[April 22, 2002] "CIDX (Chemical Industry Data eXchange) is a global trade association and standards body, whose mission is to improve the ease, speed and cost of conducting business electronically between chemical companies and their trading partners. Through the collaborative effort of over 60 chemical industry leaders, CIDX has built the XML based Chem eStandards, which define 47 business messages required by chemical companies to carry out highly secure transactions with suppliers and customers over the Internet."
Chem eStandards are "the uniform standards of data exchange developed specifically for the buying, selling and delivery of chemicals. They are based on the universally recognized 'gold standard' for electronic data exchange, eXtensible Markup Language (XML). Chem eStandards are open, platform-independent, uniform and available free of charge... Without common data exchange standards to facilitate seamless business transactions, this will be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. Chem eStandards are designed to make it faster, easier and less expensive for anyone associated with the chemical industry to implement and support value-chain integration. That is why CIDX (Chemical Industry Data eXchange), a nonprofit association of chemical companies and their supply-chain partners, is committed to helping its members and the chemical industry worldwide integrate e-business transactions by supporting common XML-based data exchange standards for buying, selling and delivering chemicals... The Chemical Industry Data eXchange (CIDX), an independent standards body for the chemical industry, is a neutral industry group that has long fostered electronic commerce..." [Web site description 2001-09]
From the CIDX technical FAQ: "A primary objective of the Chem eStandards is to meet the Chemical Industry need for a broadly accepted, XML-based data exchange standard while, at the same time, providing an opportunity for potential cross-industry convergence. The Chem eStandards project team decided the best way to do this was to leverage the work of a well-established initiative in the development of XML-based specifications, one that has specifications in active use and has strong potential to influence the evolution of XML standards. The organization selected was RosettaNet. The RosettaNet components used and applied in the Chem eStandards are the RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF) and general guidelines regarding XML message and common data dictionary design. The Chem eStandards leverage the transport, envelope and security aspects of RINF version 1.1, as defined on the RosettaNet website. RNIF was chosen as the basis for the Chem eStandards because it includes specifications to ensure the secure and reliable delivery of transaction data. Specifically, RNIF requires use of digital certificates within an HTTPS framework, which is the mechanism by which credit card and other personal information is transmitted in the Internet today..."
[September 08, 2000] A draft document specifying a 'Data-Exchange Standard for the Chemical Industry' has been prepared by BASF, Dow Chemical, and DuPont as an XML-Based 'eStandard', soon to be presented to CIDX (Chemical Industry Data Exchange). CIDX is a "recognized source for guidance on electronic commerce solutions for the chemical industry. CIDX products: its guidelines, publications, and communications, are highly relevant, timely and directly address the needs of the industry. CIDX provides a forum for the identification, evaluation and piloting of electronic commerce technologies." The draft XML specification (180 pages, including prose and DTDs), is available for download on the CIDX web site. Overview: "In an effort by BASF, Dow, and DuPont, Version 1 of the XML-based eStandard has been developed for use by the Chemical Industry for exchanging data company-to-company and company-to-marketplace. By initiating this effort, there is foreseen substantial benefit to be gained by developing and adopting data interchange standards industry wide based for all of the Chemical Industry. This view has been validated with many other Chemical Industry companies during the project. All companies believe adopting industry standards will reduce the overall cost of implementation and enable e-business gains to be more fully realized. This eStandard was developed primarily by a limited number of subject matter experts. The intent was to develop an eStandard that is freely available for broad appropriate use without royalty by all Chemical Industry participants. This Version 1.0 eStandard will be submitted to the Chemical Industry Data Exchange (CIDX) for endorsement and on-going support to ensure that this eStandard is kept current with industry needs going forward. In doing so, BASF, Dow and DuPont intend that CIDX will be the standards owner and maintenance facility for XML-based standards for the Chemical Industry. Future eStandards and enhancements to those provided in this Version 1.0 will be developed and released in future versions of this XML-based eStandard... This Version 1.0 document provides 12 business transactions that support a general business-processing model. Specifically, the initial deliverable of the eStandard document supports data interchange in the following areas: (1) Customer/Company Information: Includes data interchanges necessary to support customer/company information sharing of related data with Marketplace(s). (2) Product Catalogs: Includes data interchanges necessary to support the promoting, selling, selecting and buying of products. (3) Orders: Includes data interchanges necessary to support the transmission of data regarding orders for products and related services. (4) Envelope and Security: Includes utilizing Internet protocols to identify and protect computer-to-computer transaction data shared between business entities. The 12 business transactions provided in this document are: Qualification Request,Qualification Request Response, Request for Quote, Product Catalog Update, Customer Specific Catalog Update, Create Order, Order Response, Order Status, Order Status Inquiry, Change Order, Cancel Order, and Cancel Order Response. Each eStandard message is an XML document conforming to a specific Document Type Definition (DTD) described in this standard for the transaction being executed. The DTDs for each of these transactions is described through the standard. Where there are any discrepancies between the narrative and the DTD that describes a message, the DTD should be considered correct. The XML specification describes structured data. XML document elements may either contain other data data elements or data (or both). The approach used in this eStandard is that message elements may only contain other elements or data."
CIDX is a "recognized source for guidance on electronic commerce solutions for the chemical industry. CIDX products: its guidelines, publications, and communications, are highly relevant, timely and directly address the needs of the industry. CIDX provides a forum for the identification, evaluation and piloting of electronic commerce technologies."
