Information and communication is the National Critical Technology most often associated with our ability to thrive as a country. We have seen this throughout history as the communications media changed from word of mouth to print to where we are today with electronic media of various types providing a platform for the rapid exchange of information around the block and around the world. As more and more people get involved with developing technology to better communicate, we have run into problems associated with different companies developing different technology that is not able to readily communicate with other forms of technology.

• Customary vs Metric units of measurement
  
  
  When comparing the United States to other countries we find that our way of doing things is sometimes very different. A prime example of this would be Metric System vs. Customary Units. In the U.S. we use Customary Units, so when we want to use something from Europe, it causes a great inconvenience. For example, if you own a BMW in the United States all your bolts and parts will be in metric, while your tools will be in Customary. It would be very expensive to invest in tools for both systems.
  
  
• Cell phone network/infrastructure
  
  
  As we all know in the U.S. it doesn't really matter which cell phone carrier you use, whether it be Verizon, Sprint/Nextel, AT&T, or T-Mobile you can still get a hold of whoever you need to. However if you happen to take a trip outside of the United States if you even get service, the charges you will have after making a call will be monumental. According to German-way.com "the tangle of incompatible standards for [cellular] phones in the world is similar to the jumble of the conflicting television standards around the world- only worse."
  
  
• Electricity standards
  
  
  When sitting in your home on your laptop, or cell phone or any other electronic device for that matter, you are probably not thinking about local power distribution standards. When you take a trip to the United Kingdom however, there are several things may you need. In the UK, standards are very different than they are here. To convert your electronics, you may need a plug adapter, a phone jack converter, or a voltage converter.

FEMA is currently soliciting proposals to increase the interoperability of its 16 agencies with the following Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Grant Program.

Telecommunication has come a long way since Alexander Graham Bell made the first telephone call and Marconi sent the first telegraph (wireless) message. Instant messaging and Internet browsing are no longer restricted to having access to a computer connected by an ethernet wire to the Internet. Walk down a crowded street and note how many people you see doing something on a cell phone. It almost goes without saying that the cell phone has found its place in our everyday life.



For most people, the inability to contact any person at any time would result in a significant loss of productively. Most people do not even ponder whether there are incapatibilty issues, they just assume that their telecommunications devices are interoperable. Cellular providers usually allow communication between same network callers for free, but, in certain contracts, they allow free calls to anyone from any network listed on their calling plan. Even video-conferencing with 3G-phones is becoming an everyday occurrence for many people, allowing them to work from home and other previously inaccessible locations.



Interoperability is arguably one of the most critical aspects in disaster situations. If a group in need can not communicate, or to those providing help, human and material resources will be difficult to allocate. Perhaps the best civilian-level example of current interoperability is dialing 911. In February, 1967, President Lyndon Johnson's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice suggested that police officers have a single number for emergency situations. In 1968, AT&T announced that "911" would be the universal emergency number. Instead of needing to call the correct number of the fire department, police department, or ambulance, you can now call one number and the proper authorities will be notified. This service greatly expedites the rescue process making it more efficient. When natural or manmade disasters occur over a larger scale, interoperability becomes not just important, but crucial.

Interoperability just means that there is a system in which measurements and functions can be reciprocated. Apple introduced an application to easily install 32-bit releases of WindowsXP on to their Mac, called Boot Camp. Apple's operating system Leopard, in conjunction with Boot Camp, allows Mac users the ability to run Windows applications on their laptops in a separate partition this allowing Mac users the best of both worlds.

Interoperability in shipping has also adjusted to today's global market. The wide diversity of railroad track gauges, barge waterway routes, and transoceanic cargo ships, has lead to the rise of large metal containers that have specific dimensions. These dimensions are compatible to trucks and trains. This makes for faster transitions from type to type of transportation. Thus another perfect example of interoperability between countries by sea to land.