Getting Started with the e-Framework

Depending on your role and expertise, the information you need to know about the e-Framework will vary. Below are some suggestions on which topics to delve into first according to your needs and interests. Which role best describes you?

See how adopting a service-oriented view with smaller, reusable services is more efficient and ultimately can be more economical than supporting a monolithic system. Avoid funding development of similar applications again and again. The documented service genres show that common components are readily reusable.

A collection of related behaviours that describe an abstract capability

Recommended content

1. Animated video - explains the concepts of a service-oriented approach
2. Overview of the e-Framework
3. Briefing paper: The e-Framework for Education and Research (PDF)
4. Technical Walk-through - diagrams that explain the e-Framework model
5. Introductory presentation: What is the e-Framework? (1.84 MB, PowerPoint)
6. Success Stories - real benefits of the e-Framework approach
7. "Authenticate" - an example of a Service Genre
8. Service Genres - list of service types you might find in your organisation

Look at examples of how different functional services can work together to provide a new application without starting from square one every time.

The relationships among technical components (services) used for software applications

Recommended content

1. Animated video – explains the concepts of a service-oriented approach
2. Overview of the e-Framework
3. Technical Walk-through - diagrams that explain the e-Framework model
4. "Admissions Structured Personal Statement" - an example of a Service Usage Model (SUM)
5. Service Usage Models (SUMs) – see documentation of how  services were combined to address real business needs. SUMs based on Service Genres will be especially applicable.
6. SUMs currently under development - (external link to e-Framework Community Wiki)
7. SUMs as a core technical component
8. Documentation template for describing a SUM

See the published e-Framework service components and those currently under development. Gain insight for building your applications.

A specific way to realise a service genre with particular interfaces and standards

Recommended content

1. Animated video – explains the concepts of a service-oriented approach
2. Overview of the e-Framework
3. Technical Walk-through - diagrams that explain the e-Framework model
4. "Harvest Resource" - an example of a Service Expression
5. Service Expressions – look at interoperable service interfaces that communities are developing and using
6. Service Usage Models (SUMs) – how services are combined to build applications and systems. SUMs based on Service Expressions will be especially applicable.
7. e-Framework Community Wiki development pages for SUMs and Service Expressions - (external link to e-Framework Community Wiki)

The e-Framework provides a consistent way for you to document your service-oriented work. The documentation templates cover all the key areas of technical documentation. If used from day one, documentation doesn't become a burden at the end of the project. Your documentation can then be contributed to the e-Framework knowledge base itself, gaining exposure for your works amongst international education and research communities.

Recommended content

1. Animated video – explains the concepts of a service-oriented approach
2. Overview of the e-Framework
3. Technical Walk-through - diagrams that explain the e-Framework model
4. Submission Process overview / diagram of the process
5. Service Expressions
6. Service Usage Models
7. Submission Templates for SUMs, Service Expressions and Service Genres

Last updated 14 October 2008