"In a collaborative effort to address the lack of a generally accepted standard in the chemical industry e-marketplaces, BASF, Dow, and DuPont have worked together to jumpstart the development of an open standard for business-to-business and business-to-marketplace data exchange in the chemical industry. The intent was to proactively define a global data exchange standard by leveraging the work in other industries that have used XML. As this jumpstart effort neared completion, the group worked with other chemical industry companies, existing industry organizations, and technology providers to facilitate broad acceptance of this draft standard in the chemical industry. By delivering this draft standard, through CIDX, which is freely available for appropriate use without royalties, the chemical industry will benefit in adopting the standard as it will reduce the cost of implementation and enable e-business gains to be more fully realized. Additionally, the use of an industry standard should speed-up the implementation penetration of supplier and buyer ERP integration with marketplaces. The end result should be a higher volume of e-business data exchange in the chemical industry and by that more efficiency in the business transactions."
References:
Chem eStandards XML DTDs v2.0.2. Zip file containing all 47 DTDs. [cache]
[January 07, 2003] "Chemicals Sector Launches Cyber-Security Practices, Standards and Technology Initiative under CIDX." - "The Chemical Industry Data Exchange (CIDX) and the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Information Sharing Forum today launched the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Practices, Standards and Technology Initiative. The Practices, Standards and Technology Initiative will be implemented by a newly formed business unit within CIDX focused specifically on cyber-security. Operating in parallel to the existing XML unit with a shared support and leadership structure, the cyber-security business unit will build on CIDX's strategic mission -- to improve the ease, speed and cost of transacting business electronically between chemical companies and their trading partners. The newly created business unit will be charged with identifying immediate opportunities to improve the base level of cyber-security performance within the industry. The cyber-security business unit assumes responsibility for two elements of the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Program: establishing sector practices and standards and encouraging acceleration of improved security technology and solutions development. Consisting of 10 chemical industry trade associations representing more than 2,000 companies, the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Information Sharing Forum was created in early 2002 to implement the industry-wide cyber-security Program... Success of the Practices, Standards and Technology Initiative depends heavily on the work of member volunteers. Membership is open to all participants in the global chemicals sector value chain. Some projects currently underway include: (1) Development of cyber-security guidance documentation; (2) Development of guidance for addressing cyber-security as part of an overall site vulnerability assessment; (3) Development of process control security practices and standards; (4) Implementation of a voluntary benchmarking of industry participants' current cyber-security management practices; (5) Development of a vendor partnership program with key cyber-security solution providers; (6) Implementation of a proactive industry outreach to generate awareness, understanding and participation in this global chemicals sector initiative... The Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Program calls for leveraging collective knowledge, shared technology and practices development to enhance cyber-security throughout the chemicals sector value chain to help protect people, property, products, processes, information and information systems. The Program includes five key initiatives: fostering involvement and commitment across the sector; establishing a program to advocate the establishment of sector practices and policies; establishing voluntary sector practices and standards; establishing an information sharing network; and encouraging acceleration of improved security technology and solutions development..." See also Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Program
[October 21, 2002] "ChemConnect links to Global eXchange Services. ChemConnect Members Gain Cost-Efficient Access to Thousands of Customers and Suppliers through GXS Network. Occidental Chemical Corporation among First to Reap Benefits of GXS Connection." - "ChemConnect, Inc., a leader in helping customers optimize their purchasing and sales processes for chemicals, plastics, and related products, and Global eXchange Services, Inc. (GXS), a leader in business-to-business Internet commerce, today announced that ChemConnect Members are now successfully exchanging data through ChemConnect's connection to the GXS network. The link between ChemConnect and GXS enables ChemConnect members to exchange electronic business documents cost-effectively with thousands of customers and suppliers in multiple industries. ChemConnect Member Occidental Chemical Corporation (OxyChem) is already using the new service to exchange production documents with its trading partners. The connection between ChemConnect and GXS enables ChemConnect Members using the Chem eStandards data format based upon eXtensible Markup Language (XML) to send and receive documents with businesses that use electronic data interchange (EDI), proprietary data formats, or other versions of XML. Using the GXS network, ChemConnect Members no longer need to establish costly one-to-one connections with their customers or suppliers outside of the chemical industry. Instead, ChemConnect members may access these business partners using their single connection through the ChemConnect hub to the GXS network - where all data translation and transaction routing is performed automatically through GXS's EC Service Center... ChemConnect provides its members with back-end connectivity services based on Chem eStandards, the inventory, forecasting, and collaboration electronic messages developed by the Chemical Industry Data Exchange (CIDX), for the transfer of XML documents between enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. ChemConnect's link to GXS gives ChemConnect members new opportunities to exchange documents with downstream customers and suppliers, which use different electronic data exchange standards, including EDI... Global eXchange Services, Inc. (GXS) operates one of the largest B2B e-commerce networks in the world, with more than 100,000 trading partners. The network's 1 billion annual transactions account for $1 trillion in goods and services. With more than 35 years experience, GXS provides supply chain services and software to 60% of Fortune 500 companies..."
