PROCESS FOR LABELLING BUSINESS OBJECTS FOR ELECTRONIC COMMERCE

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and to a device for labelling business objects (10) for electronic commerce, whereby an identification code that is unambiguous world-wide is added to each data record pertaining to a business object to be labelled. In this way it can be ensured that business objects which have been generated on various computer systems (20) can be subjected to further processing on arbitrary computer systems without identity keys that clash or that influence one another and thereby, by reason of a classification code which is contained in addition, can be automatically assigned, stored or subjected to further processing correctly.

Description: Process for labelling business objects for electronic commerce The invention relates to a process and to a device for labelling business objects for electronic commerce and also to a process for carrying out commercial transactions over a computer network, in particular over the Internet. At the start of the description a number of terms will firstly be clarified. Electronic commerce: conducting business of all types over a computer network, in particular over the Internet. Business object: a commercial article or business transaction such as, for example, a tender, an order, a confirmation of an order, a product (for example, music or software), a catalogue, a shopping-basket, an invoice etc. Network-card address: an unambiguous address, implemented in the hardware, of a network card - for example an Ethernet card of a computer. IP address: the Internet Protocol address of a computer that is connected to the Internet. Identification code: a code for the unambiguous labelling of business objects. Classification code: a code for designating the type or particular properties of business objects. Electronic commerce (business) over the Internet is showing strong rates of growth on a world-wide scale, in which connection the Internet is being utilised not only as an ordering medium or catalogue for traditionally delivered goods such as books, for instance, but products and services such as software, music and films, for instance, are increasingly also being delivered via the Internet. For accounting purposes in respect of products, articles, services etc, it is customary in most companies nowadays to make use of a local identification-number SKU (stock-keeping unit) for identification which is defined on the basis of predetermined rules and which is intended to guarantee unambiguity within the enterprise. As a general rule there are also customer-numbers, order-numbers, invoice-numbers etc. Now if enterprises use their own proprietary labelling-numbers and labelling-number groups also in electronic commerce, then there is a risk of these numbers being duplicated by, clashing with, or being at variance with those of other computer systems pertaining to suppliers, customers etc. The proprietary labelling of business objects such as orders, invoices, article-numbers, delivery-notes etc consequently prevents the conflict-free communication and exchangeability of these business objects beyond the particular limits of a system pertaining to an enterprise or combine of enterprises. Due to the hitherto locally limited use of hardware and software systems, this was previously only a locally limited problem. By virtue of the world-wide character of the Internet, however, such proprietary number-systems can give rise to a considerable impediment to electronic commerce. The present situation is represented schematically in Figure 4. A large number of business partners are connected to one another electronically over the Internet, business partners 1, 2 and 3 being represented in the illustration in exemplary manner. Exchanged business objects designated by the reference symbol 10 are designated by proprietary identification numbers SKU that are not mutually compatible. Thus, for example, a problem may arise if business partner 2 receives from business partner 1 a business object, for example an order, the SKU number of which has, by chance, a particular significance in the transaction system of business partner 2 which cannot be foreseen by business partner 1. In this way incompatibilities may arise which impair and impede the operational reliability of electronic commerce over the Internet and require, for example, additional converters or such like. The object underlying the present invention is therefore to solve the aforementioned problems and to propose a process and a device for labelling business objects for electronic commerce so that the world-wide communication of systems for electronic commerce is simplified and facilitated and is not disrupted by mutually incompatible proprietary labelling systems . A further object of the invention consists in undertaking a labelling of various types of business objects, so that business partners can identify the type of a business object, such as a goods catalogue, a product, an order, a confirmation of an order, or an invoice, and can assign it appropriately within their systems. The object is achieved by virtue of a process for labelling business objects for electronic commerce that comprises the following steps: generation of a data record pertaining to a business object to be labelled, generation of an identification code that is unambiguous world-wide, and addition of the identification code to the data record pertaining to the business object. In addition, the invention proposes a computer program for implementing the process according to the invention, as well as a device for carrying out electronic business transactions over a computer network, in particular over the Internet, that comprises: an apparatus for generating