GarysTurn wrote: So integration of data is possible at the top end, but sending that back down to MLS would require changes to MLS. Some see no need to send the data back down because at some point MLS will be updated and integrated into some type of new system later anyway, and the ability to sync would require updating the old MLS system which the community project can not do.
I am not among the persons who do not see this need, and I doubt that the bishops I have worked with are either. I doubt that any of them give a hoot about satisfying "the community" of developers by giving them hands-on ownership of all this. Bishops and other users care about the end result, not who programs it. I count myself as a member of that community, but if that is the tradeoff, I'll cast my vote with the needs of the bishops.
I do think you have stated the architectural situation fairly succinctly.