*Overview *Goals *Architecture

Goals

In the SemDAV project, we work on the design of structures, algorithms and protocols that support the implementation of a semantic storage system for unstructured content. Similar to a human brain that establishes connections between concepts and objects, the SemDAV system provides technology that allows one to replace traditional hierarchical file systems with more user-friendly and intuitive systems. Systems built on top of a semantic network of unstructured content and semantically enriched metadata may provide the following advantages in comparison to existing approaches:

  1. Search and retrieval times for unstructured content can be reduced. This applies to all types of data (including multimedia assets, such as pictures or videos) and all types of data sources (including, but not restricted to common file servers, web servers, and mail servers).
  2. A semantic data management framework is established, which allows applications to be built that make use of the extended functionalities in comparison to traditional file systems.
  3. The semantic relations can be used to improve the safety and efficiency of medium-term archiving of said content (by archiving only relevant, active content - a concept that we intend to pursue commercially after concluding the SemDAV project).
  4. The semantic information allows the implementation of intelligent, proactive and adaptive content sharing strategies.

Moreover, SemDAV introduces technologies that expose the unstructured content and associated metadata to users and applications. By extending standard protocols, SemDAV still allows legacy applications (including legacy file manipulation utilities, for example the Windows Explorer) to access and manipulate the stored content.