a data record pertaining to a business object, an apparatus for generating an identification code that is unambiguous world-wide, an apparatus for appending the identification code to the data record pertaining to the business object, and an apparatus for sending and/or receiving data records that have been provided with the identification code. Furthermore, the invention proposes a process for carrying out commercial transactions over a computer network, in particular over the Internet, whereby business objects in the form of data records are transferred between transaction systems that are connected over the network and an identification code that is unambiguous world-wide is assigned to each business object. With the invention it can be ensured that business objects pertaining to electronic commerce can be related to one another arbitrarily, that is to say, a transaction system can make direct use of a business object pertaining to a business partner that has been provided with the identification code that is unambiguous world-wide. In this way it can be ensured that the various software systems pertaining to the business partners co-operate consistently, that is to say, are able to exchange data or instructions. By this means it is also possible to prevent a situation in which, for example, prohibited or inadvertent manipulations can take place in respect of earlier processes that have already been initiated. For example, the possibility of an invoice relating to one business transaction being presented repeatedly is ruled out. In addition to the electronic exchange of data, in principle no printed copy is necessary any longer in order to be able to substantiate a transaction, for example a purchase order. The latter is present in identical form both with the principal (client) and with the contractor and can only be changed by mutual agreement . Further developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims . A classification code labelling the business object is preferably appended to the identification code in addition. Said classification code permits a labelling of the business object on various hierarchical levels, such as, for example, the programming-language level, the program-mode level, the application level and the business level. The classification code may also contain an item of information for the purpose of labelling the object-type of the business object, that is to say, whether it is a question of a purchase order, an invoice or a catalogue, for example. Furthermore, the classification code may characterise a business partner who is associated with the business object. By virtue of the classification code, the administration, documentation, verification and archiving of business objects can be simplified. With the aid of these encodings it can be ensured not only that the right business partners act with one another but also that the respective business object belongs to the correct business transaction (business process) . In this way the situation can be avoided in which, for example, a principal receives two invoices relating to the same order. A further advantage of the use of the classification code consists in the fact that the business objects can autonomously take "decisions" about object affiliation, processing etc, which is a major advantage in comparison with known solutions. If two (very remote) programs, which otherwise do not "know" each other, communicate with one another they have to know which type of information they are exchanging. On the basis of the classification code the respective program can decide which processing stage these data are then supplied to. The identification code preferably contains an unambiguous hardware-based identifer such as the local network-card address of the point that generates the business object. Alternatively, or in addition, the identification code may contain the Internet Protocol address of the point that generates the business object to be labelled. Furthermore, the identification code may contain the local time of day in the form of a consecutive number with arbitrary granularity such as, for instance, to a precision of seconds, tenths of seconds, hundredths of seconds or higher. The identification code may further contain a serial number and a random number. Consequently it is ensured that, world-wide, no two business objects exist at any time having identical identification codes. Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram for the purpose of elucidating the process according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic function-block diagram of a device according to the invention for carrying out electronic business transactions; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram for the purpose of elucidating a variant of the process according to the invention; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram for the purpose of elucidating electronic business transactions according to the state of the art. Figure 1 shows schematically a diagram for the purpose of elucidating the present invention. Over a computer network, preferably the Internet, an arbitrary number of potential business partners are connected to one another, business partners 1, 2 and 3 being represented here in exemplary manner. Each business partner has his own transaction system 20 consisting of hardware and software for the purpose of transacting business dealings over the network (e-commerce) . Each of these transaction systems 20 has an apparatus for generating an identification code (UUID = Universal Unique Identifier) that is unambiguous world-wide. A device for generating this identification code will be elucidated later with reference to Figure 2. Each business object 10 therefore contains the unambiguous identification code UUID which in each instance occurs once only worldwide. By this means the business partners can communicate arbitrarily with one another over the Internet and exchange business objects 10 without duplications or clashes of the object identifiers arising. