Business Value of Interoperability

Interoperability between 2 or more computer systems is the ability to automatically, meaningfully and accurately interpret useful results, as defined by the end users of each system, by use of a common information exchange reference model.

Deployment of a system to reliably and efficiently share data electronically (i.e. providing interoperability) will potentially save the capital facilities industry millions of dollars a year.

In 2004, NIST reported that lack of software interoperability costs the capital facilities industry at least $15.8 billion annually and $1.6 billion/year in the process industry alone.
(See report...)

Benefits of Electronic Collaboration

• Collaborators each use their own preferred tools;
• Work processes are streamlined improving responsiveness;
• Costs and project length are reduced;
• The need for expensive and multiple custom-built interfaces is reduced;
• Data become available for use in multiple applications;
• Improved data integrity results in error reduction;
• Provides an audit trail of changes which supports legal compliance and reduces risk of litigation.

The cfiXML Schema Solution

• Provides a software independent electronic data exchange system, based on a standardized method of describing and storing data;
• Is public domain, based on W3C Schema;
• Has been developed and managed by collaborating organizations;
• Is supported by a large range of XML tools for building software;
• Is developed to automate information exchange for the design, procurement, delivery, installation, operation and maintenance of engineered equipment;
• Enables data flow to and from multiple software systems within a company or with other companies;
• Means that one interface written to the common language gives access to all compliant applications.