Chapter 9 The principle of ebXML 9.1 The introduction of ebXML 9.1.1 What is ebXML? ebXML is a global electronic business standard that is sponsored by UN/CEFACT(United Nations Center For Trade Facilitation And Electronic Business)and OASIS(Organization for the Advancement of Structural Information Standards). ebXML thus defines a framework for global electronic business that will allow businesses to find each other and conduct business based on well-defined XML messages within the context of standard business processes which are governed by standard or mutually-negotiated partner agreement. The ebXML standard addresses each of the above points, as we shall see in the next section ebXML(Electronic Business using eXtensible Markup Language), is a modular suite of specifications that enables enterprises of any size and in any geographical location to conduct business over the Internet. Using ebXML, companies now have a standard method to exchange business messages, conduct trading relationships, communicate data in common terms and define and register business processes On one hand, ebXMl seems to promise a grand unification of everything businesses do to communicate with each other. On the other hand, one could be forgiven for thinking that ebXML amounts to little more than a pious, but vacuous, declaration that existing standards are worth following. As with every"next big thing, "the truth lies somewhere in the middle ebXML is a set of specifications that together enable a modular electronic business framework. The vision of ebXML is to enable a global electronic marketplace where enterprises of any size and in any geographical location can meet and conduct business with each other through the exchange of XML-based messages Or in other words, ebXML hopes to succeed Electronic Data Interchange, more often known by its abbreviation, EDI (Official descriptions tend to emphasize learning from EDI rather than throwing it out. 9.1.2 Background ebXML is an initiative whose participants and endorsers consist of just about every big company and association of government standards worldwide that you can think of. Well, maybe not every one you can think of, but certainly hundreds of large companies and bodies Computer/technology companies are not the only entities that endorse ebXML; backers include a large number of industrial, shipping, banking, and other general-interest companies. The direct sponsors of ebXML are OASIs(Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards) and UN/CEFACT (United Nations Central for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business). Lots of standards bodies also have a finger in the pie, including NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology)and w3C (World wide Web Consortium) With such a collection of supporters, it would seem that ebXML is destined to take over the world. I tend to have a cynical attitude toward industry buzzwords and hype. In the case of ebXML, however, I mostly expect it to live up to its billing as a global protocol for most business transactions within the next five years In my opinion, ebXML will succeed in becoming universal by incorporating into the specifications more and more of what businesses do anyway as much as it will by actually getting businesses to do business differently. I'm not sure if my estimation is cynical or if it is encouragement at the openness of ebXML specifications, but the ebXML initiative clearly holds an embrace-existing-standards-and-methods attitude ebXml value Provides the only globally developed open XML-based Standard built on a rich heritage of electronic business experienceChapter 9 The principle of ebXML 9.1 The introduction of ebXML 9.1.1 What is ebXML? ebXML is a global electronic business standard that is sponsored by UN/CEFACT (United Nations Center For Trade Facilitation And Electronic Business) and OASIS (Organization for the Advancement of Structural Information Standards). ebXML thus defines a framework for global electronic business that will allow businesses to find each other and conduct business based on well-defined XML messages within the context of standard business processes which are governed by standard or mutually-negotiated partner agreement. The ebXML standard addresses each of the above points, as we shall see in the next section. ebXML (Electronic Business using eXtensible Markup Language), is a modular suite of specifications that enables enterprises of any size and in any geographical location to conduct business over the Internet. Using ebXML, companies now have a standard method to exchange business messages, conduct trading relationships, communicate data in common terms and define and register business processes. On one hand, ebXML seems to promise a grand unification of everything businesses do to communicate with each other. On the other hand, one could be forgiven for thinking that ebXML amounts to little more than a pious, but vacuous, declaration that existing standards are worth following. As with every "next big thing," the truth lies somewhere in the middle. ebXML is a set of specifications that together enable a modular electronic business framework. The vision of ebXML is to enable a global electronic marketplace where enterprises of any size and in any geographical location can meet and conduct business with each other through the exchange of XML-based messages. Or in other words, ebXML hopes to succeed Electronic Data Interchange, more often known by its abbreviation, EDI. (Official descriptions tend to emphasize learning from EDI rather than throwing it out.) 9.1.2 Background ebXML is an initiative whose participants and endorsers consist of just about every big company and association of government standards worldwide that you can think of. Well, maybe not every one you can think of, but certainly hundreds of large companies and bodies. Computer/technology companies are not the only entities that endorse ebXML; backers include a large number of industrial, shipping, banking, and other general-interest companies. The direct sponsors of ebXML are OASIS (Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards) and UN/CEFACT (United Nations Central for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business). Lots of standards bodies also have a finger in the pie, including NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and W3C (World Wide Web Consortium). With such a collection of supporters, it would seem that ebXML is destined to take over the world. I tend to have a cynical attitude toward industry buzzwords and hype. In the case of ebXML, however, I mostly expect it to live up to its billing as a global protocol for most business transactions within the next five years. In my opinion, ebXML will succeed in becoming universal by incorporating into the specifications more and more of what businesses do anyway as much as it will by actually getting businesses to do business differently. I'm not sure if my estimation is cynical or if it is encouragement at the openness of ebXML specifications, but the ebXML initiative clearly holds an embrace-existing-standards-and-methods attitude. ebXML Value ▪ Provides the only globally developed open XML-based Standard built on a rich heritage of electronic business experience