A recent announcement from the two 'global e-business standards bodies' ASC X12 and EWG describes the initiation of work to create a single set of business objects ('core components') "that are valid within the UN/EDIFACT and ASC X12 business processes. This joint initiative of the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12 and the UN/EDIFACT Working Group (EWG) is focused on single set of business objects (core components) which would be the basis for future developments with new and emerging technologies such as Extensible Markup Language (XML). The XML standards proposed by X12 and EWG will be based on ebXML recommendations. To complement this effort, ASC X12's Process Integration Task Group (PITG) is coordinating demonstrations of modeling software tools while preparing 'How to' guides to illustrate modeling methodology concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. PITG's work will build on existing frameworks within ASC X12 and EWG and help to define the business processes and modeling."

From the announcement of 2001-02-27:

Global E-Business Standards Bodies Unify EDI & XML

X12 and UN/EDIFACT Craft ebXML-compliant Core Components

ALEXANDRIA, VA. February 27, 2001.

The Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12 and the UN/EDIFACT Working Group (EWG) initiated work this month to create a single set of business objects (core components) that are valid within the UN/EDIFACT and ASC X12 business processes.

This single set of business objects (core components) would be the basis for future developments with new and emerging technologies such as Extensible Markup Language (XML).

This ASC X12 and EWG joint initiative is enhancing business-to-business communications by defining and validating a set of protocol-neutral e-business objects valid within both UN/EDIFACT and ASC X12. In addition to leveraging current company investments in EDI, this initiative will also help to extend the reach of e-business to small and midsize companies.

This joint effort will enable developing and transition economies to afford the implementation of e-business standards as well.

"We are very excited about our efforts to build next-generation e-business standards through our joint efforts with EWG, participation in ebXML, and integration of business modeling and XML into our X12 standards development process," said ASC X12 Chair David Barkley.

The ebXML initiative is a worldwide effort to develop a common framework for using XML for business messages. A critical part of the initiative combines a definition of business processes with an identification of common or core components used in most business messages. The XML standards proposed by X12 and EWG will be based on ebXML recommendations.

To complement this effort, ASC X12's Process Integration Task Group (PITG) is coordinating demonstrations of modeling software tools while preparing "How to" guides to illustrate modeling methodology concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. PITG's work will build on existing frameworks within ASC X12 and EWG and help to define the business processes and modeling.

Subcommittee elections promise continued implementation of ASC X12's goals. Mary K. Blantz of Netfish Technologies, Inc., was re-elected as the chair of the X12 Materials Management Subcommittee and Sarita Leassear of the American Petroleum Institute as the vice chair.

Gary Beatty of Washington Publishing Company was re-elected as the X12 Insurance Subcommittee chair, and David Meiser of State Farm Insurance Companies as the vice chair.

ASC X12, comprised of cross-industry representation, develops the most widely used EDI standards that interact with a multitude of e-commerce technologies and serve as the premier tool for integrating electronic applications. Through standards setting and active participation in emerging and technically relevant initiatives, ASC X12 facilitates the effective exchange of electronic information. To learn more about ASC X12, visit http://www.x12.org or call 703/548-7005.

The Data Interchange Standards Association (DISA), the accredited standards community for e-business, is home for the development of cross-industry e-business standards that provide the foundation enabling individuals and organizations to participate in global e-business. Driving an array of e-business initiatives, DISA provides technical and administrative support to its affiliates who include:

• ASC X12
• OpenTravel Alliance
• Interactive Financial eXchange Forum
• Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association
• Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization
• Open Philanthropy eXchange
• XML/EDI Group
• United Nations/Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport

To learn more about DISA, visit http://www.disa.org or call 703/548-7005.

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