Interoperability

South West Public Health Observatory

Interoperability

This page will be used to report progress on SWPHO interoperability with the Regional PHOs, the national PHO and other web sites.

Position as of 01 September 2003
(Based on report to PHO directors meeting 09 September 2003)

Where we are now

The SWPHO site consists largely of static HTML pages with hierarchical menu-driven navigation to specific topics and documents. An internal search engine (Google) uses our own defined subject meta tags to enable result ranking by relevance.

Challenges

	Final web architecture decisions yet to be made may indicate possible skill shortages.
	There is reluctance to compromise “usability” of present site by adoption of complex user-facing structures.

What is needed

	Further evaluation of routes to interoperability e.g. engage short-term contracted expertise or “piggyback” on appropriate sister PHO development.
	Metatagging tools
	Software and training (esp. XML), or buy in expertise.
	Exploration of routes to interoperability with SW Intelligence database

Milestones

	Completion of changes to SWPHO site for compliance with PHO-revised NHS web guidelines
	Completion of PHITS-based meta tagging of current pages
	Decision on whether to collaborate with another PHO or PHOs or to outsource some interoperability work.

Target dates

	30 November 2003 for decision on interoperability route
	31 December 2003 for completion of PHITS tagging
	Spring 2004 for full interoperability with PHO sites

Cost

Accurate costing will have to await a decision on whether to co-develop interoperability with another PHO or to undertake/commission separate SWPHO development. (Decision target date: 30/11/03). The cost of retrospective tagging of SWPHO resources including those which will form part of the SW Intelligence Database, is being estimated now. It is thought that the above costs together with those of required training, software and enhanced server-side services may well exceed the c. £30,000 earmarked for the project