MoReq/MoReq2

[cslaci]

Hi all.
I read that Alfresco supports DOD1015.2. This is a standard for Electronic Records Management Software Applications. But my question is, does Alfresco support MoReq or the new MoReq 2, because the DOD is the starting point for these two. Its fairly the same, but for EU countries. Its specifies requirements for electronic records management.

I was searching around but i found nothing about that. Please tell me it does!

Thanks a lot
László

[mrogers]

Alfresco does not yet have DOD certification although the process has begun.   Approval is expected about September.

AFAIK Alfresco has not been through a formal accreditation process for MoReq.  Does anyone out there know differently?

[cslaci]

ok thank for the information mrogers. I was thinking that Alfresco had already approved DOD. But it doesent? WoW :lol:
Do You think it will get it in September for real?

And does someone know that Alfresco is thinking about to approve MoReq?
THANKS

[marcfresko]

Sorry to post this after such a long delay.  Just noticed the question about MoReq2.

My interest is that I was the Project Leader and main author of MoReq2, and MoReq before it; and I now sit on the MoReq Governance Board.

The MoReq Governance Board has a formal, open, testing process for MoReq2.  The situation is at present that only one product has MoReq2 certification so far - and it is not Alfresco.  That doesn't mean Alfresco cannot comply with MoReq2 (though it quite likely does!), it means the product has not been through the formal testing process.

I personally spoke to someone in an Alfresco development company that was engaged in a MoReq2 compliance project to bring Alfresco in this direction.  That was several months ago, and I don't have any information about the current status.  I'd hope the project is still under way (MoReq2 compliance is a big undertaking - much, much harder than 5015.2, and not really comparable even though they seek to achieve the same end) but I do not know.

Lets hope someone sees this post and updates us.

Marc Fresko

[rogerp]

Marc,

I notice that Fabasoft was the first MoReq2 compliant product. I hope someone from Alfresco is tuned in as I am in the process of evaluating EDRMS systems and it would be great if Alfresco was MoReq2 compliant.

If the current situation is that only one company has bothered with MoReq2, does that mean it's a bridge too far? May be DOD is enough.

Apologies for the slight hijack to the thread – I hope no-one is offended!

Regards,

RogerP

[mrogers]

Well it

Do You think it will get it in September for real?

  

It just missed …. dod5015 certification happened October 1st.

I think there will be a period of reflection on the last batch of RM work.  MoReq may be next, but its very early days.

[alovell]

I have just got home from the Lisbon Alfresco Meetup and really the consensus here in Lisbon (and I must agree) is that MoReq2 and/or ISO 15489-1 is critical for Alfresco to start to be taken seriously throught Europe in enterprise deployments where standards based RM is required, eg Banking, Govt etc… So folks when and where do we start??

[mikeh]

This statement is both interesting and worrying at the same time:

MoReq2 compliance is a big undertaking - much, much harder than 5015.2, and not really comparable even though they seek to achieve the same end

Without going into too much detail, what is it about MoReq2 that's "much, much harder that 5015.2"..? Is it just the certification tests, or are there big chunks of extra functionality compared to the DoD requirements?*

As was mentioned elsewhere in this thread, I also wonder why only a single company has gone through the process, bearing in mind MoReq2 was finalised in February 2008.

Thanks,
Mike

*[size=85](Note: I've not read the MoReq2 spec, so forgive me if these are obvious questions!)[/size]

[carlos_miguens]

Mark Fresko is the man as far as MoReq2 is concerned!

I was project manager for the certification against DoD 5015.02 here at Alfresco, its worthwhile just answering some of the points on this thread, first one to get out of the way is that no vendor can be compatible with ISO 15489-1 it is not a system standard it defines records management best practices. It is for an end user organisation to adopt ISO 15489 and become compliant with it, using a system such as Alfresco Records Management or some other system. ISO 15489 does not specify what the electronic product (if used at all) should comply with.

MoReq2 is harder to certify against, this is only natural it's a newer standard than DoD and it has been developed by a European committee to meet wider ranging requirements. The standard is more comprehensive than DoD and the tests are far more detailed.

Although MoReq2 was ratified early in 2008, the testing regime will be carried out by third party companies and these companies were not awarded contracts until early 2009. Hence only Fabasoft is currently certified, expect to see others going through certification though.

When we built Alfresco Records Management we designed it with other standards in mind, allowing ourselves or others to build upon the work we have done. However we are currently in the planning process for our next round of development so can't tell you when MoReq2 functionality will be included. I would expect that the effort for MoReq2 would be about six months once we start.

Having said all this, Alfresco is the only Open Source records management system available - MoReq23, DoD, TNA, NoARK or any other standard you care to mention. The success of a records management project will be governed more by your project goals, project management and how you go about engaging with the business. If you don't get this right it does not matter to what standard your RM is certified to - you will fail.

Equally you don't need to slavishly follow a standard either DoD or MoReq2, neither is mandated in Europe - you are free to make a choice - after all freedom is the essence of Open Source.

Carlos

[marcfresko]

Just to confirm Carlos' point, we do expect more vendors to have their electronic records management solutions evaluated for MoReq2-compliance; it is early days.  If any of you are considering this, I recommend two actions:
1. Consider joining the DLM Forum (http://www.flmforum.eu) or at least attending its twice-yearly meetings to keep in touch with what is happening with MoReq2;
2. Make very early contact with an accredited test centre.  You need to understand the test requirements and process before you go too far.

As Carlos said, MoReq2 is wider ranging and more detailed than 5015.2.  Some stats to set that in perspective:
- Number of requirements - MoReq2 792.   5015.2: roughly 380 (actually it is near-impossible to count 5015.2 requirements confidently).
- Number of words (approx) - MoReq2: 91,955.   5015.2: 32,700.
- Pages (in MS-Word format) - MoReq2: 377.   5015.2: 118.
These are rough figures that tromp all over issues such as how to count metadata; but stil, they give an impression.

Mostly the two specifications seek to achieve the same ends, often with diferent means.  There are a few downright incompatibilities too, and a major difference in the underlying entity model.
The DLM Forum very recently launched a spiffy new website for MoReq2, http://moreq.info.  Do refer to that for guidance and documentation on testing, and many other resources.  We'll be pleased to respond to any questions.

Good luck with your developments.