Multiware Platform: an open distributed environment for multimedia cooperative applications

In the last years, with the evolution of the communication and processing technologies, the field of multimedia cooperative applications in open distributed environments is increasing steadily. Aiming at these environments, where services may be offered in an open manner, this work presents some results in the development of the Multiware Platform. The design of this platform combines ideas from both the RM-ODP (Reference Model for Open Distributed Processing) and existent industrial specifications and products for distributed processing (e.g. ANSAware and CORBA). The platform offers functionalities to support and facilitate the development, use and management of multimedia cooperative applications