Ebxml: The Technical Specification
Authors: Aaron E. Walsh
Venue:  (2002)

From the Book:PrefaceYou hold in your hands the first book in the world to present all seven ebXML technical specifications in printed form, which is more than appropriate considering that Electronic Business Extensible Markup Language (ebXML) is itself a "first" in the world of electronic business. ebXML is a joint initiative of the United Nations (UN/CEFACT) and the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS). UN/CEFACT and OASIS started the ebXML initiative in the fall of 1999 with a mission to "provide an open XML-based infrastructure enabling the global use of electronic business information in an interoperable, secure and consistent manner by all parties."In May 2001, following an 18-month self-imposed deadline, the initiative publicly unveiled the seven technical specifications found in this book in addition to a number of technical reports and white papers found in the companion to this book, ebXML:The Technical Reports (Prentice Hall PTR). With barely a toe in the doorway of the new millennium, ebXML 1.0 was born, ushering in the first and only open global electronic business framework.Rooted in XML and based on open standards (such as HTTP, TCP/IP, MIME, and other open and public standards), ebXML is a landmark of technological evolution that promises to spark a revolution in electronic business. As a set of related specifications developed by more than 75 companies spanning the globe, ebXML was designed specifically for business in the Internet age. By enabling entirely digital business transactions that are modular, transport-independent, and loosely coupled by design, ebXML effectively bringsElectronic Data Interchange (EDI) to the Internet and World Wide Web.More than 2000 individuals from over 30 countries ultimately contributed to ebXML 1.0 to ensure that the standard solved the fundamental business requirements established by a wide range of participants. Although it is possible to run EDI over public networks, doing so is typically off-limits to many small and medium-sized businesses because of the high cost associated with implementation, infrastructure, and support. ebXML, on the other hand, was designed from the onset to run over public networks using open and publicly available standards, making ebXML a viable and cost-effective solution for small, medium, and large companies. Consequently, ebXML deployment costs are expected to be minimal as compared to EDI and proprietary electronic business framework alternatives.Although ebXML is relatively new, especially when compared to EDI (which has been with us for nearly 30 years), it's already proving to be a success worthy of the effort it took to develop it. As this book went to press, a variety of organizations have made strides toward embracing ebXML as a solution for Business-to-Business (B2B) electronic commerce, and many more were poised to jump headfirst into the swelling ebXML pool. The true value of ebXML as an agent of revolution will be seen downstream as new and innovative business models develop around the framework specified in this book. In the meantime, early adopters are already finding ebXML to be an exciting and cost-effective solution based on past successes with EDI and open standards. Whatever your interest, I believe that you'll find the wealth of technical information in this book invaluable as you dive into ebXML. Welcome to the future of electronic businesscome on in, the water's fine.Aaron E. Walsh