RosettaNet Press Release
RosettaNet to Support Messaging Services Specification Developed by ebXML Initiative

Universal Messaging Service Complements RosettaNet's Vertical e-Business Process Standards

For Release April 25, 2001

Santa Ana, CA --

RosettaNet today announced its intent to support the ebXML Messaging Service Specification for the secure transfer, routing and packaging (TRP) of electronic information.   Future releases of RosettaNet's Implementation Framework (RNIF), which serves as a guide for e-business process development and implementation, will include support for the ebXML Messaging Service Specification, in an effort to achieve interoperability goals across industries.

A messaging service standard typically specifies how information or an e-business transaction is physically packaged, transferred, and routed securely via the Internet.   As an underlying communication protocol, a single messaging service standard can be used universally, regardless of industry or geography, to transport electronic information between trading partners.  

"While RosettaNet remains committed to developing business process standards required to support the complex needs of the high-technology industry, we also want to realize interoperability across all supply chains. To that end, we see tremendous value in ensuring our vertical supply chain standards are supported by a horizontal, universally accepted messaging service, such as the one developed under the ebXML initiative," said Jennifer Hamilton, RosettaNet CEO.   

This announcement is among the first in a series of cross-industry XML standards initiatives from RosettaNet, the leader in global e-business process standards for the Information Technology (IT), Electronic Components (EC), and Semiconductor Manufacturing (SM) industries.

ebXML was established by UN/CEFACT, a United Nations body tasked with facilitating international trade and developing technical solutions for electronic business.   OASIS, an international not-for-profit consortium promotes the open, collaborative development of interoperability specifications based on XML.

"Both RosettaNet and OASIS have a very 'open' philosophy and our organizations are dedicated to presenting the e-business community with a unified, universal approach, rather than a fragmented one," said Laura Walker, executive director of OASIS.   "Collaboration makes good business sense and in the end will provide companies with more cost-effective, highly interoperable solutions."

In support of convergence at the messaging service level, RosettaNet has formed an architecture team, headed by Dr. Arvola Chan, a principal architect on loan to RosettaNet by TIBCO Software Inc., a RosettaNet partner.   "Converging to a single messaging service is an important milestone in achieving e-commerce across all supply chains," said Chan. "Working to deliver on the promise of e-commerce on a global scale is an honor and a challenge."

"RosettaNet relies heavily on the business and technical expertise of its partners," said Paul Tearnen, RosettaNet vice president of standards management. "We are fortunate to have someone of Dr. Chan's caliber heading up this important effort on behalf of RosettaNet."

XML Standards Components and Convergence: A RosettaNet Perspective

Many private companies and industry organizations today are proposing a wide array of vertical and horizontal standards in support of a common e-business language -- so many, in fact, that it is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate among the multitude of standards activities.

"There is currently no way of easily identifying the e-business process challenge each standards organization strives to resolve.   More importantly, it has often times been difficult for standards bodies themselves to identify where their efforts may be complementary and where they may be overlapping," said Hamilton.  

RosettaNet has surveyed the XML-related standards space and, as a service to the industry, has developed a conceptual model that not only defines the components required for B2B business connectivity, but also enables the comparison of horizontal and vertical XML standards efforts using nine distinct layers.  

RosettaNet's presentation, "XML Standards Components and Convergence: A RosettaNet Perspective," and supporting documentation is available on its Web site.  Click here to view this Web page.

About ebXML

ebXML ( www.ebXML.org ) is an International Initiative established by UN/CEFACT and OASIS in late 1999 with a mandate to undertake an 18-month program of work to research and identify the technical basis upon which the global implementation of XML (Extensible Markup Language) can be standardized. The goal of ebXML is to facilitate open trade between organizations regardless of size by enabling XML to be used in a consistent manner to exchange electronic business data.

About RosettaNet

RosettaNet is an independent, non-profit consortium dedicated to the collaborative development and rapid deployment of open Internet-based business standards that align processes within the global high-technology trading network.

More than 400 companies representing over $1 trillion in annual Information Technology, Electronic Components and Semiconductor Manufacturing revenues currently participate in RosettaNet's standards development, strategy and implementation activities. A complete list of partner companies and more information on RosettaNet can be found at www.rosettanet.org.