The system architecture project was launched for the purpose of providing DEF with a flexible, scalable and modular architecture. This would make it possible step by step to build up a common technical infrastructure and continually adapt to new technological conquests. Another equally important goal was to materialise DEF and instigate the technical development of DEF as since 1998 DEF had concentrated on essential and conceptually difficult discussions in the Steering Committee.

• Link collection established in co-operation with Danish subject specialists
• Search in and access to decentral DEF subject gateways
• Cross-search and ordering of material in the research libraries’ online catalogues
• Title search in and access from any Internet connection to all electronic journals and databases acquired by DEF
• Searching in The Danish Research Database

• The architecture must be the practical implementation of the DEF vision
• The vision is a system of systems. There will be no isolated central system, but a decentralised access will control the development
• The system architecture project will be the main project for five sub-projects:
• DEF gateway
• DEF key
• DEF catalogue
• DEF subject gateways
• Danish Research Database.

• project started February 1999
• project seminar May 1999
• international co-operation started June 1999
• 5 subject gateways as well as user service and user instruction projects started July 1999
• 1. report on key systems completed in August 1999
• DEF portal version 1 (directory) in operation October 1999
• cross-searching test of library catalogues with Z39.50 started early 2000
• 1. system architecture (Z39.50 based) described in April 2000
• 2. system architecture (three-tier model) described in October 2000
• 2 new subject gateways started in January 2001
• EU tender with The Virtual University about i.a. key system announced in February 2001
• EU tender about i.a. key system called off by The Virtual University in July 2001
• DEF gateway version 2 (directory, journal access and Z39.50 cross-search in library catalogues) opened in September 2001
• 4 subject gateways started in April 2002
• DEF gateway version 3 opened in September 2002 (new user interface, remote access to journals, OAI technology etc.).

For further information on deff.dk gateway architecture (in Danish) see:
DEF Theme 2002