It's not just software...PlugFests for Telerobotics

PlugFests are used to promote interoperability, and standards for hardware capabilities, such as issues in Teletrobotics and Telemedicine.

Ethernet Industry PlugFesting in 2012

The gains achieved during the TeraFabric Plugfest allowed the Ethernet ecosystem to move another step closer to realizing the next generation of multi-vendor converged data center networks.

In October 2012, the Ethernet Alliance, a global consortium dedicated to the continued success and advancement of Ethernet technologies, together the industry’s largest and most disparate array of Ethernet product and technology vendors in a multi-vendor test environment at the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL).

This was the most diverse interoperability testing event the Ethernet industry had seen to-date in terms of the sheer number of unique vendors, products, and technologies represented, all working in concert to accurately represent the entire spectrum of a converged data center.

--PlugFest Consortium

C5 Consortium Membership Turnaround Time

“How long does it take for the C5Technologies OTA consortium process a membership request?”

Here’s the answer:

“We aim to turn the enrollment documents around very quickly, and
for the most part have lived up to that.  We always acknowledge receipt of
applications,  advising prospective members that we will be back with the
enrollment documents.   Sometimes it is weeks before prospective members return the signed documents, and that
certainly will delay the process, but that is not caused by delays on our
end.    

-PlugFest Consortium

DI2E PlugFest Score

The "score" for the DI2E PlugFest (DI2E - INTEROPERABILITY AND REUSE FOR THE WARFIGHTER) is:

Seven DCGS programs COCOM JIOCs USD(I) DI2E governance structure and supporting agencies  Over 37 vendor tables Eight Government displays Four Mashup Challengers DCGS-Navy Object Based Production Mashup DCGS-SOF Metrics Collection Mashup NGA Placeography Mashup Joint Intelligence Operations Center (JIOC) “Data Call” -PlugFest Consortium

Intel did a PlugFest in 2000

In June of 2000, Intel held it's Itanium PlugFest in Portland, Oregon. The event was aimed at making sure that when Intel debuted its 64-bit processor, all the components could work together.

-PlugFest Consortium

What is the Cost Curve that We’re Going to Bend…or….  Bending the Cost Curve Value-Based Metrics

The USAF BTCC initiative is tackling the unsustainably growing costs of acquiring weapon systems.  But, how will we actually measure “the cost curve?” 

At least when it comes to Information Systems, the USAF will use the Value Assurance Framework, or VAF, developed by the Naval Postgraduate School for just that purpose.  VAF is based on the twin bedrock business truths that you “get what you measure”, 

and you “get what you pay for.” 

Fundamentally, VAF equates Value Returned to ("Utility" per "Cost") per ("Time").  Utility = measurably improved mission outcomes.  Cost = Lifecycle Cost, including for continuous tech refresh.  Time = Development Time + Testing Time + Certification Time + Deployment Time.

VAF suggests, specific practical ways to align standard acquisition processes and artifacts such as Contract Data Requirement Lists, Integrated Master Schedules, Work Breakdown Structures, Test and Evaluation Master Plans, etc. with the prime directive for better-capability-per-cost, and better speed-to-capability.

Commercial Industry using PlugFests for Interoperability

PlugFests are being used by industry to validate and promote standards.

The AES, in cooperation with the European Broadcast Union (EBU), recently held a ‘Plugfest’ with equipment from 10 manufacturers, to demonstrate functional compatibility – or interoperability – between a number of different implementations of the AES67-2013 standard. Tests were chosen to demonstrate audio streaming interoperability between each device as a transmitter, and all other units as receivers. All devices were used to test synchronization and primary interoperability.