The OtaSizzle platform consists of user-level services implemented on top of a shared service execution environment Aalto Social Interface, or ASI. ASI provides tools for creating user identities and groups, building social networks, and launching communication channels associated to identities and groups. Thus it allows a large amount of data on the users and the usage of the services to be gathered and studied. ASI is closely associated with the research data gathering component Ressi that collects a full searchable log of all interactions between end-user services and ASI, and the identity management component Sassi that provides a single sign-on service for the infrastructure.
 
To facilitate outside developers to tap into ASI and create their own applications, it is implemented as a RESTful platform for social media applications. Using ASI, anyone can create their own application that is available to the OtaSizzle user base and social network. An ASI application will not necessarily even need its own database.
 
Certain core services are provided by 3rd party components such as www.OpenNetMap.org, a WiFi access point and GSM cell radio signal collection and location calculation service. With its terminal component Sissi, it provides the facilities for locating terminals and building location-sensitivity in SizzleLab services.
 
The portals www.sizl.org and www.sizzlelab.org are aimed at end users, co-developers, experimenters and 3rd parties. The end user portal will also include the CoreUI service component intended for setting advanced privacy controls.
 
The picture below illustrates how all these pieces work together.