Welcome to the Systems Interoperability Framework (SIF) Association UK

Where we are:

Becta have taken SIF as one of the central strands in their multiple approaches to rationalising technology in the education sector.

After the success of the SIF Proof of Concept in Birmingham (POC) the need to capitalise on the potential of SIF has led to the commencement of the National Pilot Birmingham.  The scope is to build on the success of the original POC and to concentrate on the movement of data horizontally within Schools and the Local Authority.  This will facilitate the integration of disparate systems and to save precious staff time by reducing the mounting administrative burden of keeping systems up to date.  The project will be financed by Becta and its Commercial Partners and provides a blueprint for the wider deployment of SIF to other Local Authorities.

There are considerable challenges to be faced by all of the stakeholders within the project; however success for the Pilot will deliver massive potential for the Schools data community.  The success criterion for the pilot ensures that all schools within Birmingham are connected to the LA and data can flow to the centre and also to applications from one single point of entry.  The technical solution is only half of the work as issues such as data quality and business processes are addressed to improve the use of data within Birmingham .  A link will also be established to the DCSF to allow information to flow and potentially inform decisions made by Government.

The Final Report on the Proof of Concept Birmingham (POC) is available from the ´Association News´ section, or by request.

Other leading suppliers are in the process of joining the SIF Association and the experience that they bring to the table is invaluable.

UK Specifications:

The SIF Implementation Specification UK 1.2 is now available here: SIF Implementation Specification (UK) 1.2.

The 30-day consultation period for the SIF Implementation Specification UK 1.3 has now begun.  You can review the specification here.  Should you have any feedback, please email it to penny.murray@becta.org.uk by 3.00pm on Friday 6th August 2010.

Downloads Available:

We are pleased to announce the publication of marketing material as follows:

1 - What is SIF?  This is an introduction to the SIF Association and interoperability.  (Double sided A4)

2 - How SIF works.  This is aimed at a technical audience and includes an overview of horizontal and vertical interoperability, the components required to enable SIF, and a SIF Zone.  (Double sided A3)

3 - Solving data issues with SIF.  Examples of SIF in Norfolk, Warwickshire and South West Grid for Learning.  (Double sided A4)

SIF UK Product List:

To review a list of SIF products currently available in the UK, please click here.