Next Steps for STEP - Oslo meeting charts the way forward

Modularisation. Using pre-defined modules to develop Application Protocols is attractive - it should simplify and speed up the process and improve consistency - but there are problems. As one member puts it: "it is unlikely that modules can be carved out of existing APs in their current state and re-assembled Lego-fashion to make another AP!"

Data Architecture. Here the aim is to define a generic architecture for industrial data. This will not replace STEP but will offer a universal integration platform for data integration and sharing with a migration path for existing SC4 standards. Both these issues are the subject of Preliminary Work Items. At the end of August, some 14 members of WG10 from Europe, the USA and Japan met at Det Norske Veritas's offices in Oslo to review and update these programmes. Their agenda for the 5 days included:

• process & shipbuilding industrial perspectives on STEP modularisation
• the proposed technical approach to modularisation and issues raised
• business and EXPRESS 2 requirements in relation to proposed data architecture
• mapping between sub-mitted and integration models

There was general agreement that a proof-of-concept demonstration was needed before modularisation could move forward from being just a "Good Idea". The discussions on data architecture saw progress being made on a number of detailed technical issues. Overall, this meeting proved to be an important milestone on the road towards the goal of a standard that is both universal and usable.
Website: http://www.pdtsolutions.co.uk/standard/wg10/