NAIC's ASDL represents a new approach to digital information archives: merging many libraries containing diverse digital data types into one large system accessible by its customers.

Lockheed Martin's Intelligent Library System (ILS) is a commercially available turn-key hardware and software solution that efficiently handles vast arrays of digital imagery and other large files.

By mutual agreement, NAIC and Lockheed Martin will jointly participate in the demonstration and evaluation of the ASDL concept. NAIC will demonstrate the increased efficiency of having all necessary data warehoused in a common repository, where single, common queries can be executed to locate diverse data that have common attributes.

Lockheed Martin's Intelligent Library System (ILS) features enabling technologies in hierarchical digital storage and complex database management that will provide the necessary tools to accomplish the demonstration.

Lockheed Martin installed Version 2.0 of Lockheed Martin's Intelligent Library System (ILS) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio this month.

The agreement commits NAIC and Lockheed Martin to work together to demonstrate the ASDL concept. In particular, the demonstration is to prove that the ASDL objectives can be achieved through use of large-scale commercial systems that are cost effective and viable.

The Intelligent Library System (ILS) combines sophisticated imagery management software developed by Lockheed Martin with best-of-breed hardware and software from pre-qualified vendors.

Vendor/partner relationships enable Lockheed Martin to provide its customers with the latest commercial technology custom-tailored to their needs.

For example, for the demonstration at NAIC, all storage will be online, although other Intelligent Library installations integrate shelf and nearline storage.

"We are delighted to provide NAIC with the newly released version of our Intelligent Library System digital asset management solution," said Mike Kraus, ILS program manager.

"Our product will supply NAIC the infrastructure and tools to support the development of its all-source data retrieval system from which its customers can efficiently meet their data needs."

The demonstration and evaluation phase of ASDL is expected to last six months, at which time lessons learned will be applied to future development activities. It is anticipated that NAIC will add some functionality to the Intelligent Library System specific to their needs.

Components required to support the Intelligent Library System (ILS) were procured by NAIC through Sun Microsystem's Systems Acquisition Support Services II (SASS II) contract. Sun servers and other components are incorporated into the Intelligent Library System digital asset management solution.