeks. So, where exactly does the Copyright Alert System stand?

For those of you unfamiliar with the CAS, it is a graduated response approach to copyright enforcement created in an agreement between five major ISPs and representatives from the entertainment industry. Often referred to as the "six strikes" plan (for the number of warnings subscribers may receive), the program will result in a series of alerts that increase in seriousness if an Internet user's account is flagged by a content owner as one associated with the unauthorized sharing or downloading of copyrighted material via a peer-to-peer network.

From Natalie Nicol's post, "Coming Soon? Graduated Response Measures by Internet Service Providers"
About Natalie Nicol | @natnicol

check out this awesome @Flickr set on @TechGirls discussion w/@berkmancenter youth & media crew #GeekIsChic 1.usa.gov/NxjC9e
—Suzanne Phillion (@SuzKP)

YouTube implements a facial blurring tool to protect identity of content providers

Yesterday, YouTube announced a new tool within their upload editor that enables people to blur the faces within the video, and then publish a version with blurred faces. WITNESS has advocated for YouTube and other platforms to take this step for a number of years in blogs, public presentations, reports and private advocacy and applauds YouTube for leading the way in including this functionality.

We'll be reviewing the tool in the coming days, and explaining how to use it well to protect vulnerable people in your videos. In this post I'll discuss the human rights perspective on why tools like this are important for commercial platforms to adopt.

From Witness's post, "YouTube's New Face Blur Tool and What It Means for Activists Globally" for Global Voices
About Global Voices Online | @globalvoices
About Witness | @witness org

This Buzz was compiled by Royze Adolfo.

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Interop: The Promise and Perils of Highly Interconnected Systems (Times Higher Education)

ashar — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:38:22 -0400

The Strategic Tool Of Working With Others (Or Not) - Urs Gasser and John Palfrey in Fast Company

ashar — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 10:26:04 -0400

Interoperability Case Study: The Bar Code/UPC

rtabasky — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 10:17:37 -0400

You can download this case study at SSRN.

From Urs Gasser's blog post about this publication:

The second case studies in our interop series looks into Bar Code interoperability, a great case that highlights the aspects inter-industry cooperation as well as collective action problems. The case was researched by incoming Berkman student fellow Matthew B. Becker. He submitted the following blog post as an introduction to the case:

When approaching the subject of interoperability, bar codes were an immediate interest of mine. Practically ubiquitous today, bar codes can be found on nearly every package, and are increasingly common in many other applications beyond retail. It is precisely this prevalence that made me wonder how such a technology came to be implemented so widely.
In hindsight, the value of bar codes seems obvious, and it can be difficult to imagine that there might have been a time when their adoption was anything but certain. However, as this study demonstrates, the history was far more complex. Both retailers and manufacturers recognized that implementing bar codes could reduce costs and increase the efficiency of their operations, but only if they were adopted by the majority of manufacturers and a very large number of retailers. As such, few businesses wanted to incur the costs of implementation without assurance that there would be a return on their investment, and for a time, bar codes were thought to have failed. This issue has been called a “chicken-and-egg” adoption problem, where there is a question as to “who should go first.” Similarly, it might also be considered a collective action problem, as it demonstrates a situation where the common interests of all parties were impeded by the immediate concerns and actions of the individuals themselves.
Collective action problems appear to be quite common when exploring the subject of interoperability, which by nature requires the participation of various entities. What makes this example particularly interesting is that the collective action problem was solved without significant government intervention. Instead, the organized efforts of an inter-industry consortium of retailers and manufacturers spearheaded the effort to create and popularize bar codes, which were then furthered by adoption outside of the point-of-sale retail context (an event that was not immediately anticipated), as well as unique historical circumstances that made adoption an easier choice for most manufacturers. Finally, large retailers used their considerable weight to coerce suppliers into implementation.

There is an important connection to another of our case studies that is worth mentioning: bar code adoption was essential to the development of electronic data interchange (EDI), as it allowed computers to “recognize” items that were sold, facilitating the use of accurate and automatic sales histories and inventories. For similar reasons, the adoption of both bar codes and EDI are intrinsically tied to the subsequent rise of big-box retailers, which required efficient and (largely) automated purchasing and re-stocking. As such, bar codes provide an example of an interoperable technology that resulted not only in efficiency gains, but also helped facilitate the restructuring of an entire industry.

Interoperability Case Study: The Smart Grid

rtabasky — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 12:29:05 -0400

You can download this case study at SSRN.

From Urs Gasser's blog post about this publication:

We would like to introduce the case study on the “smart grid” written by Paul Kominers. Paul submitted the following abstract to introduce the case he researched with us:
Imagine a mountain climber without a map. Rather than going downwards to return to town as might be sensible, he wants to find the highest point in the entire mountain range. But due to a blizzard, he cannot see very far; he can only tell whether a certain direction takes him higher or lower, and he has to stop every fifty yards or so to reevaluate and pick a new direction.

We can imagine many things happening to this mountain climber. He might find a path to the very highest point on the range. But he easily might not. If he finds himself near the top of the second-highest peak, he will probably follow the path to the top of that peak. In fact, if he finds himself approaching any peak, he will probably follow the path up to the top of the peak, unless the blizzard clears and he can see that he is on a lower peak. If he can see where the higher peak is, he might go down far enough to get onto a path that takes him up the higher peak, and then go straight up. Alternately, he might be lazy. He might find himself somewhere that gives him a vantage point to see where the highest peak is, but decide that he does not want to expend the effort to go from his current vantage point to the highest peak. Good enough is good enough for him.

This is an analogy for a fitness landscape. A fitness landscape is a way of picturing an optimization problem. A problem is analogized to a set of coordinates, with each coordinates having a certain fitness value; this builds up an imaginary, n-dimensional landscape. The goal, then, is to find the fittest point on the landscape, but limited sight range and unwillingness to invest to make big changes can get the search for maximum fitness stuck on a suboptimal or local peak.

Our electrical grid is much like the mountain climber stuck on his suboptimal peak. If we had had the sight range to see the next generation of technology back when we built the grid, we would have taken a different path to build that technology in the first place. And big changes require costly investments of time, money, and political capital, all of which are scarce. Further, the path is not perfectly clear. Although we have every reason to believe that a revised electrical grid would pay off substantially, exactly what a revised grid should look like is an incredibly hard problem. This makes moving even harder.

The next generation of the grid is the Smart Grid, a grid built up of intelligent, interoperable components. The Smart Grid comes from making individual grid components more self-aware of what they are doing at every moment. They can then be joined in networks that allow them to make better decisions about how each of them uses and transmits energy.

Currently, a great deal of discussion and debate is taking place. Government regulators, members of industry, and other stakeholders are coming together to discuss what a new, interoperable grid should look like. They are working together to design a more efficient and responsive electrical grid. In essence, they are finding the path to the higher peak.