Frequently Asked Questions

• What products can participate in DGI interoperability tests? >
• How are the tests developed? >
• What benefits will participating in this test bring to my company? >
• What is Vendor Neutrality? >
• How many vendors generally participate? >
• How can I safeguard my intellectual property?  >
• Where will the test take place? >
• What kind of staffing resources will be required? >
• What stage of software is used in the testing? >
• Can you provide additional details on how to interpret what is listed on the Drummond Certified™ interoperability certification list? >
• FOR MORE INFORMATION >

What products can participate in DGI interoperability tests?
Software companies can test and certify a complete product application. A complete product application is an off-the-shelf unit which the end user can deploy in a supply chain without having to make modifications or build additional software components. A complete product application includes interface, database functionality and a supporting engine, which is sometimes referred to as a library or module. A complete product application must have a product name with version with release.

In addition, software companies can test and certify an engine (library or module). However, during certification the engine must be working in conjunction with a complete product application. The engine must have a name with version with release. A company that develops a certified engine may distribute it within its own full products that themselves have not been certified. In this case the certification is still associated with that company's engine.

How are the tests developed?
DGI takes a collaborative approach to developing test plans by incorporating use cases from sponsoring organizations and industry representatives. This process also benefits software vendors' market validation because DGI gets direct input from the respective industry vertical about feature sets that are requested by the market. Rather than testing against a single reference implementation, the DGI's Interoperability Compliance Process™ cross-tests all participating products against each other to ensure interoperability among all products in the test round. The test plans will be reviewed by those vendors who choose to join the interoperability project and necessary modifications will be made as appropriate. Drummond Group, Inc. writes the test plans and facilitates the testing process.

What benefits will participating in this test bring to my company?
Participating in the test will bring the following benefits:

• Develop global market penetration for a particular standard and their products
• Learn the early needs of the sponsoring user community to aid marketability of product launch
• De-bug their software with their competitors in a low risk, neutral, "market simulated" test environment rather than on their customers
• Gain market acceptance and recognition for new standards and their applications in a low cost manner
• Save time in the de-bugging of new releases and versions
• Join the early adopter list of preferred vendors - the shopping list for endorsing organizations.

What is Vendor Neutrality?
DGI maintains strict vendor neutrality to assure integrity of the testing process:

• DGI maintains confidentiality of each participant's progress during the testing process
• DGI only interacts with the software development teams of the testing participants on the phone calls during the testing process (Sales or Marketing are only involved in related press releases on pilot.)
• DGI creates a non-competitive, cooperative environment for vendors to successfully pass and complete testing
• DGI only announces those vendors who have successfully passed the interoperability tests - i.e. DGI does not make public those companies who have not yet succeeded passing the tests

How many vendors generally participate?
It ranges from 7-15 vendors per test. However, there are no limits to the number of participants per test.

How can I safeguard my intellectual property?
Your intellectual property is not at risk:

• No one sees your actual products (ie not your competitors, not even DGI)
• You choose how much you want to share with the group on specific code problems within your product
• All testing is done over the internet from your controlled environment
• All discussions on problems and code adjustment are via conference calls and email
• Other participants only see data exchanged (we provide the data for the test in concert with the participants)
• All participants will be exchanging a series of test messages to complete the test
• No sales or marketing contacts are allowed on the phone. Only approved technical contacts are allowed on the daily phone calls and email.

DGI's role is to administer the testing . The test administration key points are:

• We provide a neutral environment to ensure your and other competitor's implementation are interoperable.
• We do not see or request code at anytime
• We see the test data and ensure the test results are recorded appropriately
• We notify the sponsoring industry organization who has passed the test. Neither DGI nor the sponsoring industry group will publicly announce who has NOT passed the test, only those vendors who HAVE passed the test.
• We help resolve individual participant and group problems as they arise to keep the testing process moving forward
• While DGI cannot gurantee that you will pass the testing, we try very hard to help all participants succeed while attempting not to slow down the test progress for the group - it's a balance.

Where will the test take place?
Tests are conducted over the Internet with once- or twice-daily conference calls. It is suggested that one person be dedicated during the process to handle the testing. At times it may be necessary to add additional staff to keep from falling behind in the testing process and ensure your product stays on the test schedule.

What kind of staffing resources will be required?
Plan on allocating 2-3 months of staffing. There is no travel required. There will be one conference call a day which the primary programmer is required to attend. These can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour depending upon the problems the participants are experiencing.

1. part time or full time dedicated programmer(depends on the maturity of the product)
2. part time management support The time requirements for the management person will be minimal -- we just want this person to be identified.
3. part time security staff support The time requirements for the security staff/programmer may be significant at first but minimal as the test progresses.

What stage of software is used in the testing?
In the early cycles of testing new standards, software vendors can enter the project with incomplete software which will be improved throughout the initiative. An interactive process is followed where everyone cooperates and completes the pilot together to prove the capability and ensure the availability of a selection of solutions that work.

Can you provide additional details on how to interpret what is listed on the Drummond Certified™ interoperability certification list?
The certification list contains complete product applications and software engines (sometimes referred to as libraries or modules). The complete product applications are off-the-shelf units which the end-user can deploy in a supply chain without having to make modifications or build additional software components. A complete product application includes interface, database functionality and a supporting engine, which is sometimes referred to as a library or module.

Engines may be utilized in multiple product applications which are developed by the original manufacturer. To be considered as interoperability certified, complete product applications must be from the original manufacturer and either match the name and version-with-release of one of the complete product applications on this list OR must utilize an engine with correct version-with-release on this list.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact us for more info.
Drummond Group, Inc.
512-826-2938 phone
512-335-5644 fax
info@Drummondgroup.com
www.drummondgroup.com