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in addition to the unambiguous identification code UUID a classification code CC is appended to a business object. It is ensured thereby that unambiguity is guaranteed independently of the classification code CC, that is to say, world-wide there are no two business objects having the same or differing classification codes that exhibit matching identification codes UUID. By virtue of the classification code CC the business objects 10 are, in addition, semantically encrypted. By this means the assignment and further processing of business objects in the transaction system 20 pertaining to a business partner is facilitated. Classification may be undertaken on several levels. The lowest level is the programming-language level for the labelling of classes, objects or object categories, for example a class object for an order-point. The next level in ascending order is the module level for the labelling of modules that are needed for carrying out individual tasks or processing steps, for example purchase-order processing. The next level is the application level for the labelling of applications (software programs) or supplementary components of said applications. An example of this is an order- processing system. The highest level is the business level for the labelling of objects or business transactions (business processes) such as orders, invoices, purchase orders, delivery-notes. The classification code may further contain information about a business partner, such as customers, suppliers etc. Figure 2 shows a schematic function-block diagram of a device 20 according to the invention for carrying out electronic business transactions. Reference symbol 21 designates a business-administration system (back office) of a business associate or business partner in electronic commerce, which generates arbitrary business objects, such as orders, invoices etc. An apparatus for generating an identification code UUID that is unambiguous world-wide is designated by 25. Said apparatus comprises a timer apparatus 26, a random-number generator 27, a counter apparatus 28 and an apparatus 29 for inserting a hardware- based identifer into the unambiguous identification code. The hardware-based identifier in this connection may be the address of the Ethernet card (not shown) , which is assigned to the CPU which generates the business object or provides the latter with the identification code UUID. The hardware- based identifier may alternatively or additionally be the IP address of the transaction system 20. The apparatus 24 serves to generate a classification code, which will be elucidated in detail later, for the purpose of classifying the business objects. The identification-code insertion apparatus 22 inserts the identification code UUID generated by the identification-code generation apparatus 25 and the classification code CC generated by the classification-code generation apparatus 24 into the business object generated by the business system 21, which by means of the input/output apparatus 23 is output to the computer network, preferably to the Internet. The input/output apparatus 23 may, in addition, receive business objects generated by other business associates and provided with a UUID code or CC code, which are passed on to the business system 21. An apparatus 31 for acquisition of the identification code and an apparatus 32 for acquisition of the classification code are provided therein, so that the business object received can be identified and subjected to further processing in efficient manner. The device 20 may be implemented on any suitable computing device. The mechanism for generating the identification code UUID that is unambiguous world-wide is described in the following. The apparatus 29 reads out the local Ethernet address which is assigned to the CPU which processes the business object to be labelled. This Ethernet address may, for example, have the form af-01-12-er-9d-23 and is converted into a corresponding binary string. The timer apparatus 26 registers the local time of day, for example on a hundredths-of-a-second basis, e.g. 12:30 hrs, 10.10 seconds, and converts this clock-time into a consecutive number (in the example given here, 4501010) and appends this numeric string (in binary code) to the Ethernet address. The counter apparatus 28 then generates a consecutive number which upon start-up of the transaction system 20 begins at 1 and is incremented by 1 with each generation and transmission of a business object. This consecutive number is appended to the previous code, as is a random number which is generated by the random-number generator 27. The UUID number that is generated in this way is unambiguous world-wide. In this connection the unambiguity is not only unique but unambiguous for any point in time, that is to say, this numeric combination is not generated a second time by a corresponding transaction system, either locally or world-wide. Therefore the UUID code is suitable for the unambiguous identification of an arbitrary business object world-wide, but also within an enterprise or another organisation. The classification code CC which is appended to the identification code in the data record pertaining to the business object or which can be added separately is elucidated in the following. The classification code CC serves for semantic assignment and encryption of the business object. Business objects are differentiated into the following categories: business partners such as customers (purchasers), suppliers, dealers, vendors, manufacturers or producers, products or tenders special types of product such as software, digital contents and services product catalogues purchase orders, customer purchase orders, supplier purchase orders invoices payment methods a shopping-basket as well as a shared shopping-basket which is distributed over several transaction systems or suppliers. