What is a MIM?

The minimal interoperability mechanisms (MIMs) enable a minimal but sufficient level of interoperability for data, systems and services specifically in the context of smart city solutions. A MIM provides easy-to-use solutions, both technical and non-technical. 
A MIM helps you to:

• avoid getting stuck with one supplier’s tools
• make digital investments more future-proof
• improve cooperation between departments and public services
• roll out digital solutions more quickly and efficiently
• improve the ability to use technology to solve local and global societal challenges

MIM Framework

MIMs are organised in a simple framework that consist of two distinct categories:

1. Foundational MIMs
2. Application-Specific MIMs.

Foundational MIMs

These MIMs provide the core functionalities needed to have data interoperability within a city’s data ecosystem.
These MIMs focus on complementary capabilities with a clear separation of concerns. They can also be considered incrementally for a city’s digital transformation journey when building an interoperability local data ecosystem.
For instance, context information management relates both to data access and interlinking it. Even though different technologies may be used to realise one or the other, NGSILD (modern standard that lets smart systems share real-world data in a common, consistent way) tackles them both.
Foundational MIMs tackle interoperability issues that are related to the typical data journey:

• Before any data can be made available in a city’s data ecosystem, access to relevant data sources to encompass that ecosystem has to be ensured. All data should be made available via APIs, ideally based on interoperable standards. MIM0

• Once data is accessible, it should be represented in an interoperable way using standards-based data format so it can be effectively used across an organisation or the wider data ecosystem. MIM2

• The next step in establishing an interoperable data ecosystem is to ensure that data is discoverable and adequately described (meta-data) to facilitate its reuse by others and that usage terms are clearly defined in an interoperable way. A data ecosystem also requires suitable value flow and trust mechanisms to ensure that providers and consumers in a data ecosystem can exchange data in an interoperable and trusted way. MIM3

• In order to better extract insights and knowledge from data, data users need a way to interlink data sources in a data ecosystem to express contextual relationships that aid further interpretation. Management of such contextual relationships should be achieved in interoperable ways across different data sources. MIM1

Application-specific MIMs

These MIMs address other issues to be solved in order for the ecosystem to realise its full potential. These MIMs will enhance the functionalities of the data ecosystem. They draw strongly on the foundational MIMs. They address particular application areas of data sharing in which further interoperability issues might exist.

MIMs Framework Overview:

Individual MIM structure

Based on the ITU Y.4505 standard , previously known as Y.MIM, the documentation for any particular MIM is required to cover the following content:

• Objectives
• Capabilities
• Requirements
• Mechanisms
• Interoperability guidance
• Conformance and compliance testing

In addition, MIM documentation may include informative content regarding:

• Relevance to public policy
• Procurement guidelines
• Implementation guidelines

The structure is illustrated in the figure below:

MIM Governance

The Development of the MIMs

The MIMs are updated on a yearly basis based on the work of MIM specific working groups. Once all sections (objective, capabilities, requirements…) of the MIM have been updated they are put forward for approval to the OASC Council of Cities. If approved, the new version of the MIMs will be made publicly available. The overall development work is steered by the OASC Council of Cities that is advised by the OASC Technology Council.

Working Groups

Each MIM is championed by a public body (city/region/community) that serves as a role model in adopting and developing the MIM. The champions lead this work in MIM specific working groups with the support of OASC facilitators. The working groups invite all Open & Agile Smart Cities and Communities members and strategic partners, and Living-in.EU Technical Working Group members to contribute.

Principles

Management of a working group adheres to these high-level principles:

• All work is done in public (reports, request for change and memberships are visible for anyone at anytime).
• Cities and communities are the driving force and thus hold the final right to sign off on the final MIM specification.
  Major and minor releases are ratified by the Council of Cities.
• Cities and communities participating in the working groups have equal rights and voting rights. If there is a vote, there needs to be a quorum.
• OASC only has a purely supportive role: the technology council and tech leads of the MIMs working groups do not take decisions.