e.centre drives ebXML standard for supply chain interoperability

Three XML software providers – Perwill, SAA and XML Global – have completed the first phase of the ebXML (Electronic Business using eXtensible Markup Language) web standard interoperability trials. The tests were the first of its kind in the UK and were managed by e.centre, the non-profit body and UK authority for supply chain standards. The trials follow the test cases based on the OASIS Implementation, Interoperability and Conformance technical committee, enabling software vendors to test their solutions against other ebXML products. The objective is to help prevent interoperability problems that might otherwise arise because of the openness of the ebXML messaging specification, which is open to interpretation by vendors. “Having e.centre as a respected, independent standards organisation in the project ensured that no single vendors’ interpretation of the ebXML standard dominates the way the specifications are implemented,” says Duane Nickull, vice president of technology at XML Global. “The ultimate win will be for organisations who chose the ebXML messaging, knowing their decision will not lock them into a single vendor.” e.centre’s ebXML interoperability trials are split into three phases and assess solution providers’ ability to adhere to the core functionality, reliability and security extensions of the ebXML Messaging Service (ebMS) using the EAN.UCC data standards. Due to complete in the next month, the trials will enable solution providers to de-bug their systems and ensure their ebXML products are fully interoperable with ebMS. The first phase tested core functionality, with initial results demonstrating that both the ebMS specifications and the EAN.UCC deployment guidelines work. This is especially important for e.centre’s 16,000 user members, many of which use the EAN.UCC standards for their supply chain communications. “One of the key benefits of the trials is that we can test for compatibility with the EAN.UCC system, which provides world-wide identification of locations – the Global Location Number (GLN),” says Joanna Miller, product development manager at Perwill. “This means that ebXML implementations have a method of supporting trade within a global community, which is the very essence of electronic communications.” e.centre believes that interoperability between standards-based applications is critical for establishing customer confidence and is a key stimulant for investment in these applications. With Sterling Commerce the latest solution provider to become involved in the trials, the association hopes that others can now take advantage of the lessons learnt and the experience gained to check against the e.centre benchmark. “SAA’s involvement in the interoperability trials has increased our confidence in the ebXML messaging specification,” says Stuart McFarlane, technical director, SAA Consultants. “The standard builds on well established [web] protocols, like SOAP over HTTP, and as such the connectivity has proved consistently reliable during the testing. “The inclusion in the trial of vendors more used to competing with each other and the achievement of passing the Phase One interoperability tests proves what is possible with a little co-operation.” e.centre and its parent body EAN International are currently working on a number of other ebXML initiatives with groups including RosettaNet, the Global Commerce Initiative (GCI), the Optimum Food Service Initiative (OFSCI), and the Office of Government Commerce (OGC).