Overview of SISO: Who we are and what we do ...

The Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO) is an international organization dedicated to the promotion of modeling and simulation interoperability and reuse for the benefit of a broad range of M&S communities.

SISO's Conference Committee organizes Simulation Interoperability Workshops (SIWs) in the US and SISO at ITEC in Europe. SISO's Standards Activity Committee develops and supports modeling and simulation standards, both independently and in conjunction with other organizations. SISO is recognized as a Standards Development Organization (SDO) by NATO and as a Standards Sponsor by IEEE. In addition, SISO is a Category C Liaison Organization with ISO/IEC (JTC 1) for the development of standards for the representation and interchange of data regarding Synthetic Environment Data Representation and Interchange Specification (SEDRIS).

The Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO) originated with a small conference held April 26 and 27, 1989, called, "Interactive Networked Simulation for Training". The original conference attracted approximately 60 people. The group was concerned that there was activity occurring in networked simulation, but that it was occurring in isolation. The group believed that if there were a means to exchange information between companies and groups that the technology would advance more rapidly. The group also believed that once the technology begins to stabilize then there would also be a need for standardization. The technology and the consensus of the community would be captured in the standards as networking or simulation technology matured.

The conferences soon developed into the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) Workshops and were now focused on creating standards based on the major project SIMNET which was established as the baseline standard from which to move forward. In late 1996, in light of the development of the High Level Architecture (HLA) and with the encouragement of the U.S. Department of Defense Modeling and Simulation Office, the DIS organization transformed itself into a more functional organization called SISO.

Our Mission...

is to develop, manage, maintain, and promulgate user-driven Modeling and Simulation (M&S) standards that improve the technical quality and cost efficiency of M&S implementations across the world-wide M&S community. 

Our Vision...

SISO is the organization dedicated to the promotion of modeling and simulation interoperability and reuse for the benefit of diverse M&S communities, including developers, procurers, and users world-wide.

Copyright 2017, SISO, Inc...

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Related Information

The History of SISO
The pre-history of SISO starts with SIMNET, a DARPA program from 1983 through 1991 that demonstrated the feasibility of networking substantial numbers of (relatively) low-cost simulators on a "virtual battlefield."

 SISO's Vision
The updated SISO-ADM-004-2010 defines the essence of the Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO), how it conducts itself professionally, and where it wants to go in the future.

Current SISO Standards
In addition to the IEEE standards,  SISO has promulgated and maintains its own as well.

Organization & Contact Information
SISO is a membership organization that currently includes over 350 members from more than 15 countries.

Simulation Cost & Complexity
SISO exists primarily because major users of modeling and simulation (M&S), including the US Department of Defense, have a massive and expensive problem.  
 Simulationist Code of Ethics
Adopted by SISO 20 October 2003
OMB Circular A-119
"Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities"
Published 27 Jan 2016
M&S Professional Certification Commission
Officially recognized, endorsed, and co-sponsored by SISO.
  IEEE Code of Ethics
Adopted by SISO 11 June 2007