WP6

Virtual Access 

  Work package leader: CEFAS
Contact:  Michelle Devlin
Email address: Please login or register to view contact information.

Objectives:

The primary objective of this WP is to provide free of charge “virtual access” to data and information from in situ systems such as HF radar, ferrybox and fixed platforms.

The data and information access will enable scientists to carry out high quality research using data from a variety of coastal observation systems. It will also promote the improvement of existing services and potentially the development of new services. Improvement of existing services may result from feedback from a variety of new users of services provided by the JERICO-NEXT programme. For example, access to in situ data can improve calibration and validation of numerical models and also provide sea truth data that improves the quality of information derived from remote sensing. New services may result from users developing new data processing tools, systems and algorithms (e.g. development of algorithms for processing data from HF radars) in order to make best use of data derived from JERICO Virtual Services. This WP will provide evidence of the existing client community and their needs for particular scientific services. This information will be of value in order to prioritise and promote the future development of the JERICO network. 

Description of work

Modality of access under this proposal:

A user will access an infrastructure listed in the WP remotely via the internet to gain access to a service that delivers data or information. Only one type of access is provided: MoA1 – remote. 

Access can be shared simultaneously with more than one user. EU financial support to virtual access will cover the costs incurred by the access provider for the provision of access to the infrastructure.

Unit access (UA):

The access will be quantified by its minimum duration which will typically be the period required to gain access to the service (e.g. via a web site) and carrying out the steps required to access the data or information required. A UA may range from minutes to a few days or more. The same user may access the service on multiple occasions.

Outreach to new users:

Virtual Services to be offered will be publicized on the JERICO-NEXT web site and through other appropriate mechanisms implemented through WP8. These will include a social media campaign as well as fact sheets and other strategies as appropriate. Each potential Virtual Service provider will be expected to provide factsheets that are suitable for email distribution and other direct distribution methods. Through WP8 publicity material promoting uptake of services will be created suitable for display at scientific and technical meetings that attract SMEs. In addition, providers of Virtual

Services will carry out their own outreach activities that include; improving visualisation of data and information, making data more easily accessible, publicising VA at meetings, broadcasting information through professional networks (e.g.EuroGOOS Regional Observing Systems, EMODnet portals) and highlighting topical aspects of potential services (e.g. transboundary data sets).

Access to Virtual Services

Access to Virtual Services will be via the established web links. However, the disparate services will be grouped based on the EuroGOOS ROOS (Regional Operational Oceanographic Systems) regions. The ROOS portals will provide links to those Virtual Access services in their region. The JERICO-NEXT website will point users of Virtual Services to the ROOS’s in order to access virtual services.

Review procedure under this proposal:

Periodic annual assessment of the virtual access activities will be carried out in WP (T8.9). A template will be developed to gather appropriate information including statistics on the Unit of Access and for example country of origin of the user.

Reports will be submitted to the EC for review by an international panel.

Provision of access to the following infrastructure(s):

Arctic ROOS NOOS BOOS
MEDGOOS Black Sea GOOS IbiROOS

Deliverables

D6.1 Intermediate Report (from an external international board)

D6.2 Final Report (from the external international board)