VA adopting APP standards: four selections promote interoperability - Department of Veteran's Affairs - Application Portability Profile

Software Magazine, August, 1991 by Jerry Cashin

As the various elements of the APP unfold and mature, its implementation within the federal establishment varies according to particular needs associated with each agency. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), for example, has decided to incorporate the following components:

* Gosip, Fips 146

* SQL, Fips 127

* Posix, Fips 151

* Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Ansi X12

The last item, EDI, was not part of the APP at the time of its selection.

The initial VA decision on APP is an outgrowth of a 1988 Statement of Direction ealing with standards and interoperability. Its primary goal was "to promote effective interoperability and integration of VA information systems through the use of federal, national and international standards."

Rationale for the four selected standards were varied. First, it was decided to restrict VA focus to only a handful of APP components. In addition, each standard had to be relevant to technological solutions already operational. Further, each chosen entity represented a leading standard in a key aspect of computing and telecommunications. Finally, the four initial standards had to be broad enough to encourage the use of related standards.

"With several types of systems present within the VA, and the fact that it was mandated, made Gosip an immediate choice," explained Walter Houser, policy officer with the Office of Information Resources Management Policy. "SQL enables us to standardize access to a wide range of database products. EDI was adopted since it was already part of our environment. Posix was the most daring selection because it was the least familiar. We had very few Unix-type installations, but we knew interoperability would be difficult if [we did not standardize] on the operating system interface."

Gosip 1, which became mandatory in federal procurements in August 1990 (when appropriate to system needs), contained two application layer protocols: File Transfer, Access and Management (Ftam) and Message Handling System (MHS). Version 2 of Gosip has added the following capabilities:

* Virtual Terminal (VT)

* Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)

* Office Document Architecture (ODA)

* End System to Intermediate System protocols

Only those elements required by the user would actually be implemented.

It is expected that Gosip, Version 3, will adopt technologies such as Fiber Distributed Data Interface, directory services and perhaps EDI. MHS, Ftam and VT extensions will also be incorporated. Longer-term additions may include transaction processing, network management and remote access to data.

"Implementing changes of this magnitude required considerable preparation," declared Houser. "Up to one year's worth of meetings and planning preceded the effort. It is necessary to establish a forum for education and information exchange. Training, of course, is extremely important, both for the short and long term."

To provide a harmonious hardware environment for the standards, the VA initiated Project NOAVA (Nationwide Office Automation for Veterans Affairs). NOAVA system capabilities offer platforms for implementing Gosip, SQL and Posix. EDI is an application profile also functioning in this environment.

NOAVA systems and associated software will eventually aid in supporting the VA's 240,000 employees at 172 medical centers, over 230 outpatient clinics and 58 regional offices. The value of the acquisition contract has been estimated in excess of $250 million over the total system life cycle.

The VA's utilization of APP services will also grow over the years. "Some likely candidates are IRDS and data interchange capabilities such as ODA," said Houser.

Each federal agency working with the APP model will similarly implement those elements attuned to the needs of the organization. Few, if any, will utilize the complete profile in view of the difficultly of training personnel in new procedures. Over time, however, the ultimate goal of a standardized environment will be achieved throughout most departments within the federal establishment.