Holmes 2 is a system linking multiple databases from multiple UK police forces to support the profiling and analysis of previous investigations. The objective is to try to link past investigations with recently committed crimes. At the heart of the system is the ‘Dynamic Reasoning Engine’ based on software from Autonomy and the use of meta data. In his presentation, Andy will describe:

• A description of the collection storage and use of data in Holmes 2
• The value add meta data provides and how meta data is used on Holmes 2
• Other potential applications for the technology and approach

11:45 - 12:30 Meta Data Driven Rules Engine In a Pharmacy System
David Plotkin, Senior Data Administrator, Longs Drug Stores Inc.
CLASSIFICATION: USES FOR META DATA

Longs Drug Stores is a major drug store chain with more than 400 stores in 6 USA states. Longs’ new pharmacy system implements business rules which are input by business end users using a GUI driven application. These rules are defined using meta data definitions. At runtime, actual data conforming to the meta data definition is downloaded to the stores and executed in real time.

In his presentation David will explain how the functioning of the application prices for drugs and coverage for a patient plan are all driven by these rules. He also describes the role of the meta data in defining the rules, how the rule definition application was built and how the rule engine fires these rules in real time.

2:00 - 2:30 The Role of the Enterprise Repository
Ronald Dat, Product Manager – Repository Solutions, ASG – Viasoft France CLASSIFICATION: TOOLS FOR META DATA

The need for a repository continues to be a pre-occupation with anyone with the responsibility for meta data management. In his presentation, Ronald will examine both the benefits of an Enterprise Repository and its role in the context of applications such as data warehousing and Enterprise Application Integration.

2:30 - 3:00 Meta Data and Knowledge Management
Donald Soulsby, Director, Architecture Strategies, Computer Associates
CLASSIFICATION: USES FOR META DATA

Meta data has long been recognised as essential in support of data warehousing. The data traditionally stored in a data warehouse, however, may only represent about 10% of the information assets of a company – the remainder may be stored non digitally as faxes images, paper files or photos. The challenge facing the data administrator is how to classify this type of data for use with traditional data so that end users can access it as part of a combined data warehouse/ knowledge management system.

In his presentation, Donald will explain ‘Knowledge mapping’, ways of using extended meta data concepts to classify non digital data.

3:15 - 4:00 Integrating and Exchanging Meta Data
Christian Bremeau, President CEO, META Integration Technology, Inc
CLASSIFICATION: TOOLS FOR META DATA

Meta data can be held in the repositories of EAI tools, Data Warehousing tools, Knowledge Management tools, ETL tools and so on. In reality meta data does not exist once, it can exist in multiple places. In his presentation, Christian will explore the problem of meta data integration – how to move meta data to the right tool or repository at the right time and in the right format. He will look at the problem of multiple standards and how to deal with them, and technology such as the Meta Integration Model Bridge. He will also describe some case studies which use the technology

4:00 - 4:45 A Meta Data Approach to Enterprise Application Integration Nigel Thomas, Director of Product Management, Constellar Corporation
CLASSIFICATION: USES FOR META DATA

EAI is defined as "the process of integrating both new and 'legacy' (working) applications, built using diverse technologies, across a network connecting a company or companies, where the integration requires minimal or no change to the existing applications or data – a non intrusive approach". In his presentation, Nigel will describe the dangers of developing one off interfaces to integrate applications, the lock-in effects of hand coding, and the key role meta data has in driving the EAI process. He will look at ‘meta data integration engines’ and the types of problem best suited to being solved by such engines.

He will also explore the uses of EAI technology as an alternative mechanism to the specific Meta Integration mechanisms to integrating tools with each other and with repositories