Covisint to Implement ebXML and Open Applications Group OAGIS Standards

Detroit, MI, USA. January 3, 2002.

Covisint announced today the adoption and implementation of the ebXML message transport layer and use of the Open Applications Group's OAGIS standards for the XML document payload as its technology strategy. A message transport layer is a set of electronic protocols that works very much like a paper envelope works to 'envelop' a message or letter. It contains information as to who sent it and directs where to deliver the document. The XML payload, in an electronic sense, is the letter inside the envelope. This approach will give Covisint the ability to exchange Internet-based messages between trading partners wrapped in a standard message framework that is being adopted globally.

Covisint's adoption of these standards allows OEMs, automotive suppliers and software providers to make critical business decisions on applications and products that also use these common standards. This will promote software and application interoperability that enhances business agility, improves communication and reduces integration costs.

"Because the ebXML set of specifications is a modular framework, industries can adopt specific modules of the standard to meet current customer and technological requirements," said Jeff Cripps, director of industry relations, Covisint. "Our customers looked to Covisint to adopt a standard message transport layer quickly and ebXML's flexibility and worldwide acceptance made it the logical choice."

"We are very pleased Covisint is utilizing OAGIS standards," said Dave Connelly, president and CEO of the Open Applications Group. "OAGI will work closely with Covisint and its partners to meet their goal of implementing common XML standards throughout their product offerings and driving the implementation of common XML standards in the automotive industry."

"Electronic interoperability between diverse companies around the world requires information to be exchanged in a shared and predictable process," said Dave Hollander, chief technology officer, Contivo, Inc and co-chair W3C XML Coordination and Schema Groups. "Covisint's selection of ebXML transport standards and OAGIS content standards provides the predictability needed to achieve interoperability today and a strong foundation for the ongoing development necessary to meet new and changing business requirements."

While this decision establishes a formal messaging protocol for Covisint, the company will continue to accept and transform messages with other messaging frameworks. However, Covisint's business model will make it more economical for its customers to use the ebXML messaging specification. Covisint's integration technology provider webMethods will facilitate the company's adoption of ebXML's messaging specification.

Covisint will also be utilizing Web services to complement its infrastructure capabilities as those technologies continue to mature. This further supports the company's open standards policy on which the exchange itself is built.

Covisint will initially only adopt the messaging services element of the ebXML specification. The company's adoption of the other elements of ebXML such as registry, business process specification, collaborative protocol profiles and agreements is dependent on those specifications maturing and customer demand for them.

At the outset, Covisint will use "off-the-shelf" XML standards for the document payload but recognizes the need to develop industry wide XML standards that are focused on the needs of the automotive industry. In addition, Covisint will work in conjunction with other associations to manage a transition plan from existing legacy specifications to the adoption of ebXML and OAGIS XML standards.

About Covisint

Covisint is a global solutions provider partnering with the automotive industry. Our focus is to improve the effectiveness of mission-critical processes such as collaborative product development, procurement and supply chain management, which will enhance our customers' product quality, cost structure and time-to-market worldwide. Covisint was founded by DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan, Renault, Commerce One and Oracle. Since its inception, PSA Peugeot Citrokn has also joined the initiative. Covisint has headquarters in Amsterdam, Tokyo and Southfield, Michigan. For more information about Covisint, visit www.covisint.com.

Contact

Dan Jankowski
Covisint
Tel: 248.827.6336
Email: djankows@covisint.com

Prepared by Robin Cover for The XML Cover Pages archive. See "Open Applications Group" and "Electronic Business XML Initiative (ebXML)."

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The XML payload, in an electronic sense, is the letter inside the envelope. This approach will give Covisint the ability to exchange Internet-based messages between trading partners wrapped in a standard message framework that is being adopted globally. Covisint's adoption of these standards allows OEMs, automotive suppliers and software providers to make critical business decisions on applications and products that also use these common standards. This will promote software and application interoperability that enhances business agility, improves communication and reduces integration costs. "Because the ebXML set of specifications is a modular framework, industries can adopt specific modules of the standard to meet current customer and technological requirements," said Jeff Cripps, director of industry relations, Covisint. "Our customers looked to Covisint to adopt a standard message transport layer quickly and ebXML's flexibility and worldwide acceptance made it the logical choice." "We are very pleased Covisint is utilizing OAGIS standards," said Dave Connelly, president and CEO of the Open Applications Group. "OAGI will work closely with Covisint and its partners to meet their goal of implementing common XML standards throughout their product offerings and driving the implementation of common XML standards in the automotive industry." "Electronic interoperability between diverse companies around the world requires information to be exchanged in a shared and predictable process," said Dave Hollander, chief technology officer, Contivo, Inc and co-chair W3C XML Coordination and Schema Groups. "Covisint's selection of ebXML transport standards and OAGIS content standards provides the predictability needed to achieve interoperability today and a strong foundation for the ongoing development necessary to meet new and changing business requirements." While this decision establishes a formal messaging protocol for Covisint, the company will continue to accept and transform messages with other messaging frameworks. However, Covisint's business model will make it more economical for its customers to use the ebXML messaging specification. Covisint's integration technology provider webMethods will facilitate the company's adoption of ebXML's messaging specification. Covisint will also be utilizing Web services to complement its infrastructure capabilities as those technologies continue to mature. This further supports the company's open standards policy on which the exchange itself is built. Covisint will initially only adopt the messaging services element of the ebXML specification. The company's adoption of the other elements of ebXML such as registry, business process specification, collaborative protocol profiles and agreements is dependent on those specifications maturing and customer demand for them. At the outset, Covisint will use "off-the-shelf" XML standards for the document payload but recognizes the need to develop industry wide XML standards that are focused on the needs of the automotive industry. In addition, Covisint will work in conjunction with other associations to manage a transition plan from existing legacy specifications to the adoption of ebXML and OAGIS XML standards. About Covisint Covisint is a global solutions provider partnering with the automotive industry. Our focus is to improve the effectiveness of mission-critical processes such as collaborative product development, procurement and supply chain management, which will enhance our customers' product quality, cost structure and time-to-market worldwide. Covisint was founded by DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan, Renault, Commerce One and Oracle. Since its inception, PSA Peugeot Citrokn has also joined the initiative. Covisint has headquarters in Amsterdam, Tokyo and Southfield, Michigan. For more information about Covisint, visit www.covisint.com. Contact Dan Jankowski Covisint Tel: 248.827.6336 Email: djankows@covisint.com Prepared by Robin Cover for The XML Cover Pages archive. See "Open Applications Group" and "Electronic Business XML Initiative (ebXML)."