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the classification code has 20 digits 1 to 20, to which the following meanings are assigned. It should be noted that a different number of digits and a differing assignment are, of course, also possible within the scope of the invention. Digit 1: This defines the object-type or component-type of the business object labelled by the CC . In this connection: • 1 -> signifies variables/constants for the labelling of variables, containers, storage structures, for example a memory array, • 2 -> signifies an object on the programming-language level for the labelling of classes, objects or object categories, for example a class object for an order- point, • 3 -> signifies an object on the module level for the labelling of modules that are needed for carrying out individual tasks or process steps, for example a module for checking whether invoices have been sent on time, • 4 -> signifies an object on the application level for the labelling of applications (application programs) and/or associated supplementary components, for example a contract-management program, • 5 -> signifies an object on the business level for the labelling of objects and business transactions such as orders, invoices, delivery-notes etc. Digits 2-5: These define the concrete object-type or component-type, for example purchase-order object, customer object, address object for objects on the programming- language level (first digit: 2) or order-administration system, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system etc on the application level (first digit: 4). Digits 6-10: These include a serial number for the respective object-type. Digits 11-20: These encode the business partner, whereby each business partner, world-wide for example, can be given an unambiguous number. This may be achieved, for example, via a consecutive counted measurand or, again, via an unambiguous key. The use of the classification code CC in addition to the identification code UUID fulfils a number of functions, whereby it is ensured that, world-wide, no two business objects can be generated having the same identification code. The functions are: identification of the object-type identification of the individual business object from a group of objects of the same object-type identification of the individual business object from a group of different object-types unambiguous reference of a business object to one or more other business objects (of the same type or of a different type) local or world-wide search for business objects. By virtue of the invention it is ensured that all business partners who make use of the process according to the invention for the purpose of generating an identification code for business objects generate no duplicated or clashing identification codes, without a central allocation point being required for this purpose. However, it is also possible to incorporate into the process one (or more) neutral third parties of this type, such as certification centres, in order to guarantee an additional degree of security. The neutral point may perform the function of allocating the identification code UUID, it may standardise the significance of the individual digits of the identification code UUID and/or it may serve as an archiving point 40, as indicated schematically in Figure 3. The archiving point stores the identification codes and possibly the classification codes of all the business objects that are exchanged between a number of business partners who take advantage of this archiving service. By this means an electronic copy of the business transaction is available for a fixed period of time, which can easily be traced for auditing purposes (tax office or such like) by means of the identification code UUID and the classification code CC . The present invention may be carried out on any suitable computing device like server computers, mainframes or mobile devices having the necessary components like processors, memories, interfaces, etc. List of Reference Symbols Business object Transaction system Business system Identification-code insertion apparatus Input/output apparatus Classification-code generation apparatus Identification-code generation apparatus Timer apparatus Random-number generator Counter apparatus Network-card-address insertion apparatus Identification-code acquisition apparatus Classification-code acquisition apparatus Archiving point

Claims: Claims 1. A process for labelling business objects (10) for electronic commerce (eBusiness, eCommerce) that comprises the following steps: generation of a data record pertaining to a business object to be labelled, generation of an identification code that is unambiguous world-wide, and addition of the identification code to the data record pertaining to the business object (10). 2. Process according to Claim 1, characterised in that a classification code labelling the business object is added to the identification code. 3. Process according to Claim 2, characterised in that the classification code permits labelling of the business object on various hierarchical levels, whereby the identification code labels the business object (10) unambiguously on each hierarchical level. 4. Process according to Claim 3, characterised in that the hierarchical levels comprise a programming-language level, a program-module level, an application level and a business level . 