There is a real need for an effective, fast communication and transaction backbone to satisfy unique and growing e-business needs. Trading partners adopting RosettaNet standards will benefit from a common language and communication protocols based on Internet and XML technologies. Using the standards also will result in reduced transaction turnaround times, greater transparency in translation and integration with backend systems, reduced costs, and increased efficiency. The initiative has the support of industry heavyweights, including IBM, HP, Compaq, Dell, Lucent, 3Com, Agilent, and Cisco Systems, coupled with strong participation by solution partners such as SAP, CommerceOne, WebMethods, Vitria Technology, Andersen Consulting, and Viquity. In a nutshell, these four components encapsulate the exchange of information among trading partners.
PIPs lie at the bottom of a hierarchy headed by clusters and segments.
Clusters represent fundamental business process groups. Clusters are further broken down into segments, which represent interenterprise processes involving different types of trading partners. Segments consist of PIPs that define specific processes. For example, Cluster 3 is for order management, and it includes a Segment A that pertains to quotes and order entry. Business Dictionary, IT Dictionary, and EC Dictionary.