OMB adds Mac, Linux to reference model

Federal Enterprise Architecture Program Management Office, TRM v1.1

The Office of Management and Budget on Aug. 26 released a revised version of its Technical Reference Model (TRM), smoothing out details and adding widely-used technologies to make it more useful for people developing information systems across government.

OMB oversees the Federal Enterprise Architecture, designed to foster information technology collaboration and coordination among agencies and help reduce redundancy in programs, systems and investments. It has five reference models, including TRM.

The biggest change to the TRM is the addition of Apple Computer Inc.'s Mac OS X and Linux to the operating systems, or "supporting platforms," section of the model. In the previous version, the only platforms were Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 2000 and .NET, and Sun Microsystems' Java 2 Micro and Enterprise editions.

The technical model is intended for use along with the Service Component Reference Model (SRM). While the later outlines common services — such as back office or customer services — the TRM identifies the common technologies that are used to provide those services, so agencies can share and reuse technology investments.

The Federal Enterprise Architecture Program Management Office also cleaned up this version to make sure it used consistent definitions, illustrations and diagrams throughout the document.