Copernicus DIAS/WEkEO Service kicks off

Developed jointly by EUMETSAT, ECMWF and Mercator Océan International , WEkEO constitutes an implementation of the EU Copernicus Data Information Access Service (DIAS), a central place to work with all Copernicus Data and Information. DIAS will allow users to bring their own algorithms and execute them on scalable computing and storage resources. The DIAS’ purpose is to make it easier for users to access and facilitate Copernicus data and information.

WEkEO will offer cloud-based hosted processing services and tools, usable with the fully free and open Copernicus Data and Information. WEkEO is based on a distributed open architecture concept, federative and scalable, implemented by European industry. WEkEO respond to the requirements for the DIAS as defined by the European Commission and is funded through the Copernicus Programme .

What does the contract entail?

The activities covered by this contract are procured by EUMETSAT in the frame of the partnership established with ECMWF and Mercator-Océan International, in the context of the implementation and operations of the WEkEO DIAS Service funded by the EU Copernicus Programme.

The scope of the contract now awarded to the two co-contractors - Thales Alenia Space (TAS) and CloudFerro - corresponds to the most significant part of the DIAS/WEkEO project, in terms of functionalities, costs and related industrial activities. The following key aspects are addressed:

• Provision of computing, storage and network infrastructure called DPIs (Distributed Partner Infrastructure);
• Provision of commercial cloud services for elasticity purpose;
• Establishment of efficient network connections between infrastructure;
• Hosting of CFI elements (SW packages and tools);
• IAAS services including virtual environment functions and toolboxes;
• Web services and reference front office implementation;
• Operations and support services for DIAS/WEkEO;
• System administration & IT helpdesk services;
• Analysis and reporting functions. 

The DIAS/WEkEO aspects outside the scope of this contract will be procured by the respective partners through separate Invitations to Tender (ITTs). These include:

• Data Processing & Tools;
• Engineering support services for requirements management and verification and validation (V&V) activities;
• WEkEO End User Web Portal;
• User outreach and marketing;
• User support & Helpdesk. 

As part of the contract award activities, “commercial exploitation rights” were granted to the TAS consortium for the duration of the contract. This means, the contractor may define and implement additional functions and services, with the purpose to optimise the commercial exploitation of Copernicus Data and Information Services, in line with the proposed business model.

The implementation of the DIAS/WEkEO Service will be largely based on existing design solutions and CFI (Customer Furnished Items) software that are imposed to the Contractor in order to secure the continuity of key design elements, interfaces and user-related functions established already with the Data Service Roadmap/Pathfinder projects and the demonstration version v0 of the DIAS/WEkEO Service that has been available to end users since June 2018.

Based on the project schedule, the Operational Readiness Review of the Copernicus DIAS/WEkEO Services and Operations is foreseen for mid-October 2019.

The kick-off meeting was attended by EUMETSAT, representatives from the co-contractors Thales Alenia Space and CloudFerro and from the four sub-contractors: Atos, GMV, CLS and Orange.

Access WEkEO here: https://www.wekeo.eu/