It Takes More than a Data Portal or: Leveraging the Common Framework for Earth-Observation Data to Improve Interoperability

The words "interoperability" and "integration" have become fashionable terms in the IT world. But what really constitutes true interoperability and true integration of data? Interoperability is not a data portal that users can access to download your data. Integration is not having all of your data available through an ftp server. Having data in the cloud doesn't necessarily mean that either integration or interoperability is improved. However, the Common Framework for Earth Observation Data is an attempt to provide a roadmap that leads towards true data interoperability. NOAA is leading the way in improving data interoperability and data integration through projects such as the Unified Access Framework (UAF), the Observing System Monitoring Center (OSMC), and NOAA's Climate Observations Division (COD) and Ocean Acidification Program (OAP). These programs all encompass a vast diversity of data and data holdings. Also, aware that NOAA doesn't operate in a vacuum, there has been a strong emphasis within these programs to work with international partners in an attempt to create complementary solutions that benefit both national and international efforts. Leveraging from proven successes provides for cheaper, quicker and often more robust solutions to interoperability. In this presentation, we will discuss how, by embracing elements of the Common Framework for Earth-Observation Data, we are working to improve interoperability and integration of data from various data sources, including modeling centers, real time ocean observations, and delayed mode ocean observations. We will discuss a very successful effort within the global carbon community to shepard data from collection to discovery and access through archival, all while embracing the standards and conventions discussed in the Common Framework. We will also discuss cooperating efforts with international communities, such as the Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) Observations Coordination Group (OCG), to build an interoperability framework with the goal of integrating delayed mode data from the various discrete ocean observing networks. The goal of such integration is to allow users of the data to work within a framework of Essential Ocean Variables, rather than data on a platform by platform basis