SAN FRANCISCO, CA and PORTLAND, OR., May 1, 2007 The Core Identifier Workgroup, a joint initiative of The Open Group, the Network Applications Consortium (NAC), and the Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF), today announced the publication of the Core Identifier Framework Matrix, a document that provides a reference point for identifier classifications, and provides a basis for the selection of an identifier form for a global standard common core identifier. This document is the second in a series of publications released by the Core Identifier Workgroup on the use of identifiers within the enterprise.

The Open Group joins with the DMTF and the NAC in recommending solutions to work on common standards that improve interoperability. The Core Identifier Work Group was formed to develop a set of standards for specifying and exchanging a core identifier to improve operational efficiency and manage complexity within a large organization. This sets the stage for widespread usage of a common, standard way of representing identities of people and things. The Core Identifier Work Group anticipates that publication of this document will clarify the existence and relationships among standards and specifications related to identifiers and identity, and lead to further work to standardize common core identifiers.

"The move to Service-Oriented Architecture is bringing a new focus to identity management within the enterprise," said Dr. Chris Harding, forum director for SOA and Semantic Interoperability, The Open Group. "Loosely-coupled services must exchange identity information as a basis for granting access to information and resources. This comprehensive analysis of identifier forms will be of material help to enterprise architects grappling with these problems, as well as helping to address the issues of traditional identity management. And achievement of a global standard common core identifier as recommended by the Core Identifier Work Group will remove some major barriers to interworking between enterprises, and assist the development of a global collaborative service-oriented information framework."

The identifier problem is a technical one, but it has implications from a business perspective. An earlier document entitled Business Scenario: Identifiers in the Enterprise was published in December 2006 to explain the implications at the business level as well as specific requirements for a solution at the technical level. The technical solution and recommendations for its implementation are now published in the Core Identifier Framework Matrix, based on the Work Groups analysis of requirements and models.

"The efforts of the Core Identifier Work Group have helped drive the industry toward fulfilling the NACs enterprise security roadmap by establishing guidance for identifier semantics. We are pleased to collaborate with our alliance partners to develop requirements for technology improvements, which will ultimately help vendors implement products in this market, stated George Dobbs, NAC Chairman, Knights of Columbus Supreme Council.

With a long-standing commitment to sharing its expertise in distributed management infrastructure, the DMTF is pleased to continue to work with two of its Alliance Partners to further the work in the area of identity management, said Winston Bumpus, president, DMTF. As the industry organization leading the development, adoption and promotion of interoperable management initiatives and standards, the DMTF encourages efforts like the Core Identifier Work Group that lead to open approaches to common management problems.

For companies wishing to download the Core Identifier Framework Matrix, go to any of the following locations:

http://www.opengroup.org/bookstore/catalog/g071.htm http://www.netapps.org/pprequestform.cfm http://www.dmtf.org/about/register/apresources/

About The Open Group The Open Group is a vendor-neutral and technology-neutral consortium, which drives the creation of Boundaryless Information Flow that will enable access to integrated information within and between enterprises based on open standards and global interoperability. The Open Group works with customers, suppliers, consortia and other standard bodies. Its role is to capture, understand and address current and emerging requirements, establish policies and share best practices; to facilitate interoperability, develop consensus, and evolve and integrate specifications and open source technologies; to offer a comprehensive set of services to enhance the operational efficiency of consortia; and to operate the industrys premier certification service. Further information on The Open Group can be found at http://www.opengroup.org.

About NAC NAC is a consortium of IT end-user organizations across a number of industries, representing combined revenues of over $800 billion, more than 55,000 network servers, and more than 1 million workstations. Since its founding in 1990, NAC has emerged an influential group of information technologists dedicated to promoting integration, interoperability, and member and vendor collaboration. Further information about the NAC can be found at http://www.netapps.org.

About DMTF With more than 3,500 active participants representing 39 countries and nearly 200 organizations, the Distributed Management Task Force, Inc. (DMTF) is the industry organization leading the development, adoption and promotion of interoperable management initiatives and standards. DMTF management technologies include the include the Common Diagnostic Model (CDM), Desktop and mobile Architecture for System Hardware (DASH) and Systems Management Architecture for Server Hardware (SMASH) Initiatives, as well as Web-Based Enterprise Management (WBEM) including protocols such as CIM-XML and Web Services for Management (WS-Management) - which are all based on the Common Information Model (CIM). Information about the DMTF technologies and activities can be found at http://www.dmtf.org.

TOGAF and Boundaryless Information Flow are trademarks of The Open Group