Lessons learned in using web services for enterprise integration of complex systems in the Department of Defense

The vision of Network Centric Warfare (NCW) has evolved within the US Department of Defense (DoD) as an internet-like foundation to provide tailored information services and flow among producers and consumers of information needed to support diverse mission objectives. The architecture envisioned is based on a loosely coupled information environment using Commercial standard web service protocols and policy-based information dissemination management techniques to influence the flow of information between publishers and subscribers while maintaining a sufficient level of end-to-end quality of service. This paper presents a brief introduction into how MITRE is helping the DoD enhance information interoperability through the use of commercial web services and points out some lessons learned in using this approach, as well as identifies outstanding issues requiring further research in order to meet overall NCW objectives.