Middleware Announcements

[Lisa Hogeboom <>]

The second NSF Middleware Initiative (NMI) Integration Testbed results
workshop, "Experiences in Middleware Deployment", will
be taking place this coming November 3.

In this full day workshop, institutions participating in the NMI
Integration Testbed
(<http://www.nsf-middleware.org/testbed>)
will speak on their experiences and the lessons learned while working to
implement campus grids, research grids, enterprise-wide identity and
directory services, and directory-enabled applications.

Campuses that will be presenting are: 
* The University of Alabama at Birmingham 
* The University of Florida 
* Georgia State University 
* The University of Virginia 
* The University of Southern California

Middleware deployment and integration with existing applications and
information systems can be a daunting task for any organization. The
challenges involved are often as much cultural and political as they are
technical. Fortunately, while specific deployment directions and time
lines may vary, there are many common problems and common solutions for
those in the throes of deployment.

The NMI Testbed sites have been actively involved in middleware
integration at their institutions and have been focused since June 2002
on evaluating the utility and feasibility of this integration into key
research and education activities. Throughout this process, they have
learned much about what to do, what not to do, and what to expect when
deploying middleware.

The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PDT on Monday,
November 3, 2003, preceding the EDUCAUSE annual conference
(http://www.educause.edu/conference/annual/2003).
Though the event is located in close proximity to the EDUCAUSE
conference, separate registration and logistics apply.

- There is no charge to attend the NMI Integration Testbed workshop.
Registration is limited, however, and will close October 17, 2003.
- More travel and registration information for the NMI Integration
Testbed workshop is available at:
http://www.nsf-middleware.org/testbed/meetings/workshop1103/1103agenda.html