[August 20, 2002] "CIDX, GPA Join Forces to Promote XML Standards." - "The Chemical Industry Data Exchange (CIDX) and Gas Processors Association (GPA) announced today an agreement to collaborate on the adoption of XML-based standards within the gas processing industry and implementation of the Chem eStandards to facilitate electronic trade within and between the gas processing and chemical industries. Developed by the chemical industry, the Chem eStandards are uniform standards that use Extensible Markup Language (XML) to enable data exchange for the buying, selling and delivery of chemicals. An electronic commerce language, XML is used worldwide to define structures for data exchange among companies in all industries. Under the agreement, GPA will become an associate member of CIDX and will participate through representation on CIDX working teams. GPA representatives will also attend CIDX general membership meetings and will work directly with all GPA members to identify, define and communicate further enhancements to the Chem eStandards that meet the gas processing industry needs. 'Today's announcement represents a sound, strategic move for the gas processing industry,' said Mark F. Sutton, GPA Executive Director. 'Through the CIDX agreement, our members will be able to leverage a proven, effective XML standard, and the association will augment its efforts to build industry-specific XML standards without incurring the significant costs associated with creating and operating an independent standards body.' CIDX is a global trade association and standards body, whose mission is to improve the ease, speed and cost of conducting business electronically between chemical companies and their trading partners. Through the collaborative effort of over 80 chemical industry leaders, CIDX has built the XML based Chem eStandards, which define 52 business messages required by chemical companies to carry out highly secure transactions with suppliers and customers over the Internet. The Chemical Industry Data Exchange uses the trademarks CIDX and Chem eStandards..."
[March 21, 2002] "European Chemical Industry Supports Chem eStandards to Enhance Electronic Transactions Value. Large, Mid-sized Chemical Companies Share Business Cases to Demonstrate Economic Value of Common Data Exchange Standards at European CIDX Conference." - "Nearly 200 business and IT executives from 90 European chemical companies and their partners - distributors, logistics providers, Internet hubs/marketplaces, software vendors and consultants met in Brussels February 19 - 20, 2002 to learn more about adopting Chem eStandards, the open and free XML standard for data exchange developed by and for the chemical industry. The Chemical Industry Data eXchange (CIDX) organized and hosted the meeting. eBusiness leaders and early adopters of CIDX's Chem eStandards led case study workshops and made presentations documenting the benefits gained by large and mid-size chemical companies from electronic connectivity between trading partners' back-office systems including improved transaction efficiency and a reduction in supply chain costs... In describing the journey from business case to implementation, several speakers noted that the first connection may be a challenging process. In recommendations, speakers repeatedly highlighted further adoption of Chem eStandards, participation in CIDX working groups and the use of newly developed implementation tools as means of significantly reducing the complexity, time and costs of connecting. Speakers and attendees emphasized the need for seamless electronic business transactions across industries and agreed that standardization is a key success factor. Leaders from standards bodies for the petroleum, agrochemical, electronic and pulp and paper industries participated in a workshop focused on facilitating connectivity with trading industries. CIDX continues to work to ensure standards convergence between the chemical industry and key trading industries."
Chem eStandards Version 2.0. From the Chemical Industry Data Exchange Association (CIDX). 1363 pages. The creation of the Chem eStandards required the development of a number of conventions for the content and structures of the data models/messages that it describes. These conventions are described in detail in the following areas: (1) Message Definition, (2) Message Responses, (3) Message Structure, (4) Message Elements. Appendix D provides the Data Dictionary. DTDs are documented in the specification and are also available online. "This version of the Chem eStandards (v2.0) has been endorsed and is supported by the Chemical Industry Data Exchange (CIDX) to ensure that these standards keep pace with the needs of the chemical industry. CIDX is the owner and maintenance facility for these XML-based standards for the chemical industry. The intent of this version of the Chem eStandards is to identify and define the most common transactions that are currently, or soon will be, conducted on-line via the Internet and enabled with Internet-based technologies. However, the transactions that are defined in this document are not meant to be considered complete. Future Chem eStandards, coupled with enhancements to those provided in this version, will be developed and released in future versions of this document. It is the responsibility of the CIDX organization, working with the various members of the chemical industry, to identify the next set of transactions that require definition, to create the necessary documentation, and to publish and support them for the chemical industry. Chem eStandards was developed by subject matter experts from various organizations within the chemical industry. The intent was to develop an XML-based data interchange standard that is freely available for broad and appropriate use, without royalty, by all chemical industry participants. The intent was also to create standards that were leveragable throughout the growing on-line chemicals trading network: manufacturers, distributors, logistics providers, financial institutions, and other on-line offerings such as Marketplaces, exchanges, and industry consortiums..." [cache]
Chem eStandards Specification Version 2.0.1. Some 47 Document Type Definitions (DTDs) are provided in the CIDX 2.0.1 distribution, along with the data dictionary and main documentation. These include DTDs relating to: Customer: (Qualification Request v2.0.1, Qualification Response v2.0.1); Catalog and RFQ: (Customer Specific Catalog Update v2.0.1, Product Catalog Update v2.0.1, Request for Quote v2.0.1); Purchase Order: (Order Cancel v2.0.1, Order Cancel Response v2.0.1, Order Change v2.0.1, Order Create v2.0.1, Order Response v2.0.1, Order Status Request v2.0.1, Order Status Response v2.0.1); Logistics: (Carrier Weights v2.0.1, Freight Bill v2.0.1, Load Tender Motor v2.0.1, Load Tender Ocean v2.0.1, Load Tender Rail v2.0.1, Load Tender Response v2.0.1, Shipment Status v2.0.1, Ship Notice v2.0.1); Financials: (Invoice v2.0.1, Payment v2.0.1, Payment Detail v2.0.1, Payment Response v2.0.1); Forecasting: (Delivery Receipt v2.0.1, Delivery Receipt Response v2.0.1, Demand Forecast v2.0.1, Demand Forecast Response v2.0.1, Demand Plan v2.0.1, Demand Plan Response v2.0.1, Inventory Actual Usage v2.0.1, Inventory Actual Usage Response v2.0.1, Replenishment Proposal Cancel v2.0.1, Replenishment Proposal Change v2.0.1, Replenishment Proposal Request v2.0.1, Replenishment Proposal Response v2.0.1, Supply Plan v2.0.1, Supply Plan Response v2.0.1); Exchange Interactions: (Posting Accept v2.0.1, Posting Accept Response v2.0.1, Posting Cancel v2.0.1, Posting Cancel Response v2.0.1, Posting Change v2.0.1, Posting Create v2.0.1, Posting Response v2.0.1, Posting Status Request v2.0.1, Posting Status Reponse v2.0.1).
