A "final status" report from the Drummond Group to the Uniform Code Council announces successful interoperability testing by four vendors participating in the ebXML Interoperability and Conformance Validation Test 4Q01. bTrade, inc., Cyclone Commerce, Sterling Commerce, and Sybase have "completed all requirements and passed tests between each product demonstrating interoperability and conformance to the ebXML-MS v2.0 document; the participating vendors' products are in full compliance with the ebXML-MS v2.0 specification. The vendors underwent thorough and rigorous testing to demonstrate their ebXML software products comply to a common level of interoperability." There was one functional requirement where the testing participants agreed to extend the ebXML specification (Encryption/Confidentiality); this new functionality was developed as a joint effort of the Testing group and presented to the ebXML-MS team. The UCC-Drummond ebXML messaging pilot and subsequent tests will ensure that different e-business software offerings can seamlessly work in concert under real world conditions, eliminating costly communication obstacles and facilitating more efficient trading partner relationships. The ebXML messaging specification has grown in cross industry endorsements over past months with industry groups such as the Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail (STAR), Open Applications Group Inc., Covisint, the Global Commerce Initiative (GCI), and the Open Travel Alliance stating their support."

Test description from the Report: "The test is structured so that the early tests are simple transfer tests for small data files. This allows the participants to work out problems focusing on path issues -- firewalls, proxies -- without complicating such issues with more complex problems encountered later. The next test then builds on the success of these early tests, progressing from small data files to larger data files, adding security (signatures and encryption), requesting Acknowledgments and performing retries (Reliable Messaging). The result is a testing process, which builds from the simple to the complex, correcting problems as they arise along the way. Once problems are identified and corrected, the resultant system is fully interoperable between all participants in the test. However, since there have been changes along the way, one more final tests is required to provide assurance that previously run tests have not become invalidate. It is not necessary to repeat all tests in the testing program in this final round of tests. If a system can send large files correctly, and it can send small files with signatures, then it is not necessary to repeat simple small file tests. A dozen of the most difficult tests, covering all aspects of the testing procedure and covering all phases of the testing program (Large files, Signing, Encryption, Receipts, Signed Receipts, Combinations of these features, and Error Handling/Reliable Messaging) are selected and designated as the Final Test. The Final Test is run twice, once to make sure there are no problems and that everyone will pass -- a Dry Run, then a formal Final test."

From the announcement: "EbXML Messaging focuses on a standardized means to securely transmit B2B Internet transaction information from one party to another either directly or via intermediaries, such as e-marketplaces and exchanges. It is a key standard that enables web services, providing secure and reliable messaging for B2B communications. Interoperability in the messaging layer is critical to ensure that all ebXML components can work together seamlessly. It will also enable other vertical industry standards that have endorsed ebXML messaging to be successful within this framework. The testing is critical to the adoption of the standard and will accelerate the development and delivery of interoperable solutions to the global user community. The UCC-Drummond ebXML messaging pilot and subsequent tests will ensure that different e-business software offerings can seamlessly work in concert under real world conditions, eliminating costly communication obstacles and facilitating more efficient trading partner relationships. The ebXML messaging specification has grown in cross industry endorsements over past months with industry groups such as the Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail (STAR), Open Applications Group Inc., Covisint, the Global Commerce Initiative (GCI), and the Open Travel Alliance stating their support. The Drummond Group and the UCC announced the next round of ebXML messaging interoperability testing will be conducted in June 2002."