Handbook of solutions for telematics between European public networks (STEPS)
The Commission's ENS programme has published version 1.3 of a handbook entitled "Solutions for telematics in European public services (STEPS)". The ENS programme is intended to define common requirements for electronic information exchange and to examine the need for interoperability between electronic information networks in Member States. The programme has conducted a number of studies and pre-normative research for definition and establishment of the trans-European telematics services networks essential to national administrations for the completion of a single market. The publication is designed as a handbook for staff responsible for initiating, specifying and implementing new telematics applications and examines topics which are of interest to users involved in cross-border cooperation. It covers the following areas: - Requirements; - Supply of services; - Support systems; - Operational environment; - Financial management and economic analyses tools; - Standards. The development of a handbook was seen as an integral part of the work in this area, in order to provide compromise options and alternatives in several domains from which the responsible authorities can make appropriate choices. The STEPS handbook will contribute to the selection of information technology and telecommunications (IT&T) products and services, and the development of new application-specific software modules to support the information-related tasks identified in the requirements analysis phase of the projects.