[November 30, 2001] "Pushed Off The Fence. Prodded by Intel to replace EDI, Air Products becomes XML Activist." By Mike Koller. In InternetWeek (November 26, 2001), pages 1, 50. "Pressured to adopt XML by Intel, one of its biggest customers, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. quickly morphed from fence-sitter to evangelist. Now the company plans to deploy XML for transactions with its top 50 customers by the end of 2002. Intel wanted the $5.5 billion maker of industrial gases to certify the purity of gas cylinders used to clean wafer chips in its manufacturing process, and it wanted the documents in a format that could easily accept Intel's changes to specifications. Air Products, a large Microsoft shop, chose the software developer's BizTalk Server to format those documents in XML and transmit them over the Internet. It was able to begin conducting XML transactions in just six weeks, at a cost of under $1 million. That speed was a critical factor in retaining Intel's business. Now, Air Products has set its sights on managing transactions with nearly two dozen customers -- including Dow Chemical and BASF -- through the Elemica chemical industry exchange and its ChemXML implementation. It will connect another two dozen or so customers through a combination of exchanges and point-to-point connections similar to those it has with Intel. Because XML runs over the Internet or an e-marketplace, it eliminates fees to EDI value-added network providers. It's also easier to use and more flexible, so it requires less investment in systems maintenance. The lower cost, in turn, translates into easier and more voluminous connections with suppliers, and therefore the ability to conduct more transactions electronically. Air Products' partners are bullish about transacting business with XML. Intel pushed Air Products toward XML after increasing the amount of data required in its documentation. EDI, the existing communications mechanism between the two companies, couldn't easily accommodate the changes, explained Dave Beltz, manager of B2B integration at Air Products... In response, Air Products implemented BizTalk Server, which costs $25,000 for an enterprise edition. Though Air Products wouldn't provide precise cost figures, an XML conversion effort of this nature typically carries many costs besides the software license, said Forrester Research analyst Chris Dial. They include building adapters to connect systems to BizTalk, which often means hiring systems integrators for custom development. Today, the process works like this: When a gas cylinder is filled, an Air Products technician tests a sample of the gas. Results of the test are stored in a mainframe application, prompting creation of a 'certificate of analysis' that's sent via FTP to BizTalk, running on two load-balanced Windows 2000 servers. BizTalk converts the document to XML, and a copy is stored in Air Products' SQL Server 2000 database. The document is then delivered to Intel over the Net. From January through November, Air Products has shipped more than 15,000 cylinders to Intel, with the certificates of analysis delivered by XML. Based on how well this process works, Air Products believes it can tap a mother lode of opportunity by conducting XML transactions via Elemica. Air Products and other Elemica participants aim to deliver XML purchase orders, invoices and shipping documents. The larger goal is to use Elemica as the conduit to link ERP systems. In the case of Dow, the chemical company buys a large number of products from Air Products, including raw materials used in its urethanes. In a Dow-Air Products connection, Dow will enter an order in its ERP system, and it will flow from there, via XML, to Elemica and then to Air Products. Air Products will then respond with an order acceptance, advance shipping notice and electronic invoice using ChemXML... Dow believes that handling orders in this way could ultimately eliminate the need to make corrections, which currently afflicts about 10 percent of orders. By 2005, the company believes it can conduct 50 percent of its B2B transactions using XML, thereby saving 20 percent of the cost of managing the transactions. Air Products' XML effort demonstrates that some companies are ready to make the leap from EDI. EDI lacks the flexibility to easily enter new data elements, because doing so requires a standards committee to reach agreement on such changes, said Giga Group analyst Ken Vollmer..." See also (1) "Microsoft Prepares CIDX Software Development Kit"; (2) Air Products Case Study.
