This final version of the report includes key findings from the XMSF Technical Challenges Workshop conducted at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey California on 19-20 August 2002, plus considerations and recommendations from the XMSF Strategic Opportunities Symposium held at George Mason University, Fairfax Virginia on 6 September 2002. Key points emerging from both the Workshop and the Symposium include the following findings The XMSF concept must continue to be refined from a high-level concept to definitive technical recommendations, practices, and applications tailored for the M&s domain A set of exemplar applications need to be identified and initiated that can collectively and clearly demonstrate the application potential of XMSF concepts. A number of existing and emerging programs are examined as possible exemplars Web Services appear to be a promising application of technology for focusing future work Security concerns are cross-cutting for all areas and must be addressed throughout any design process(i.e. built in from the outset) Frequently asked question #1: what does XMsF look like? Web, internet and XML technologies for open interoperability in M&s Data and metadata standards for semantic consistency among systems Profile specifications, associated with standards, to define common capability levels needed for user requirements and application support o Specification of mandatory(and optional)standards and recommended practices o Recommendations and guidelines for implementation(e. g composability requirement recommended technologies, application guidelines, recommended hardware configuration) o Implementation and evaluation metrics to measure conformance and capabilities Frequently asked question #2: what doesn't XMSF look like? A single, exclusive, tightly coupled architecture Proprietary technologies which require licenses or royalties for use The next major milestone for XMSF is a series of prototype demonstrations at the Interservice /Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference(I/TSEC)in Orlando Florida, 2-5 December 2002 showing prototype XMSF-related applications to the M&s community The foundation for XMSF's future success is based on multiple strategies. Viewed from an enterprise perspective, commitments to open standards processes are the most cost effective important to have common business models for delivering expert services and develop lg o approach over the long-term lifecycle of technology development and deployment. It is al compatible domain-specific applications. Partnerships with commercial industry can leverage technology opportunities to improve interoperability and achieve greater defense capabilities Many incentives exist to begin demonstrating XMSF capabilities immediately as a prelude to transformational ch The primary next-step activities for 2003 are establishing partnerships among implementers sponsors, industry supporters and standards organizations. This report and the numerous accompanying XMSF contributions the technical basis for that next round of activity XMSF Workshop Symposium Report, October 2002 page 4XMSF Workshop & Symposium Report, October 2002 page 4 This final version of the report includes key findings from the XMSF Technical Challenges Workshop conducted at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey California on 19-20 August 2002, plus considerations and recommendations from the XMSF Strategic Opportunities Symposium held at George Mason University, Fairfax Virginia on 6 September 2002. Key points emerging from both the Workshop and the Symposium include the following findings. · The XMSF concept must continue to be refined from a high-level concept to definitive technical recommendations, practices, and applications tailored for the M&S domain. · A set of exemplar applications need to be identified and initiated that can collectively and clearly demonstrate the application potential of XMSF concepts. A number of existing and emerging programs are examined as possible exemplars. · Web Services appear to be a promising application of technology for focusing future work. · Security concerns are cross-cutting for all areas and must be addressed throughout any design process (i.e. built in from the outset). Frequently asked question #1: what does XMSF look like? · Web, internet and XML technologies for open interoperability in M&S · Data and metadata standards for semantic consistency among systems · Profile specifications, associated with standards, to define common capability levels needed for user requirements and application support o Specification of mandatory (and optional) standards and recommended practices o Recommendations and guidelines for implementation (e.g. composability requirements, recommended technologies, application guidelines, recommended hardware configuration) o Implementation and evaluation metrics to measure conformance and capabilities Frequently asked question #2: what doesn’t XMSF look like? · A single, exclusive, tightly coupled architecture · Proprietary technologies which require licenses or royalties for use The next major milestone for XMSF is a series of prototype demonstrations at the Interservice /Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) in Orlando Florida, 2-5 December 2002 showing prototype XMSF-related applications to the M&S community. The foundation for XMSF’s future success is based on multiple strategies. Viewed from an enterprise perspective, commitments to open standards processes are the most cost effective approach over the long-term lifecycle of technology development and deployment. It is also important to have common business models for delivering expert services and developing compatible domain-specific applications. Partnerships with commercial industry can leverage technology opportunities to improve interoperability and achieve greater defense capabilities. Many incentives exist to begin demonstrating XMSF capabilities immediately as a prelude to transformational change. The primary next-step activities for 2003 are establishing partnerships among implementers, sponsors, industry supporters and standards organizations. This report and the numerous accompanying XMSF contributions serve as the technical basis for that next round of activity