# Presentation: 749207

## XML Working Group

- Joan Ugljesa
- NDIA PMSCAugust 24, 2004

- 949-609-2999jugljesa@aim-pmcs.com

## Background

- What’s the purpose of the working group?
- Migrate the essence of the schedule and cost ANSI X12 transaction sets (806, 839) and UN/EDIFACT messages (PROTAP, PROCST) to an XML schema format
- Intent is to:
- Address formal government contract requirements
- Facilitate data exchange between other related entities such as a prime and their subs

## What’s Happened So Far

- PMSC meeting August, 2003
- Work group formed
- PMSC meeting January, 2004
- Motion made and carried to take the formal standards path
- Initiated contacts to determine best path forward

## What’s Happened So Far

- PMSC meeting April, 2004
- Reported on 2 possible paths:  ANSI X12 and UN/CEFACT
- Both in process of finalizing basic components needed to define standards-based schemas
- Long development time frame
- OSD PA&E provided point of contact with the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) to further  investigate their XML activities
- AIA Electronic Enterprise Integration Committee
- Dept. of Interior contact
- xml.gov Emerging Technology Group is interested in development work/progress

## Current Plan

- Actively pursuing best path forward
- ebXML framework with OASIS and UN/CEFACT core components
- Plus the Open Applications Group (OAGi) schema development rules
- Complements AIA XML efforts
- Working with OAGi to develop schemas for DoD purchase orders and contracting

**Notes:**
ebXML is short for electronic business XML
ebXML is a collaboration between OASIS (Organization for Advancement of Structured Information Standards) and UN/CEFACT (UN Center for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business)  UN/CEFACT is one of the few formal standards bodies in the world; others include ANSI and ISO.  
OASIS was founded in 1993 (non-profit organization).  They focus on the development, convergence, and adoption of e-business standards.   Membership includes over 3,000 participants representing over 600 companies and individuals from over 100 countries.  

LM is leading effort to develop a set of schemas for use in the DoD contracting/procurement environment.  

## ebXML 

- ebXML is built on XML and other Internet standards to create an infrastructure for information and process based electronic business
- Is open and free to anyone with interest
- Based on process models encoded in XML
- Supports any type of data
- Provides framework and core components
- Gaining momentum fast – merging many XML, Internet, and ISO standards efforts
- Recognized by ISO

**Notes:**
Background information on ebXML.  First horizontal standard designed to address the exchange of information between enterprises.  As opposed to other standards efforts (industry or function focus), it is a complete standard that addresses:
Business processes
Core data components
Collaboration protocol agreements (standard information exchange and structure)
Messaging
Registries and repositories
Security
Has been gaining momentum in 2003 and into 2004.  Recently (March 29, 2004) OASIS and ebXML standards have been recognized and endorsed by ISO that enables business data interchange over the internet (ISO 15000).  Widely used internationally.  Industry endorsements and support include:  RosettaNet, Global Commerce Initiative, Automotive Industry Action Group, Health Level Seven, Open Applications Group, SWIFT (financial).  DoD has implemented for EMALL.    

## About OAGi

- Not for profit industry consortium
- Standards development organization
- Uses ebXML core components
- Broad set of schemas are widely used nationally and internationally (9 year history)
- Endorsed by and affiliated with other industry associations (AIA, European aerospace industry)
- UN/CEFACT approved XML syntax payload
- Practical, well proven, fast track approach to developing royalty free schemas
- Good fit for project management data!

**Notes:**
Background:
Founded in 1994 originally by ERP vendors.  Umbrella organization for building business languages for interoperability.  
Define scenarios and business object documents (BODs).  Common look, feel, and behavior across all messages in the repository.  Also uses common dictionary, ebXML core components.  Enables high level of re-use.  Structure is such that the schemas are framework independent (can use web services, ebXML, or other custom framework).  Current release (version 8.0) use XML schema (not older DTD format), support 62 scenario definitions, 190 BODs, 62 nouns, 19 verbs.  Approach uses business process architecture (UML), common objective module, allows extensibility, and is royalty free.  
Current scope of schema content includes:
Ecommerce
Manufacturing
Logistics
CRM
ERP
Also work with a number of other industry consortiums and standards organizations.  Endorsed by 7 industries, used in over 38 industries in over 40 countries.   Have also worked with various federal egov XML working groups (Department of Interior is one).   

## What’s Next

- Initial background materials provided for OAGi August working group meeting
- May create a new working group or join existing one
- Currently working membership issues and details
- Must create a series of deliverables that conform to development approach and complete approval process
- Once work begins, fast track approach means we can complete development within 5 to 8 months (typical development time)
- Will incorporate latest updates to the CPR and IMS DIDs

**Notes:**
Can start work with OAGi at any time once membership issues are resolved.  Next working group meeting is in November.  

## What’s the End Benefit?

- A library of XML cost and schedule components defined in a broadly used industry standard
- Software vendor neutral format
- Established a formal standard that can be cited in contracts and requirements much like the ANSI X12 EDI transaction sets or the EIA/ANSI 748 EVMS standard
- Follows OMB Circular A-119 which encourages agency use of voluntary consensus standards

## Resources

| ebXML | www.ebxml.org |
| --- | --- |
| OASIS | www.oasis-open.org |
| UN/CEFACT | www.unece.org/cefact/index.htm |
| Open Applications Group (OAGi) | www.openapplications.org |
| Log of working group activities and documents | www.aim-pmcs.com
Follow the link at the bottom of the home page
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