[September 14, 2001] "Microsoft Integration Software Targets Chemical Industry." By Renee Boucher Ferguson. In eWEEK (September 12, 2001). "Microsoft Corp. this week introduced a BizTalk business-to-business integration software development kit for the chemical industry. The Microsoft BizTalk Server 2000 CIDX Software Development Kit, which was rolled out at the Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society conference in Houston, is designed to help chemical companies rapidly integrate applications, platforms and business processes inside and outside their firewalls. The SDK uses the core XML (Extensible Markup Language) protocols developed by the Chemical Industry Data Exchange, a consortium of chemical industry leaders. The software provides XSLT (Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformation) mapping documents that allow customers to map data from CIDX transactions to SAP AG intermediate documents, which are used in application linking and embedding. To help users along in the process, the CIDX kit also includes a sample utility that demonstrates an approach for automating the configuration of BizTalk, as well as a tutorial explaining how to implement support for a CIDX OrderCreate transaction. BizTalk is part of Microsoft's .Net platform, which supports creation of services that run on Web sites. While the chemical industry has been slow to adopt Microsoft technology as an e-business software provider and CIDX as a standard, Christopher McCormick believes it is only a matter of time before CIDX becomes the starting point for all e-business transactions in the industry... McCormick [CEO of IndigoB2B.com Inc.] estimated that about 20 percent of chemicals industry businesses use CIDX... The CIDX Chem eStandards grew out of some broad standards developed for high-tech manufacturing by RosettaNet, a multi-industry consortium of which Microsoft is a founding member..."
[Draft] Data-Exchange Standard for the Chemical Industry. 'ESTANDARD'. Version 1, August 2000. This 'Draft Data-Exchange Standard' document provides 12 business transactions that support a general business-processing model from Qualification to a Marketplace through the Ordering process. See also the DTDs. [cache document, cache DTDs]
DTD Examples: Cancel Response DTD [cache]; Qualification Request DTD [cache]; Qualification Response DTD [cache]; Customer Specific Catalog Update [cache].
[June 21, 2001] "CIDX and PIDX to Partner in Developing XML Standards for the Petroleum and Chemical Industries." - "The Chemical Industry Data Exchange (CIDX) and the American Petroleum Institute's Petroleum Industry Data Exchange (PIDX) have announced plans to cooperate in the development and support of standards for XML-based electronic business transactions within and between their global industries. With combined annual sales of more than $2 trillion, the chemical and petroleum industries represent an enormous potential market for business-to-business transactions. XML (eXtensible Mark-up Language) is a robust electronic commerce language that is being widely used worldwide to define structures for data exchange among companies in all industries. XML is straightforward and easy to learn, use and read... PIDX initially will explore adopting Chem eStandards, the body of XML-based standards jointly developed by nearly 60 chemical industry participants over the last 12 months. 'Chem eStandards provides an excellent potential starting point for PIDX development,' said Kendra Martin, executive director of API's PIDX. 'Building on the work of CIDX would allow us to rapidly meet the emerging needs of the oil and natural gas industry,' Martin said. The two organizations, CIDX and PIDX, will explore cooperation in several additional areas of mutual interest, including development and enhancement of standards to meet the needs of their respective industries, using a common set of guidelines and design rules, and participation in cross-industry standards groups involved in continuing the ebXML efforts (OASIS and UN/CEFACT). CIDX and PIDX also will host joint industry sessions on XML at the annual American Petroleum Institute E-Business Conference to be held October 15-16 in Denver, Colorado... CIDX, founded in 1985, is a non-profit trade association whose mission is to improve the ease, speed and cost of conducting business electronically between chemical companies and their trading partners. CIDX manages the development and maintenance of electronic standards for the chemical industry and uses the trademarks CIDX and Chem eStandards. PIDX, API's Electronic Commerce Committee, the Petroleum Industry Data Exchange (PIDX), was formed in 1987 to develop and promote the implementation of electronic standards for the oil and natural gas industry."
[May 29, 2001] "CIDX: The Recipe For Success?" [By Patricia Simmons.] 2001-05-29. CIDX Executive Director Patricia Simmons talks about the development of an XML standard for the chemical industry. "'In an incredibly short period of time, the chemical industry had come together in the Chem eStandards Initiative, and through the voluntary efforts of over 70 people from more than 20 companies, they developed a robust body of standards that were tested and already in use. An effort that started with 3 companies in mid 2000 has grown to a widely recognized standard body supported by over 50 industry leaders and suppliers in less than 9 months' ... With reports like the one published recently by AMR, suggesting that CIDX is ahead of other organizations currently working on XML-standards, Simmons and her team could be forgiven for resting on their laurels. However, CIDX is acutely aware of its competition from organizations fighting to develop standards for other industries and, while seeing this as a challenge, also believes it is something both sides can benefit from, if only they work together... So, now the standards have begun to be implemented and the chemical companies are beginning to embrace the new initiatives, what challenges lie ahead for CIDX? Is the organization simply on the road to success with the whole industry behind them, or has the work only just begun? Optimistic as ever, Simmons believes there is always more to be done and has already started work on her follow-up plan of action. 'We are focused on continued development, enhancement and support of the standards to meet the needs of their industry.' Simmons said. 'Looking forward, there are a number of issues on the horizon. The move from DTDs to schemas is a key issue that needs to be addressed, and is on the slate for likely release in early 2002. We are also adding forums for shared learnings, implementation support materials, proactive leadership for standards convergence with key trading industries for chemicals and participation in cross-industry standards initiatives - all to keep pace with the demands of the industry.' According to CIDX, Data Type Definitions, otherwise known as DTDs, provide the rules that govern the acceptable structure, content and semantics of a specific XML-based document. XML Schemas are similar to DTDs in conceptual approach, but are more advanced... 'For the next 18-24 months,' Simmons said, 'our focus is on realization of transaction efficiency across the chemical industry supply chain. Our number one objective is ensuring Chem eStandards are the standards for XML trading in the chemical industry. To support this, we also need to lead convergence of XML standards for chemical transactions with key trading industries and serve as the voice of the industry to represent chemical industry needs and business processes in development of cross-industry standards. CIDX must be a Center of Excellence for continued development, enhancement and support for XML standards to meet the rapidly evolving electronic business needs of the chemical industry.'..."
