XML and ebXML Essays

XML and ebXML Essays XML and ebXML Essay XML and ebXML Essay ebXML is an acronym which stands for â€Å"Electronic Business Extensible Markup Language†. From ebXML.org website, the description says that it is a modular suite of specification that enables global electronic market by allowing enterprises around the world to conduct business over the internet. It can be likened to the English language, although different people from different nationalities speak of different language, English is there to facilitate communication and that is why it is considered as the international language. In the same way, ebXML is the language or a tool which businesses can use to have better communication with each other. However, we are not referring to simple communications here, as we are referring to those complicated processes that are taking place in the context of the electronic business. The complexities of different forms of technology utilized by different enterprises have reduced the compatibility of data shared between enterprises electronically. High rate of incompatibility can be blamed from the fact that enterprises do not have one man who does the preparation of the information to be shared, but instead they rely most of the preparation to their own experts. Information systems used by different enterprises in most cases do not produce outputs of common format, and that’s another issue of incompatibility. There came a time when XML was introduced to the market, and it was widely accepted and utilized in information sharing. However, the absence of one man to do the preparation is still a problem. XML based information shared by businesses where having different specifications, structures, and definition. Still businesses were not able to resolve the situation. This problem has long been recognized as a barrier to the success of enabling a global electr onic market. It has long been realized that the only solution is to develop a common or standard rules, tools, or guidelines of formatting information. It is also widely accepted that XML is effective and the problem with incompatibility between XML based information can be solved by creating an open technical framework containing to enable uniform and consistent use of XML. ebXML helps reduce the cost of information sharing among enterprises. Many enterprises have long been sharing information through the use of Electronic Data Interface and this method is expensive. ebXML on the other hand is an economy-of-scale and implementation is easier because it can be implemented through the internet and other available networks. Enterprises no longer worry of the high cost of paying for hand carry, mail service, or make subsequent faxes, making phone calls to send information to other enterprises. It facilitates market expansion by locating potential businesses to partner with from different locations around the world. There’s no need to worry of incompatibility or misunderstanding. ebXML offers a single framework of exchanging XML based information which enterprises having access to the system can use. ebXML is secured. All information registered and shared in an ebXML system is authenticated and regulated by security policy set by the ebXML supporters. Its specifications are supported and continually updated by OASIS , UN/CEFACT, and many other organizations aiming for achieving international standardizations of business operation. ebXML achieved compatibility by providing enterprises with standardized message structures, standardized business process sequence, clear business semantics, and standardized business trading agreements. This makes business to business transactions processing quicker and efficient regardless of geographical locations as long as they are having access to the network running an ebXML compliant system. Sample ebXML implementations is the Dealersphere, a web-service based integration implemented for the auto industry. Car dealers who registered with dealership was connected to each other by the dealersphere engine plugged into dealer’s LAN. Other implementation was conducted supported by CECID and Hongkong government was deployed in eInvoicing System for Metro Operator (MTRC), eProcurement system for HMV Hongkong and Sony Hongkong, and the Dangerous Goods Manifests Submission System, and many others. Other CECID contribution to ebXML implementation is the Hermes (ebMS), and ebMail for freebXML,org website. Other implementations are the ebXML Messaging Services Interoperability and Conformance Validation Test conducted by eBusinessReady, Electronic hiring of temporary staff by European openExchange. Implementation of ebXML The prefix â€Å"eb† may have made the term â€Å"ebXML† as different from XML. Implementing ebXML compliant document structures can be done manually or automatically. No need to worry about purchasing new machines, it is designed to be independent. It can run on machines which support standard internet transfer protocol and XML. Existing computer systems supports the two basic requirements. Doing it manually requires not only knowledge in XML, but also of the internationally agreed standards of how XML should be used. Details of how ebXML is to be implemented are found on ebXML specifications. OASIS and UN/CEFACT accepts membership for those who want to participate in ebXML world. By joining to these sites, you can work with international experts who are collaborating efforts for the development of ebXML, and promoting it to the global electronic market. On the other hand, doing it automatically means using application software which generates ebXML compliant documents. Using ebXML compliant software is quicker because it provides something similar to the click and drag environment. There are downloadable ebXML editor from freebxml.org. Enterprises can create their own network of ebXML users. However, there is one most important requirement for an ebXML enabled interaction between enterprises, and that is the registry. The registry is a central repository of all the business processes, business profiles, process specifications, and data interchange classifications. In short, a repository or registry stores all relevant information. The registry mush have a graphical user interface where users can query, update stored information, insert new information, etc. Free ebXML registry can be found on the internet. There are also existing ebXML registry which are already implemented in various places around the world.   One must only need to search for these registries, inquire, and then register. Once the registration is complete, a registered enterprise can start registering his business processes specification, business profile, and other information pertaining to its business. All information registered on the ebXML registry are made available to all visitors querying on th e registry, which made it easier to find potential business partners. Once business partners agreed to work together, they will sign a Collaborative Protocol Agreement. Once the agreement is finished, the participating parties can start working with one another. Conclusion ebXML is a very effective tool for engaging in a global electronic market. It is less expensive, easier to implement, and supported by international standards. Many enterprises will soon implement ebXML which will enable them to meet on the internet regardless of geographical location.