MultiSpeak is ideally suited to supporting a strategic, SOA-based integration architecture or it can be realized in a tactical point-to-point approach with simple transport layer security. A bus architecture makes it easier for a single application uniformly to support services for a number of other software packages in place at a utility. Structuring the web services in this manner also helps to support a service oriented architecture (SOA). Figure 1 illustrates the MultiSpeak service bus architecture.
As shown in the Figure, MultiSpeak supports a number of functions (represented by the single boxes, for example, CD: Connect/Disconnect). Software vendors offer products that will contain one or more functions combined into applications. This functional decomposition permits applications to flexibly support only those functions that are important for that vendor’s desired integration and also supports the reusability of interface functionality.
The Notification (NOT) endpoint enables any application to subscribe to any number of publish-type messages provided by a wide variety of publishers.
The following table provides a comparison of selected capabilities by of MultiSpeak as contained in the most recent releases of Versions 3.0 (build ac), 4.1.6, and Version 5.0, including endpoint coverage and specification attributes.
| Capability | Version 3.0, build ac | Version 4.1.6 | Version 5.0 |
| Meter Reading | X | X | Improved |
| Connect/Disconnect | X | X | X |
| Prepaid Metering | X | X | X |
| Staking/Field Design | X | X | Improved |
| GIS | X | X | Improved |
| Distribution model management (connectivity) | X | X | Improved |
| Engineering database exchange | X | X | |
| Direct load control | X | X | X |
| Demand response | X | X | |
| Outage management | X | X | Improved |
| SCADA/DMS | X | X | X |
| Work management | X | Improved | |
| AVL | Limited | X | Improved |
| Water and gas metering | Limited | X | Improved |
| Switching orders | X | Improved | |
| Tagging/clearances | NEW | ||
| Asset management | X | Improved | |
| Demand management | NEW | ||
| Inventory management | Limited | Limited | Improved |
| Assembly management | Limited | Limited | Improved |
| Internationalization | X | X | |
| Subscription management | Optional | Required | |
| Universal subscriber | Optional | Required | |
| Unique identifiers | NEW | ||
| Best Practice WSDLs | NEW | ||
| Clear message header usage | NEW | ||
| Error handling | Limited | Improved | |
| Enumerated string fields | Few | Limited | Extensive |
| Extensible enumerations | NEW | ||
| MDM | X | X | Streamlined |
| Use case documentation | None | Partial | Comprehensive |
| Testing and certification | X | X | Improved |