EbXML - History and Features - Research Paper Example

?Running Head: EBXML – HISTORY AND EbXML – History and Features EbXML – History and Features Introduction The full form of ebXML or e-business XML is Electronic Business using eXtensible Markup Language. It is a member of the XML based specifications’ family. The mission behind this technology is to institute an XML-based architecture that would enable global utilization of electronic business data through a consistent, secure, interoperable, and most importantly, open source framework. The aspiration behind this technology is both daring and practicable. EbXML is envisaged as to create a unique and unified global electronic marketplace whereat enterprises in any geographical area and of any size can collaborate and conduct trade with each other through XML-enabled messages. EbXML is highly Internet oriented too. History of EbXML EbXML is a technology, which can be considered as a part of the greater e-commerce technology framework. Analysis of the backdrop of development of ebXML reveals that it is posed to emerge as a more simplified but improvised option against Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). E-commerce began to develop during the 1980s. “Electronic commerce is not a new concept. For the past 25 years, companies have been exchanging information with each other electronically, based on the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standards. Unfortunately, EDI currently requires significant technical expertise, and deploy tightly coupled, inflexible architectures.” (Bhuvaneswari and Sujatha, 2011, p. 142) With the lapse of time since the 1980s, experts from the fields of business and technology felt the need to find a substitute for the complex EDI applications that generally needs a dedicated network involving costly arrangements. United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) and Organization for the advancement of structured Information Standards (OASIS), therefore came together in 1999 and started ebXML as a conjoined initiative and mission (OASIS Open, 2006; Kotok and Webber, 2001) In the beginning of the 21st century, ebXML was considered to be a sort of new standard for global e-commerce, which had the potential to solve the problems arising from EDI implementation and programming (Chiu, 2002). The high level technology workgroups from UN/CEFACT and OASIS held several meetings, conducted researches, and facilitated the development of ebXML through intensive and continued efforts from 1999 to 2001. From then, the two organizations shared the responsibilities of the different specifications related to the technology including the simple to use XML standards. By 2006, ebXML emerged as a major open source technology (OASIS Open, 2006). Today, “ebXML is open to anyone and the initiative enjoys broad industry support with over 75 member companies and in excess of 2,000 participants drawn from over 30 countries.” (Bhuvaneswari and Sujatha, 2011, p.142) Features of EbXML In order to understand the features of ebXML, it should be kept in mind that ebXML actually developed from the derivations, adaptations, and variants of the pre-existing EDI technology. At the earliest stage, object oriented EDI was developed. Next, this technology was improved with the help of markup technologies like eXtensible Markup Language (XML), and XML Schema Definition Language (XSDL). Moreover, ANSI X12 EDI sponsored the future version work of X12 EDI. All these developments in the field of advanced coding gave rise to the simple but versatile architecture of ebXML. (Gibb and Damodaran, 2002; Walsh, 2002) EbXML is suitable with the technical complexity of modern e-commerce and the demands of our dynamic business world. EbXML applications can be developed on the platform of a pre-existing EDI framework. It is vendor neutral and highly interoperable. The scripting of involved in implementing ebXML is relatively simple; moreover it involves the best benefits of the markup technologies. Today, the open source derivations of ebXML itself are based on the OASIS Business-Centric Methodology specifications and standards, which have become a significant guiding element in the 21st century e-commerce and global business technology (OASIS Open, 2006) EbXML is based on five layers of standards determining the utilization of data and related processing. The main features of the technology include the XML standards involving the following: 1. Business Process: The specification defines the feature of ebXML, which makes it interoperable with electronic data processing (EDP) and enterprise resource planning (ERP). (Babu, 2004) 2. Collaboration Protocol: This is the complex framework with the help of which Collaboration Protocol Profile (CPP) documents work. Features like implementation and utilization of digital signatures, network addressing, acknowledgements, and related algorithms are defined under CPP. (OASIS Open, 2006) 3. Data Components: EbXML defines data into flexible categories, which increase processing. The core specifications available in the technology help data handling immensely. (Gibb and Damodaran, 2009) 4. Messaging: EbXML is “based on Internet as: HTTP, TCP/IP, mime, SMTP, ftp, UML, and XML.” (Bhuvaneswari and Sujatha, 2011, p.142) Thus, vendor neutral but secure messaging service is provided by ebXML. 5. Repositories and registries: Since ebXML is an open source technology, the registry of an ebXML based open source business software application can be engineered according to organization specific needs. The flexibility provided by ISO 15000-3: ebXML Registry Information Model is immensely useful in this context. (Babu, 2004; Gibb and Damodaran, 2002) In the academic world, the feature of creating and implementing Collaboration Protocol Profile documents that help inter-organizational communication has been particularly appreciated. Flexible and quick messaging facilities are another most appreciated characteristic of the technology. However, O’Neill (2003) has pointed out that ebXML can provide high level of web security too. With the lapse of time, as the volume of global e-commerce grows, ebXML can emerge as a dependable technology as it provides not only interoperability and speed but also critical web security inside the risky public networks. Researchers like Kotok and Webber (2001) and Babu (2004) have also highlighted this very important aspect of ebXML. Conclusion EbXML evolved primarily as a joint effort of UN/CEFACT and OASIS. These organizations developed ebXML as an open source technology. Hence, a significant portion of the basic scripts and registry adaptations are available as free resources. Moreover, embedding e-commerce in markup technology gives rise to a technical framework that is simple to use in itself. In this way, after the initial development phase of e-commerce through the 1980s, ebXML emerges a major technological phenomenon in this realm in the wake of 21st century. Various organizations, corporations, and professionals are working together to make ebXML increasingly better and faster. References Babu, S. (2004). EbXML: Global Standard for Electronic Business. Omaha: University of Nebraska at Omaha. Bhuvaneswari, N., & Sujatha, S. (2011). Integrating SOA and Web Services. Algade: River Publishers. Chiu, E. (2002). EbXML Simplified: A Guide to the New Standard for Global E-Commerce. Hobokon: Wiley. Gibb, B., & Damodaran, S. (2002). EbXML: Concepts and Applications. Hobokon: Wiley. Kotok, A., & Webber, D. (2001). EbXML: The New Global Standard for Doing Business over the Internet. Indianopolis: Sams Publishing. OASIS Open. (2011). ebXML - Enabling A Global Electronic Market. Retrieved November 3, 2011, from http://www.ebxml.org O'Neill, M. (2003). Web Services Security. Boston: McGraw-Hill Professional. Walsh, A. (2002). EbXML: The Technical Specifications. Scarborough: Prentice Hall.  Read More