Presentation Transcript

1. Semantic Technologies and the Public Sector

   January 24th, 2012 Seth Earley, CEO, Earley & Associates
2. Seth Earley, Founder & CEO, Earley & Associates Co-author of Practical Knowledge Management from IBM Press 17 years experience building content and knowledge management systems, 20+ years experience in technology Former Co-Chair, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Science and Technology Council Metadata Project Committee Founder of the Boston Knowledge Management Forum Former adjunct professor at Northeastern University Editor Information Professional Magazine from the IEEE Guest speaker for US Strategic Command briefing on knowledge networks Currently working with enterprises to develop knowledge and digital asset management systems, taxonomy and metadata governance strategies Founder of Taxonomy Community of Practice – host monthly conference calls of case studies on taxonomy derivation and application. http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/TaxoCoP 150+calls since 2005 Co-founder Search Community of Practice: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/SearchCoP
3. Agenda What are semantic technologies? What are some practical applications in the public sector? What do we need to do to prepare for semantic technology adoption?
4. What do we mean by semantics? The study of language, study of linguistic meaning, the meaning of words, patterns of concepts Meanings applied to symbols (words are symbols) Semantics means the study of meaning (Circular logic definition)
5. What do we mean by semantics? “Implied meaning of data”
6. More Hype? Isn’t everything Semantic? Taxonomies are semantic Search is semantic Data integration is semantic
7. Applied Semantics The ability to model concepts, attributes and relations to support the integration of heterogeneous applications and systems and enhance the value of information Web services (SOA – Services Oriented Architecture) are built on common definitions and attributes The goal is to allow applications to be assembled into new configurations in order to support unanticipated user needs (think Mashup of Google Maps with crime statistics data)
8. Applied Semantics Data integration (Linked Data) is a class of semantic technology Linked Data consists of approaches for connecting structured and unstructured data on the web. A mash-up leverages Linked Data, but also leverages application functionality based on Web Services Enterprise search applications and content management tools are increasingly adopting semantic technology constructs
9. Characteristics of Semantic Approaches Consistent ways of representing concepts Agreed upon terminology Mechanisms for leveraging concept relationships Algorithms to extract meaning make inferences or ‘reason’ based on logical models and heuristics (rules synthesized as “artificial intelligence”)
10. Characteristics of Semantic Approaches Consistent ways of representing concepts Agreed upon terminology
11. Consistent Concepts and Agreed Upon Terminology Structural metadata – that’s good Non-interoperable – that’s bad Structural interoperabilityvia Dublin Core -- better Standardization on Dublin Core Inconsistent semantic valuesremain a problem Source: Lourosenfeld.com Semantic merging – Ideal…
12. Characteristics of Semantic Approaches … make inferences or ‘reason’ based on logical models and heuristics… Query: I am looking for photos of people smiling When you become happy you smile You become happy when someone you love accomplishes a milestone Taking ones first step is a milestone Parents love their children Title: A mother watching baby take first steps
13. Public Sector Initiatives National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) National program supported by the federal government to support people and organizations engaged in integration efforts Develops common vocabularies around integration approaches Associations, federal agencies, states and industry collaborate to share approaches and practices. Includes international entities Does not actually create standards but facilitates standards creation
14. NIEM Domains Biometrics – fingerprint, DNA, facial images CBRN – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear – information exchange to detect and interdict threats Children, Youth and Family Services- Improving outcomes for children and youth at risk Cyber- Coordinated efforts to improve computer security Emergency Management - coordinate responses to recover from natural disasters or acts of terrorism Immigration – support immigration related services Infrastructure protection – strengthen and protect critical infrastructure Intelligence - exchanging intelligence among federal, state, and local agencies on a foreign or domestic basis International trade – Protect movement of trade across US borders Justice- Supports Global Justice XML project to share information between jurisdictions Maritime – Anything associated with global maritime Screening –In support of a wide range of screening and credentialing activities for Homeland Security Human Services - communications that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities.
15. EURADICE EURopean Inter-Disciplinary research on Intelligent Cargo for Efficient safe and environment-friendly logistics Platform to enable cargo items to interact with systems and users along the logistics chain Scenarios include: Connected transport and production processes Active cold-chain monitoring Cargo controlling transportation in 3PL services to final customer Cooperative warehousing through cargo-centric information services Self-returning empty pallets and boxes Cargo-assisted intermodal transport Intelligent routing through cargo-infrastructure cooperation Automated clearance and billing of transiting goods Source: http://www.euridice-project.eu/index.php/web/page/66
16. EURADICE Scenarios Source: http://www.euridice-project.eu/index.php/web/page/66
17. EURADICE Connected transport and production processes Objective to increase synchronization between transportation and manufacturing processes, through: Real time detection of exceptions in terms of missing boxes or delays that can trigger changes to the production orders and plans. Intelligent Cargo is able to detect and inform the user about deviations during the transport process that can bring changes on the production order to which the cargo is assigned and on the future production plans. Calculation, monitoring and updating of the harmonized delivery date of shipments that will make a unique assembled final product. The related Intelligent Cargoes are aware of their interdependency and are able to update their combined ETA at the supplier plant. Source: http://www.euridice-project.eu/index.php/web/page/66
18. EURADICE Active cold-chain monitoring Objective is to improve monitoring of the cargo physical conditions and of the cargo delivery process: Automated monitoring of the order fulfillment, through self-detection of deviations, where the Intelligent Cargo detects deviations in terms of quantity, type, date and place of cargo loaded with respect to the distributor’s order Automated acceptance of cargo, where the Intelligent Cargo prompts acceptance by the customer if quantity, type, date, place and temperature of delivered goods throughout the transport have been within the allowed limits. Self-monitoring of cargo physical conditions, which consists of active recording of cargo temperature and cargo seal condition, diagnosing current status and issuing alarms in case of anomalies (e.g.: out-of-bounds temperature readings, cargo seal removal). Source: http://www.euridice-project.eu/index.php/web/page/66
19. EURADICE Programs require process definition and analysis Business rules creation Common terminology, mapped metadata and data translations Mechanisms to infer logic Application to Application (M2M) communication Source: http://www.euridice-project.eu/index.php/web/page/66
20. Application of Semantics to Search and Content Findability IBM Watson – IBM’s Jeopardy playing computer Not exactly practical - $25 mm and 4yrs, $10mm of hardware Uses taxonomies and ontologies, multiple algorithms to “understand” content (keyword matching, “temporal” reasoning, “statistical paraphrasing” , “geospatial reasoning, etc.)
