Can interoperability be difficult to implement?
Achieving interoperability usually means implementing specifications and standards which may support interoperability in the environment in which one operates. It is perfectly possible to implement a specification or standard and gain nothing in terms of interoperability if the systems with which one seeks to interoperate (communicate, exchange information etc) do not make use of that specification or standard. For example you can set up a Z39.50 target but if the systems with which you want to exchange data expect to harvest metadata using OAI-PMH, then you haven’t gained much in terms of interoperability. This is why so much of implementing interoperabilty goes down to the planning and communicating stage. An interoperable solution requires a great deal of planning. You will need to do a lot of research, a thorough consultation, consider shared requirements and come up with a working concensus on what needs to be achieved. There will be a lot more time spent on preparation work and p
