Biosafety Clearing HouseTraining Workshop

18-19 December, 2008Bangkok

Options forNational Participation

Trainers namesTrainers names

Overview

• An outline of possible options– The different options (4+1)– The pros and cons of each option

• Conclusion and questions

Options for national participation – 4+1

Format Format

FormatFormat

Format Format Syntax Syntax ProtocolProtocol

2. Simple nBCH2. Simple nBCH

3. BCH Crawler3. BCH Crawler

4. BCH Web Service4. BCH Web Service

1. Management Center1. Management Center

FormatFormat

SyntaxSyntax

ComplexityComplexity

Common FormatsCommon FormatsVocabulariesVocabularies XML & XSDXML & XSD SOAP & WSDLSOAP & WSDL

No No IT knowledgeIT knowledge

requiredrequired

SomeSomeIT knowledgeIT knowledge

requiredrequired

AdvancedAdvancedIT knowledgeIT knowledge

requiredrequired

FormatFormat+1. Offline Participation+1. Offline Participation

Common Formats and Vocabularies

• Whatever the chosen option for national participation, conformance to Common Formats and Controlled Vocabularies is required.

• This is the electronic equivalent of using a form (with specific fields for information) with a list of pre-determined choices for each answer (the controlled vocabulary)

Option 1

• 1. BCH Management Centre– The Management Center of the BCH is the

simplest, cheapest and most efficient way to register data in the BCH.

– This is the most commonly used solution by governments and organizations.

Option 1

The Management Center is available online, as part of the BCH Central Portal.

It contains a series of entry forms that corresponds to each common formats.

It provides an easy and efficient way to submit information to the BCH in the proper format.

Submitted information is immediately made available online upon approval.

Example of an entry form

Option 1

• ProsPros– No software to install, location independentNo software to install, location independent– No maintenance requiredNo maintenance required– Easy to use, fully supportedEasy to use, fully supported– Available in all 6 UN languagesAvailable in all 6 UN languages– Server Infrastructure, Security and Backups by SCBDServer Infrastructure, Security and Backups by SCBD

• RequirementsRequirements– Requires a reliable internet connectionRequires a reliable internet connection– Records have to be entered using the Management Records have to be entered using the Management

CenterCenter

Option 2

• 2. Simple nBCH Application– The Simple nBCH is a Microsoft Access database/application developed

by the CBD Secretariat.– USA application –evolved from the former.

• Pros– Easy to use– Does not require a stable internet connection– Information is hosted locally

• Cons– Only supported on MS Windows– Software installation is required– Maintenance is required (for backups, etc...)– Records have to be entered manually– No integration with National or Regional Websites– Single node / computer, no distributed processing

Option 3

• 3. BCH Crawler• Place your documents online on your web server

and wait for the BCH to download them.• Pros

– Allow interoperability with existing databases– Relatively easy to implement– Information is hosted locally

• Requirements– Requires a National Web Site– Requires a stable internet connectivity– Requires some IT knowledge– Requires development– Publishing of information may be delayed (about 24h) – Party is responsible for maintenance, backups, etc.

Options for national participation Overview

• 4. BCH Web Service• Send your document programmatically to

the BCH using the BCH Web Service• Pros

– Allow interoperability with existing databases– Information is hosted locally– Information is published without delay– Does not require a stable internet connectivity

• Requirements– Requires advanced IT knowledge– Requires development– Party is responsible for maintenance, backups, etc.

Options for national participation Overview

• CANADIAN OPTION• Put your info in the BCH using Mgmt. Centre• Get your document programmatically from the

BCH using the BCH Web Service• Pros

– Allow interoperability with existing databases– Information is published without delay

• Requirements– Web Site and stable internet connections

Options for national participation Scenarios

Information is entered onceInformation is entered once

National Web SiteNational Web Sitehttp://www.bch.xyhttp://www.bch.xy

BCH Management CentreBCH Management Centre

BCH Central PortalBCH Central Portalhttp://bch.biodiv.orghttp://bch.biodiv.org

BCH DBBCH DBBCH DBBCH DB

Opt

ion

1

Opt

ion

1

Information is entered twiceInformation is entered twice

Simple nBCHSimple nBCH (MS Access) (MS Access)

Options for national participation Scenarios

Information is entered onceInformation is entered once

National Web SiteNational Web Site BCH Central PortalBCH Central Portal

BCH DBBCH DBBCH DBBCH DB

Option 2Option 2

MDBMDBMDBMDB

NationalNational ApplicationsApplications

Existing DatabasesExisting Databases

Options for national participation Scenarios

National Web SiteNational Web Site

BCH DBBCH DBBCH DBBCH DB

BCH CrawlerBCH Crawler

BCH Central PortalBCH Central Portal

BCH DBBCH DBBCH DBBCH DB

XMLXML XMLXML

XMLXML XMLXML

XMLXML XMLXML

Option 3Option 3

DBDBDBDB

DBDBDBDB• In this scenario, the BCH pulls In this scenario, the BCH pulls

the information from the National the information from the National Web Site.Web Site.

• The BCH pulls the information on The BCH pulls the information on a regular basis to check for any a regular basis to check for any updatesupdates

XMLXML XMLXML

XMLXML XMLXML

XMLXML XMLXML

NationalNational ApplicationsApplications

Existing DatabasesExisting Databases

Options for national participation Scenarios

National Web SiteNational Web Site

BCH DBBCH DBBCH DBBCH DB

BCH Web ServiceBCH Web Service

BCH Central PortalBCH Central Portal

BCH DBBCH DBBCH DBBCH DB

Option 4Option 4

DBDBDBDB

DBDBDBDB• In this scenario, the National In this scenario, the National

Web Site pushes the information Web Site pushes the information to the BCH.to the BCH.

• The National Web Site has the The National Web Site has the control of when the information control of when the information is updated.is updated.

Options for national participation Scenarios – Canadian new option

National Web SiteNational Web Site

BCH DBBCH DBBCH DBBCH DB

BCH Web ServiceBCH Web Service

BCH Central PortalBCH Central Portal

BCH DBBCH DBBCH DBBCH DB

Option 4Option 4

• In this scenario, the In this scenario, the BCH BCH Central Portal pushes the Central Portal pushes the

information to the information to the Web SiteWeb Site ..

Option 1Option 1

BCH Management CentreBCH Management Centre

Conclusion

• National options for participation

– No solution is better than others– The best option depends on

• the needs– how much information you have and;– how often you need to update your information

• the assets– existing databases– platform used (windows, unix, etc.)

• actual and future resources– IT knowledge– financial resources