SPML (Service Provisioning Markup Language)
An XML-based framework, being developed by OASIS, for exchanging user, resource and service provisioning information between cooperating organizations.
The goal is to allow organizations to securely and quickly set up user interfaces for Web services and applications, by letting enterprise platforms such as Web portals, application servers, and service centers generate provisioning requests within and across organizations. This can lead to automation of user or system access and entitlement rights to electronic services across diverse IT infrastructures, so that customers are not locked into proprietary solutions.
For example, a supply partner (Company A) goes to its partner's (Company B) supply chain portal and requests access to its inventory data, which is stored in a back-office system. In response, Company B initiates a request using SPML to communicate with SPML-enabled identity management software. After automatically acquiring the appropriate permissions, Company B grants the appropriate access levels to Company A to gain access to the data it needs.
This process takes place without the need for the portal environment to have an intimate understanding of the back-office environment. In other words, it's all automatic. The prototype encompasses all of the provisions of the proposed SPML standard while also leveraging the benefits of the Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML).
From Vendors complete prototype of provisioning interface for Web services, Network World on Identity Management, 04/02/03.
Additional resources
OASIS Provisioning Services Technical Committee
The group writing the specification.
SPML eases information exchange
Network World Tech Update, 06/30/03.
Network World on Identity Management
Archive of our e-mail newsletter
Digital identity resource links
Links to additional information on the topic.
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