Microsoft Corp. today announced a series of offerings that foster improved interoperability for online identity management. Microsoft has been a leading industry voice in the creation of an identity metasystem, an ecosystem designed to enable the exchange of personal identity information on the Internet so all parties may understand whom they are working with online. Three core elements make up the identity metasystem: the people who are presenting their identity, the Web site or online service requesting proof of identity, and the identity providers who assert some information about those people. The projects announced today improve interoperability for each of the three identity metasystem components and represent the next step in Microsoft’s commitment to deliver interoperability by design.

“Our customers expect us to enable interoperability between Microsoft-based solutions, as well as across other platforms and technologies. For this reason, we take a very pragmatic, customer-centric view of interoperability,” said Bob Muglia, senior vice president of the Server and Tools Business at Microsoft. “Addressing the effective exchange of identity information is a perfect example of how we look at interoperability holistically in order to meet a critical customer need.”