This part of the standard is the first in a series that, taken as a whole, defines interfaces for the major elements of an interface architecture for Distribution Management Systems (DMS). The standard identifies and establishes requirements for standard interfaces based on an Interface Reference Model (IRM). Subsequent parts of this standard are based on each interface identified in the IRM. This set of standards is limited to the definition of interfaces and is implementation independent. They provide for interoperability among different computer systems, platforms, and languages. Methods and technologies used to implement functionality conforming to these interfaces are considered outside of the scope of these standards; only the interface itself is specified in the IEC 61968 series. As used in the IEC 61968 series, a DMS consists of various distributed application components for the utility to manage electrical distribution networks. These capabilities include monitoring and control of equipment for power delivery, management processes to ensure system reliability, voltage management, demand-side management, outage management, work management, automated mapping and facilities management.