« openBC is now XING | Main | Video content on the XBox Live Marketplace »
November 20, 2006
e-Passport testing the "Open Source way"
One of the things I really like about my new job is the varied types of things I'm now able to do - apart from cleaning the coffee machine or paying bills that is. Most of all I am now able to get around and see some of the interesting things being done with Open Source technologies and methodologies.
We have been working in various areas with a local customer who is something of worldwide expert when it comes to e-Passports. One area where they recently decided to go an alternate route is that of the testing of e-Passports. These documents have to be tested for compatibility and compliance with certain standards and regulations, such as those from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In an industry that up to now has been typically fragmented on a per vendor basis, our customer has gone the Open Source route.
After making the underlying testing platform available in source, HJP then formed a community where e-passport industry experts can discuss compliance testing. This is just the first step however, and in the coming months HJP will be releasing their testing platform for various electronic ids and cards as a "traditional" Open Source project - where anyone can join and participate. The platform itself is built around Eclipse and utilizes various Open Source components and technologies.
So, while e-Passports remain a subject with a high public interest, it is interesting to see how Open Source is slowly making inroads into these types of typically closed-shop scenarios.
Posted by Matthew at November 20, 2006 01:39 PM