ITAM: Implementing the DNER Technical Architecture at MIMAS

The objective of the project was to implement and evaluate the evolving JISC Information Environment (previously DNER) technical architecture at MIMAS, using the heterogeneous range of JISC-supported services at MIMAS to prove many aspects of the architecture. The project aimed to increase the visibility and accessibility of 'appropriate' resources, principally focusing on machine-to-machine interchange. The project had six strands:

• Enhance the MIMAS Metadatabase. The MIMAS metadata descriptions and the Metadatabase application have been extended. A web form editor has been developed for creation and updating of MIMAS metadata records. The metadata hierarchy web page is automatically updated when the metadatabase is updated. Accesses to the metadatabase are logged and monthly statistics generated. Provision of an alternative visual representation of the data has been explored.
  
  
• MIMAS Collection Description. Sharable collection level descriptions for MIMAS resources have been created and made available by an application similar to the Metadatabase. This work has been taken forward into the development of the JISC Information Environment Service Registry.
  
  
• Metadata for OAI Harvesting. Metadata records in the Metadatabase are exposed for harvesting via Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH).
  
  
• OpenURL support. OpenURLs have been implemented for zetoc, and are available in other MIMAS resources. This thread of work has also included involvement in the development of the NISO standard OpenURL, Z39.88-2004.
  
  
• SFX trial. An SFX server has been trialled in a service environment.
  
  
• Evaluation: The Impact of OpenURLs on End Users. Results of the SFX trial work have been independently evaluated by Ken Eason (The Bayswater Institute) and Susan Harker (Loughborough University). [The evaluation report is also available in PDF format for printing.]
  
  

Further project information:

• Summary of the project results
• Dissemination and Project Reports

The ITAM project was funded by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) for the UK Higher and Further Education Councils as part of the JISC Services 5/99 DNER Programme.

9 February 2004, epub@manchester.ac.uk