[May 23, 2001] "CIDX Releases Chem eStandards Version 2.0.1." - "This sub-release is a part of our continuing effort to enhance and further develop XML-based standards to improve the ease, speed and cost effectiveness of conducting business electronically between chemical companies and their trading partners" said Patricia Simmons, Executive Director of CIDX. 'The constant flow of requests for additions and enhancements to support the industry's growth in XML-transactions is amazing! A number of firms, including two of the leading chemical marketplaces, will begin conducting electronic business transactions using the Chem eStandards version 2.0.1 in the second quarter of 2001.' CIDX also announced that it plans to publish a version 3.0 in the fall, which will feature five additional XML-based messages including, certificate of analysis, invoice response, shipment status request, price availability request and price availability response, to meet the evolving industry needs as companies connect."
[January 29, 2001] "Chem eStandards Initiative Completes Its Mission: CIDX Poised to Support Ongoing Efforts." - "Beth Hough, interim executive director of the Chemical Industry Data Exchange (CIDX), announced today that the second phase of the Chem eStandards initiative is complete. Begun in July 2000, the initiative was jump-started by BASF, The Dow Chemical Company and DuPont to develop a broad set of nonproprietary, Extensible Markup Language (XML) standards to facilitate business-to-business data exchange across the chemical industry worldwide. The initiative's second phase focused on logistics, invoicing, forecasting, exchange and multinational interactions. As a result of efforts during Phases 1 and 2, over 700 data elements have been defined and 47 new transactions can be conducted using the standards. More than 1,000 pages of standards documentation containing technical and implementation information have been created. Now ready for use, the standards are the result of active contribution by numerous chemical companies and their partners. Additional companies contributing to the project include chemical industry leaders - Air Products, BP, Celanese, Eastman Chemical Company, Occidental Chemical Corporation, Rohm and Haas, Shell and Solutia; chemical marketplaces - CheMatch, ChemConnect, ElastomerSolutions, Elemica and Envera; and service and solution providers - Accenture (formerly known as Andersen Consulting), Bulknet, JP Morgan Treasury Services, Citigroup, Crossworlds Software, Inc., EC Outlook, Extricity, Inc., OneChem Ltd., Transentric, webMethods, Inc. and XMLSolutions Corporation. As of Jan. 22, 2001, other companies that have registered their support and encouragement of the use of these standards are: Arch Chemicals, Inc., Ashland Distribution Company, Atofina, Bayer Corporation, ChemUnity, Clariant International Ltd., ExxonMobil Chemical, The Lubrizol Corporation, NOVA Chemicals, and Rhodia Inc. Vendor-neutral and available free of charge to all chemical industry members, the standards will continue to be enhanced in the future. Recently, CIDX expanded its mission to become the chemical industry's standards body. To fulfill its new role, the group has restructured its organization to include three full-time, on-loan positions and volunteer working committees. The Chem eStandards initiative is a multicompany-funded undertaking dedicated to the development and promotion of nonproprietary, XML-based standards for conducting global e-business in the chemical industry. Participating and contributing to this initiative are leading chemical companies, chemical marketplaces and service providers."
[May 21, 2001] "Bayer Corporation Adds XML Capability to List Of Ebusiness Options For Polymers And Chemicals Customers." - "Bayer Corporation announced 2001-05-09 that it has expanded the list of eBusiness options available to customers of the company's polymers and chemicals businesses to include eXtensible Mark-up Language (XML) transmissions for receiving and processing customer purchase orders. XML capabilities offer numerous benefits to Bayer and its customers, according to Bill Gaughan, Vice President, eBusiness and Information Technology for Bayer's Polymers and Chemicals Divisions. First, it responds to the needs of customers that want to establish a direct business-to-business link to Bayer. Second, XML capability enables Bayer to integrate its supply chain systems with its customers' order data. Third, customers utilizing the XML capability will still have access to all of the customizable functions of the BayerONE online eBusiness tool, such as order history, shipment track and trace and product safety data. BayerONE is an online, private exchange that customers access via the Internet at www.bayerone.com to access and manage their accounts with Bayer's polymers and chemicals businesses. 'The addition of XML capability to receive and process purchase orders enhances our flagship BayerONE eBusiness tool, and it enables Bayer to further streamline customers' business with our coatings and colorants, industrial chemicals, plastics, polyurethanes and rubber businesses,' said Gaughan. As a supporting member of the Chemical Industry Data Exchange (CIDX), Bayer established its XML standards in accordance with the CIDX standards and will follow those standards as it adds new XML offerings... Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Bayer Corporation had sales of $10.1 billion in 2000 and is one of Fortune magazine's Most Admired Companies. The company employs 23,200 people. It is a member of the worldwide Bayer Group, a $29 billion international health care and chemicals group based in Leverkusen, Germany."