21. Application of Semantics to Search and Content Findability Search Enhancement – Ability to provide users what they want, not what they are asking for Leverages taxonomies and thesaurus structures (and ontologies) to provide things that are conceptually related As searchers enter a term, the system says “hey, these items are related”. For example, if you search on methodologies, the system may also return related example projects. “Example projects” was not contained in the search query but is conceptually related to “methodologies”
22. A Taxonomy is a list of terms that enable classification of information Method used to organize Subject/Topic metadata Typically expresses hierarchical relationships (parent/child) Emphasizes context A Thesaurus is a specialized taxonomy Equivalence relationships (synonyms) Associative relationships (related terms – “see also”) Preferred terms, variant terms An Ontology is a collection of taxonomies and thesauri A body of knowledge is represented by multiple lists of categories Categories of various types are conceptually related “Sound bite” definitions
23. Competitors Ericsson Nokia Siemens Alcatel Lucent Cisco Zte A Business Units Applications and Software Core Networks Networks Wireless Product Categories Hardware Software Infrastructure Power systems Third party equipment … Solution Abnormal traffic inspection Backhaul Digital media GSM – R Last mile access Mobile operators Ring network RNP & RNO Security Softswitch WiMax … Document types Acceptance manual Branding Brochure Carrier profile Case study Competitor profile News Product data sheets Statement of compliance Test report Universal certification … Telecommunications Product Ontology
24. Concept Modeling – “Breach”
25. Semantics Applied to Search
26. Semantics Applied to Search Best Bet - Suggest Breach Type
27. Semantics Applied to Search Refinement by Metadata Facet
28. Semantics Applied to Search “Breach” Related Terms
29. Semantics Applied to Search “breach” = “violation”
30. So my marketing VP is not mad at me when I return: Marketing propaganda at the back of the room (or someplace) Special deal for TRB attendees for SharePoint IA training Something else that he thinks is special and wants me to pitch to you guys (something about a SharePoint IA assessment and planning workshop – see propaganda item #2)
31. Earley & Associates Overview Founded -1994Headquarters -Boston, MA What we do – Design and deliver content management and search solutions for companies and their customers Our core team – 35 information and system architects, library scientists, process improvement consultants, project managers and other information management specialists Our unique offering – Content Choreography™ Retail High Tech & Manufacturing Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences Financial Services & Insurance Media & Entertainment Our clients include – Global 2000, major non-profits and government entities
32. Partial Client List clients
33. Events and Communities Communities of Practice SharePoint IA Group: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/SharePointIACoP/ Taxonomy Group: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/TaxoCoP Search Group: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/SearchCoP Upcoming Webinar Events February 1, 2012 – Business Value of Taxonomy More to come soon…
34. Training Opportunities SharePoint Information Architecture (3 days) $1995 ($1795, early reg) AIIM IOA Master Certificate Course (4 days) $2995
35. SharePoint Information Architecture 3 Day Hands-on Course The Information Architecture Process User Research & Requirements Gathering Audience and Process Analysis Roles, Responsibilities, Use cases, Personas and scenario development Content Modeling and Content Type Definitions Metadata Schemas and Taxonomy Development Search Integration Term Store Management Creating and Managing Groups Creating and Managing Content Types Properties (Site Columns, Workflow, IM Policies) Overview of Content Hubs Adding Content Types to Document Libraries Creating Metadata for Content Enrichment Core Metadata Schemas Leveraging Managed Metadata and the Term Store Governance Governance planning Operational zing governance using platform capability
36. Information Organization and Access (IOA) – 4 days What you will learn Enterprise search Content inventory and classification Categorization and clustering Fact and entity extraction Taxonomy creation and management Information presentation Information governance Who should attend? Anyone with a stake in the success of your organization’s IOA initiatives Certificate options Practitioner (days 1&2) Practitioner + Specialist (days 3&4) = Master
37. Contact Seth Earley CEO Earley & Associates Phone: 781-820-8080 Email: seth@earley.com Follow me on twitter: sethearley Connect with me on  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethearley
38. Thank you