5. Process according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the classification code contains information for labelling the object-type of the business object (10) . 6. Process according to Claim 5, characterised in that the object-type may be a catalogue, a purchase order, an invoice, a product-type, a confirmation of an order, a shopping-basket or a method of payment. 7. Process according to one of Claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the classification code labels a business partner (20) pertaining to the business object (10) . 8. Process according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the identification code contains an unambiguous hardware-based identifier of the point (20) generating the business object. 9. Process according to Claim 8, characterised in that the local network-card address constitutes the unambiguous hardware-based identifier. 10. Process according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the identification code contains the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the point (20) generating the business object. 11. Process according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the identification code contains the local time of day with a precision of seconds, tenths of seconds or hundredths of seconds in the form of a consecutive number. 12. Process according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the identification code contains a serial number. 13. Process according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the identification code contains a random number. 14. A computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the process according to one of Claims 1 to 13. 15. A process for carrying out commercial transactions over a computer network, in particular over the Internet, whereby business objects (10) in the form of data records are transferred between computers that are connected over the network and an identification code that is unambiguous world-wide is assigned to each business object (10). 16. Process according to Claim 15, characterised in that a classification code labelling the business object is added to the identification code. 17. Process according to Claim 15 or 16, characterised in that the identification code contains the local network-card address of the point generating a business object by way of unambiguous hardware-based identifier. 18. Process according to one of Claims 15 to 17, characterised in that the identification codes assigned to the business objects are allocated by a central allocation point or by several regionally responsible allocation points . 19. Process according to one of Claims 15 to 18, characterised in that identification codes pertaining to business objects are stored and archived at a central storage and archiving point or at several regionally responsible storage and archiving points for a fixed length of time for auditing and verification purposes. 20. A device for carrying out electronic business transactions over a computer network, in particular over the Internet, comprising: an apparatus (21) for generating a data record pertaining to a business object (10), an apparatus (25) for generating an identification code that is unambiguous world-wide, an apparatus (22) for appending the identification code to the data record pertaining to the business object, and an apparatus (23) for sending and/or receiving data records that have been provided with the identification code . 21. Device according to Claim 20, characterised by an apparatus (24) for generating a classification code labelling the business object and for adding this classification code to the identification code. 22. Device according to Claim 21, characterised in that the classification code permits labelling of the business object on several hierarchical levels, whereby the identification code labels the business object unambiguously on each of the hierarchical levels. 23. Device according to one of Claims 20 to 22, characterised in that the apparatus (25) for generating an identification code that is unambiguous world-wide uses the local network-card address of the point generating the business object to be labelled as an integral part of the identification code. 24. Device according to one of Claims 20 to 23, characterised in that the apparatus (25) for generating an identification code that is unambiguous world-wide uses the IP address of the point generating the business object to be labelled as an integral part of the identification code. 25. Device according to one of Claims 20 to 24, characterised in that the apparatus (25) for generating an identification code that is unambiguous world-wide contains a timer apparatus (26) for generating a consecutive number labelling the local time of day and for inserting this number as an integral part of the identification code. 26. Device according to one of Claims 20 to 25, characterised in that the apparatus (25) for generating an identification code that is unambiguous world-wide contains a random-number generator (27) for generating a random number and for inserting the same as an integral part of the identification code. 27. Device according to one of Claims 20 to 26, characterised by an apparatus (31) for acquisition of an identification code identifying a business object (10) received by the receiving apparatus (23) and by an apparatus (32) for acquisition of a classification code labelling a business object (10) received by the receiving apparatus (23) .

Inventors: TIMPE UDO, TIMPE, UDO
Applicants: INTERSHOP SOFTWARE ENTWICKLUNG, TIMPE UDO, INTERSHOP SOFTWARE ENTWICKLUNGS GMBH, TIMPE, UDO
Application year: 2000
Main classification: G06F17
IPC codes: G06Q30