The Merlin platform provides a comprehensive environment for the management of a broad spectrum of components. Open source projects such as the OpenIM instant messaging server, the PhoenixJMS a JMS messaging platform, along with a suite of Apache projects can be viewed as meta-driven component solutions. Each of these initative, from complex system such as the James enterprise messaging platform through to utility components such as the Cornerstone component suite (thread pools, persistence, task scheduling, etc.) can be represented in Merlin as pluggable services within a composite component context. Looking forward, the challenge will be the ability to locate and deploy on-demand the services you need as you need them.

Locating, maintaining and delivering information about available services, delivery solutions, and usage criteria is the aim and objective of the Digital Product Meta Library (DPML). Using meta information maintained under the DPML, Merlin users will be able aggregate benefits across diverse projects enabling the growth and development of an advanced digital product infrastructure.