SBIR-STTR Award

Under this proposal, Virtual Global, Inc. proposes to work with NIST to develop RBAC-BASED WORKFLOW, a workflow system that will use RBAC in a web services model as a form of middleware that can be "packaged" accessed, configured, and reused by integrating with existing trusted RBAC implementations. RBAC-BASED WORKFLOW will be developed in accordance with web services standards and protocols so that it may be accessed by a number of web-based applications, including Virtual Globals's enterprise team management and collaboration software application, TeamLeaderTM. COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: The RBAC-BASED WORKFLOW system will be a NIST standard middleware product, likened to database connectivity middleware such as ODBC. As such, Virtual Global will access the middleware, and commercially benefit from the middleware, although the middleware is a NIST-owned and patented product. This project will create a significant private sector opportunity for Virtual Global, as the RBAC-BASED WORKFLOW system developed under the Phase 1 and Phase 2 projects can be integrated into TeamLeader. It is believed that the integration of a cutting edge RBAC-BASED WORKFLOW system will be a strong competitive advantage that can catapult TeamLeader into market leadership

Role-based workflow (RBW) is a NIST invention that used RBAC technology to implement workflow, with the goal of making workflow easier to maintain and more secure. At this time, Virtual Global has completed a Phase I SBIR effort, in which computer software was created to automate the invention in the form of web services. The Phase I effort was successful in proving the feasibility of the invention, as well as discovering commercial applications of the invention for secure software that manages healthcare records. Specifically, RBW provides hospital staff with momentary access to a single record on an "as needed" basis, rather than 24/7 access to thousands of records, thus dramatically improving security and reduce risks within the healthcare software systems. This Phase II proposal describes how Virtual Global will commercialize RBW, in order to bring the NIST invention into the mainstream. The proposed Phase II effort involves finishing software development, documentation and preparing for a successful product launch. Virtual Global will also prototype a real-world healthcare application using its TeamHost Cloud Computing System. COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: Virtual Global envisions a very large market for RBW in secure healthcare records management and drug manufacturing, and therefore intends to create industry specific applications in these segments using its TeamHost Cloud Computing System as the platform for rapid Web 2.0 Software as a Service engineering. Virtual Global further intends to assist NIST in licensing the RBW web services library to other software vendors to promote higher levels of security in their commercial software applications