[December 4, 2000] "CIDX Votes to Host Global XML-based Standards for E-Commerce in the Chemical Industry." - "An overwhelming majority of CIDX (Chemical Industry Data Exchange) members have voted to expand their mission and ratify new by-laws, to transform into an independent standards body for the chemical industry by early February 2001. According to Kathi Neal, CIDX board of directors chair, this transition is only logical. CIDX is restructuring its organization to include three full-time on-loan positions - an executive director, a standards director and a chief standards architect - and new volunteer working committees supported by expanded contract secretariat services. As an independent standards body, CIDX will be responsible for the new Chem eStandards created by a number of leaders in the industry, including BASF, BP, DuPont, The Dow Chemical Company, Eastman Chemical Company, Rohm and Haas and Shell, as well as a number of well-known chemical marketplaces and service providers. In assuming responsibility for these standards, CIDX has agreed to post and maintain the standards on its Web site after their finalization in January 2001. The group also will assume responsibility for further developing the standards and promoting their usage throughout the chemical industry worldwide. 'The new Chem eStandards are a single set of global XML-based standards that are designed to reduce implementation cost, cycle time and complexity of trading partner connections for the chemical industry,' added Ken Hutcheson, CIDX standards director. 'As such, they will be of great value to the companies that utilize them.' While the adoption of the Chem eStandards is voluntary, their usage is expected to be extensive since they are vendor-neutral, free of charge and easily applicable to several business models. Phase I of the Chem eStandards is currently posted on the CIDX Web site at www.cidx.org. Information on joining CIDX also is available at this site. Phase II of the Chem eStandards, including implementation guides, is scheduled for publication in January 2001. The Chem eStandards Initiative is a self-funded undertaking dedicated to the development and promotion of non-proprietary XML-based standards for conducting global e-business in the chemical industry. Participating and contributing to this initiative are leading chemical companies, chemical marketplaces and service providers."
[November 13, 2000] "Chemical Industry Leaders Working Together to Establish Global XML Standards." - "A major industry movement to establish eXtensible Mark-up Language (XML) standards for conducting Internet-based business by chemical companies and their trading partners is bringing together many of the leaders in this industry. Moving quickly, the Chemical eStandards initiative, which began in July, has already entered its second phase of development. Whether chemical companies are trading directly with one another or through a common marketplace, domestically or internationally, the Chemical eStandards are being designed to facilitate electronic buying, selling and delivery of products across the industry. As such, they are intended to be easily applicable to many different business models. Being developed in an open process, the Chemical eStandards are vendor-neutral and are expected to be available free of charge to all industry participants who want to use them. Once tested, the intent is for these standards to be available through Chemical Industry Data Exchange (CIDX). The association's members are voting soon to decide whether to formally take on the eStandards development process, but if the decision is not to proceed another nonprofit association venue will be used."
[September 12, 2000] "E-Standards for Global Data Interchange Proposed for Chemical Industry. Joint Press Release from BASF, Dow and DuPont." - "To facilitate generally accepted standards in the chemical industry and to realize the inherent benefits of standardization, BASF, Dow and DuPont have been working to develop open, non-proprietary e-standards for company-to-company, company-to-marketplace and marketplace-to-marketplace data exchange. The result of this effort is a broad set of Extensible Markup Language (XML) standards that is capable of supporting many different business models. The first phase of this effort focused on the development of e-standards to support order, catalog and customer information. These standards were presented to the Chemical Industry Data Exchange (CIDX) yesterday [2000-09-11] for review and development of a more formalized plan. Phase two is characterized by a focus on logistics, multinational, invoicing, forecasting and exchange interactions. Additionally, participation will be expanded to include a broader range of suppliers, marketplaces and technology providers. During this phase, the intent will be for CIDX to expand its mission and transform to a robust standards association and eventually assume responsibility for ongoing maintenance, further development and support of these industry standards. 'Without a standard approach to data exchange, the industry runs the risk of creating multiple solutions that will result in e-marketplace inefficiencies for both suppliers and customers,' said David Kepler, vice president of electronic business and commerce and CIO of Dow. 'This XML standards work will serve as a foundation for a broader-based method of supporting new and evolving business-to-business (B2B) and e-marketplace activities within the chemical industry.' While the initial development of these e-standards was the result of the combined efforts of BASF, Dow and DuPont, at the same time, Envera was also developing XML standards for their business model which have been integrated into this initial set of standards. 'CIDX is excited about the body of work that has been submitted by the chemical industry suppliers, as well as Envera. We are encouraged to see the to convergence of the two efforts into a single broad-based set of global standards to benefit the entire industry,' said Kathy MacRae, board chairperson for CIDX. 'Open, non-proprietary XML standards will provide a framework for suppliers and their customers to speed implementation and reduce costs associated with B2B integration. Standards will provide a common method for the new electronic marketplaces and I/T suppliers to develop capability to serve the industry, ' added MacRae. The XML standards presented to CIDX can be found on the Internet at www.cidx.org.
