EbXML
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The correct title of this article is ebXML. The initial letter is shown capitalized due to technical restrictions.
Electronic Business using eXtensible Markup Language, commonly known as e-business XML, or ebXML (pronounced ee-bee-ex-em-el) as it is typically referred to as, is a family of XML based standards sponsored by OASIS and UN/CEFACT whose mission is to provide an open, XML-based infrastructure that enables the global use of electronic business information in an interoperable, secure and consistent manner by all trading partners.
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[edit] Introduction
The ebXML architecture is a unique set of concepts; part theoretical and part implemented in the existing ebXML standards work.
The ebXML work stemmed from earlier work on ooEDI (object oriented EDI), UML / UMM, XML markup technologies and the X12 EDI "Future Vision" work sponsored by ANSI X12 EDI.
The melding of these components began in the original ebXML work and the theoretical discussion continues today. Other work relates, such as the OMG work and the OASIS BCM (Business-Centric Methodology) standard (2006).
[edit] Conceptual overview of ebXML architecture
While the ebXML standards adopted by ISO and OASIS seek to provide formal XML enabled mechanisms that can be implemented directly - the ebXML architecture is focused on concepts and methodologies that can be more broadly applied to allow practitioners to better implement eBusiness solutions.
A particular instance is the Core Components Technical Specification (CCTS) work that continues within UN/CEFACT, whereas its cousin - UBL - Universal Business Language - specification is work with OASIS that implements specific XML transactions based on the applying the principles of CCTS to typical supply chain transactions such as invoice, purchase order, ship notice and so on.
[edit] History
ebXML was published in 1999 as an initiative of the United Nations Centre for Trade facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) and the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS). The original project envisioned five layers of data specification, including XML standards for:
- Business processes,
- Collaboration protocol agreements,
- Core data components,
- Messaging, and
- Registries and repositories
ebXML is not itself a standard, rather, it is a container for several key specification standards administered by UN/CEFACT and OASIS. Key ebXML standards include ebXML Messaging Services, ebXML Registry, ebXML Business Process Specification Schema and ebXML Collaboration Protocol Profile and Agreement.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has approved the following five ebXML specifications as the ISO 15000 standard, under the general title, Electronic business eXtensible markup language:
- ISO 15000-1: ebXML Collaborative Partner Profile Agreement
- ISO 15000-2: ebXML Messaging Service Specification
- ISO 15000-3: ebXML Registry Information Model
- ISO 15000-4: ebXML Registry Services Specification
- ISO 15000-5: ebXML Core Components Technical Specification, Version 2.01.
OASIS technical committees and UN/CEFACT retain the responsibility for maintaining and advancing the above specifications.
The freebXML.org initiative was established to promote development and adoption of ebXML-based open-source software.
