Aviation and Open Standards
The EUROCONTROL eAIP project makes extensive use of Open Standards (e.g.: XML, XSLT, SVG) and is compatible with many Open Source Software programs (e.g.: Xerces, Xalan, Saxon, FOP). So are other EUROCONTROL projects such as AIXM, a data exchange format in XML, and the EAD, with a communication protocol based on XML and PKI, and a reference client platform (ENA) running on the GNU/Linux operating system.
In fact, the whole aviation sector can gain from using Open Source Software and Open Standards:
- Reliability and Safety
- Open Source Software and Open Standards generally mean higher reliability, as more people are involved in software development, source code review and usage. Simply speaking, a more widespread usage tend to reveal more bugs. Because the source code is available, any user has the right to correct bugs and to assess the operational safety of software.
- Interoperability
- Open Source Software and Open Standards genuinely allow easy interconnection of information systems, because access to source code and to standards definition is free of charge. Also, users can re-use and adapt existing open source implementations in other systems.
- Independence
- Open Source Software and Open Standards free users from proprietary providers. Since other providers have access to the same knowledge and technology, users can compare them on the quality of their service and on their fees.
- Lower Costs
- Open Source Software and Open Standards mean lower TCO (Total Cost of Ownership), because there are no licensing fees and users are not tied to monopolistic vendors.
What's in it for AIS?
To the AIS world, reliability and safety of information systems are obviously paramount. Interoperability is vital as well because one goal of an AIS office is to disseminate aeronautical data. When information systems of data producers and consumers are interoperable, data flows in the most accurate and efficient way possible.
Finally, independence from providers enables AIS organisations to select smaller, local companies for maintenance of their systems, instead of having to rely on large international providers. Local companies often provide service that is less expensive and closer to their clients.
In this respect, Synclude's developer support and competence transfer services will prove very useful to such local companies: they can offer local maintenance services, while being able to rely on Synclude's support for exceptional issues when needed.
Open Source and COTS Software
In the aviation sector, many organisations recommend the use of COTS software whenever possible, as opposed to custom-made software. The goals are to reduce costs and harmonise the software library. With the general availability of Open Source Software and because it is provided free of charge, one would naturally wonder: "Is Open Source Software equivallent to COTS software?"
While we believe that Open Source Software is better than COTS sotware, we also claim that it can be considered as COTS software. First of all, it is usually packaged and available "off the shelf" (or "off the Internet"). Also, despite not being commercial (since they are free), many Open Source packages are in fact edited by commercial companies. Finally, and in all cases, there exist many commercial companies which can offer various services on Open Source Software. Synclude is one such company.
In conclusion, we believe that Open Source Software can be considered as COTS software as long as the user has access to professional support for installing, configuring and maintaining them. That support comes from internal staff or external companies such as Synclude.
For more information about Open Source Software and Open Standards, please visit our Open Standards page. Synclude offers services specific to the eAIP, including free tools.