[September 08, 2000] "OneChem Joins DuPont, Dow and Others to Lead Creation of XML Standards for Chemical Industry." - "OneChem, Ltd., the first operational application service provider to the chemical industry, today announced its support and collaboration for the creation of XML standards in the chemical e-business marketplace. OneChem joins Envera and major chemical producers such as BASF, Dow and DuPont, in supporting the initiatives of the Chemical Industry Data eXchange (CIDX) to coordinate XML standardization efforts in the industry. Many of OneChem's customers have been involved in developing XML schema out of necessity and welcome participation in a coordinated process. 'We have been involved in the limited development of the XML standards due to the lack of tried and true standards readily available. However, on an ongoing basis, we realize that XML standards will be an evolving process of change which will make it a challenge to effectively integrate with our partners. By working with OneChem, we hope to speed our progress toward integration, and have an impact on setting the XML standards,' said Bill Steiner, Director of Information Services, Vulcan Chemicals. 'As the landscape of e-business evolves in our industry, it will be critical for businesses to partner with technology providers that believe in and actively pursue open connectivity standards,' said Rafael Labarta, executive vice president of technology, OneChem. 'By actively establishing communication with e-business leaders in the industry and supporting standards organizations as they evolve, we guarantee that our customers can make connections to those inside and outside OneChem's domain.' Although no clear standard for XML based chemical industry transactions has had the transactional volume associated with it to be established as a clear standard, lessons learned from EDI initiatives are pushing industry players to move forward with the establishment of standards upfront. Mike Giesler, chief technology officer and executive vice president of Envera states, 'We are pleased to have OneChem join the efforts of Envera and the leading major chemical producers in supporting CIDX and the CIDXml XML standard in the chemicals and related industries. It is only with support of leaders in the eBusiness world that CIDX can successfully maintain XML standards that will ultimately benefit everyone in the industry'."
[August 22, 2000] "Envera provides CIDX with key XML data tags for industry-wide application. Chemical industry establishes e-commerce transaction data standards." - "Envera, a member-driven service providing speed and efficiency for transactions in the petroleum and chemical industry through Web-enabled technology, is leading the effort by providing its expertise to the Chemicals Industry Data eXchange (CIDX)-the industry's e-commerce monitor-in implementing XML-based solutions for the chemical e-commerce market. Envera's unique application of XML technology, based on solid chemical industry supply chain experience, allows companies to link their enterprise resource planning (ERP) data systems and communicate data seamlessly to suppliers through the Internet-thus enhancing the efficiencies of a company's supply-chain partnerships. Envera is the first company within the chemical industry to move past the trend of online exchanges and online auctions to implement a neutral and transparent facilitator of business transactions. Through Envera, companies can communicate directly in real time using standard XML documents. Envera's focus is on strategic or direct transactions and on providing complete integration with a members' back-end ERP system. Envera's contribution of intellectual property -- including XML technical specifications of complete chemical order cycle transactions -- is helping CIDX to expand its role of supporting and promoting e-commerce through electronic data interchange (EDI), to the next step of establishing industry-wide XML transaction standards called 'CIDXml'. 'Our goal is to improve the value and quality of how our industry will do business now and in the future,' said Jacques Robitaille, chairman of CIDX's XML subcommittee. 'The order cycle transactions that we have received from Envera will greatly assist our work in establishing CIDXml as the standard for firms participating in the chemical e-marketplace. These combined with other efforts will provide a significant critical mass towards establishing a true industry standard.' Envera is in the process of connecting early implementers and beta-testing its business-for-business transaction engine. . . CIDX is a group of chemical companies and their trading partners that voluntarily joined together to foster Electronic Commerce through the use of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Auto ID and related technologies. The mission of CIDX is to provide the Chemical Industry with proven, cost effective, electronic commerce solutions that either lower the cost of existing, or enable new, commercial business processes to be employed within the Chemical Industry. CIDX is open to all chemical companies, their customers and suppliers."
[September 01, 2000] "New XML Variant Targets Chemical Industry." By Renee Boucher Ferguson. In eWEEK (September 01, 2000). "...a group of three major chemical companies is working feverishly to finish development of a new strain of XML to complement forthcoming online exchanges for the chemical industry. The group, called eStandards, comprises Dow Chemical Co., DuPont and BASF Corp. It's developing a dialect of the Extensible Markup Language that, when used in a chemical exchange, will enable companies to engage in many-to-many trading transactions. Later this month, the trio will present a draft of its as-yet-unnamed XML specification to the Chemicals Industry Data Exchange, or CIDX, consortium in hopes of creating an industry standard. XML is used to describe the contents of documents on Web pages. In its first incarnation, the chemical-industry XML variant promises to standardize customer information, catalog data, order placement and security. A second phase of development, expected to be completed by year's end, will add international trade parameters, logistics, invoicing and forecasting. The pressure to get the spec developed comes from the expected fourth-quarter launch of two trading exchanges: Omnexus, which will focus on plastics, and Elemica, a chemical exchange. Founders of the former include BASF and DuPont; the latter is backed by BASF, DuPont, Dow and others. In the meantime, smaller chemical exchanges such as Envera, which was formed a year ago by Ethyl Corp. and is set to launch October 1 [2000], have announced plans to hand over their own XML specifications to the CIDX next week. Envera, which gave input to eStandards, and the other exchanges are competing not only against one another but also against trading practices prevalent in the chemical industry. The focus of current electronic trading is EDI (electronic data interchange). The danger, said The Delphi Group analyst Nathaniel Palmer, is potential infighting within the industry, which could 'easily prevent any [standards from taking off] and ensure EDI stays where it is. What they really want is their standard to be developed and everyone to use it on their trading platform,' said Palmer, in Boston."
