Overview

RosettaNet is about (1) dynamic, flexible trading networks, (2) operational efficiency, and (3) new business opportunities. RosettaNet is a non-profit consortium of more than 400 of the world's leading Information Technology (IT), Electronic Components (EC), Semiconductor Manufacturing (SM) and Solution Provider (SP) companies working to create, implement and promote open e-business process standards. RosettaNet is named after the Rosetta Stone, which, carved with the same message in three languages, led to the understanding of hieroglyphics. RosettaNet, like the Stone, is breaking language barriers and making history. By establishing a common language -- or standard processes for the electronic sharing of business information -- RosettaNet opens the lines of communication and a world of opportunities for everyone involved in the supplying and buying of today's technologies. Businesses that offer the tools and services to help implement RosettaNet processes gain exposure and business relationships. Companies that adopt RosettaNet standards engage in dynamic, flexible trading-partner relationships, reduce costs and raise productivity. End users enjoy speed and uniformity in purchasing practices." [Overview 2003-04]

From the General FAQ document

Developed with the collaboration and expertise of leading high-tech companies worldwide, RosettaNet standards offer a robust nonproprietary solution, encompassing data dictionaries, implementation framework, and XML-based business message schemas and process specifications, for e-business standardization. These standards are free to the public on the RosettaNet Web site.

RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes (PIPs) are specialized system-to-system XML-based dialogs that define business processes between trading partners. Each PIP specification includes a business document with the vocabulary, and a business process with the choreography of the message dialog. PIPs apply to the following core processes: Administration; Partner, Product and Service Review; Product Introduction; Order Management; Inventory Management; Marketing Information Management; Service and Support; and Manufacturing.

The RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF) Core Specification provides exchange protocols for quick and efficient implementation of RosettaNet standards. The RNIF specifies information exchange between trading partner servers using XML, covering the transport, routing and packaging; security; signals; and trading partner agreement.

RosettaNet dictionaries provide a common vocabulary for conducting e-business, and reduce confusion in the procurement process due to each company's uniquely defined terminology. The RosettaNet Business Dictionary designates the properties for defining business transactions between trading partners. These Business Data Entities and Fundamental Business Data Entities in PIP Message Guidelines. The RosettaNet Technical Dictionary provides properties for defining products and services.

RosettaNet Focus

The fundamental system of exchanging sounds in a human-to-human business exchange can be compared to the Internet, which enables two servers to exchange information during a server-to-server electronic business exchange. HTML/XML functions as the 'alphabet' of this electronic exchange. And, presently ECOM applications serve as the instrument by which an electronic business process is transmitted. What is missing in order to scale eBusiness are the 'dictionaries,' the 'framework,' the 'Partner Interface Processes - PIPs' and the 'eBusiness processes.' RosettaNet fills this existing gap by focusing on building a master dictionary to define properties for products, partners, and business transactions. This master dictionary, coupled with an established implementation framework (exchange protocols), is used to support the eBusiness dialog known as the Partner Interface Process or PIP. A RosettaNet PIP is an XML specification designed to align a specific business process between supply chain partners. RosettaNet PIPs create new areas of alignment within the overall IT supply-chain eBusiness processes, allowing IT supply-chain partners to scale eBusiness, and to fully leverage Ecom applications and the Internet as a business-to-business commerce tool. [RosettaNet Partner Interface Process]: The purpose of each PIP is to provide common business/data models and documents enabling system developers to implement RosettaNet eBusiness interfaces. Each includes a) XML document(s) based on Implementation Framework DTDs, specifying PIP Service(s), Transactions(s) , and Messages(s) which include dictionary Properties; b) Class and sequence diagrams in UML; c) Validation tool; and d) Implementation guide."

RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes (PIPs)

RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes (PIPs) are "specialized system-to-system XML-based dialogs [which] define business processes between trading partners. Each PIP specification includes a business document with the vocabulary, and a business process with the choreography of the message dialog. PIPs are organized into seven Clusters, or groups of core business processes, that represent the backbone of the trading network. Each Cluster is broken down into Segments -- cross-enterprise processes involving more than one type of trading partner. Within each Segment are individual PIPs. The PIP clusters are:

• Cluster 1: Partner Product and Service Review. Allows information collection, maintenance and distribution for the development of trading-partner profiles and product-information subscriptions.
• Cluster 2: Product Information. Enables distribution and periodic update of product and detailed design information, including product change notices and product technical specifications.
• Cluster 3: Order Management. Supports full order management business area from price and delivery quoting through purchase order initiation, status reporting, and management. Order invoicing, payment and discrepancy notification also managed using this Cluster of processes.
• Cluster 4: Inventory Management. Enables inventory management, including collaboration, replenishment, price protection, reporting and allocation of constrained product.
• Cluster 5: Marketing Information Management. Enables communication of marketing information, including campaign plans, lead information and design registration.
• Cluster 6: Service and Support. Provides post-sales technical support, service warranty and asset management capabilities.
• Cluster 7: Manufacturing. Enables the exchange of design, configuration, process, quality and other manufacturing floor information to support the 'Virtual Manufacturing' environment.

[Adapted from the RosettaNet website]

[February 26, 2003]   RosettaNet Software Interoperability Trials Test RNIF Connectivity Software.    RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF) connectivity software from ten vendors was tested in recent RosettaNet Software Interoperability Trials. The successful completion of the trials is expected to accelerate "mass adoption of RosettaNet Standards through reduced time and costs. The trials are part of the RosettaNet Interoperability Program, which seeks to improve software and implementation interoperability within the RosettaNet trading network through collateral, education and testing activities. During the RosettaNet Software Interoperability Trials, each of the ten participating companies was required to successfully perform a suite of thirty-six (36) test scenarios with every other participant. The scenarios were created based on extensive feedback from current users of RosettaNet, and ranged from sending and receiving generic test RosettaNet Business Messages over HTTP, to adding incremental security layers, and supporting message attachments. In the self-testing phase of the trial, participants ran tests with the RosettaNet Ready self-test kit, an application that provides a reference model and tests required to measure compliance with RNIF and RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes (PIPs)." PIPs are specialized system-to-system XML-based dialogs which define business processes between trading partners; define the document exchange choreography and the XML schemas for the individual business documents involved. RosettaNet is a subsidiary of the Uniform Code Council (UCC).

[August 05, 2002]   RosettaNet and Uniform Code Council Inc. (UCC) Announce Merger.    A merger between RosettaNet and the UCC (Uniform Code Council) has been announced by the two entities as a "strategic partnership which will advance B2B integration in the marketplace and help strengthen standards adoption across multiple industries." Under this agreement, "RosettaNet will become a subsidiary of the UCC, while continuing to operate as an entity directly with its members. The UCC currently works within 23 industries with an emphasis on retail and grocery. RosettaNet focuses on the high tech sector, and specifically companies representing electronic components, information technology and semiconductor manufacturing. The UCC's XML-based business processes align with RosettaNet's strong business process standards development and global implementation strategy. The pairing of the two organizations will accelerate strategic innovation and leadership initiatives throughout the industries serviced by each organization, resulting in rapid supply chain integration across global trading networks. The merger is aimed at strengthening the development and adoption of business-to-business (B2B) standards across the industries served by the two organizations and expanding the standards-based business opportunities for respective member companies. A primary goal of the relationship is to accelerate B2B integration via industry implementation efforts for XML standards and emerging services. By forming a common architectural environment, the two organizations will drive joint development of B2B standards supporting multiple industries, thereby increasing the speed and number of implementations across user communities, and attracting adjacent industry sectors on a worldwide basis."

Principal References

• RosettaNet Home Page
• RosettaNet Standards
• RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF)
• RosettaNet Programs
• RosettaNet PIP Directory
• RosettaNet PIP Specification Format
• RosettaNet Payment Process Initiative

General: Articles, Papers, News

• [November 24, 2008] "RosettaNet Reinstates Free Standards Access, Expands Membership Benefits. Policy Changes to Promote Standards Adoption and Membership Growth." Announcement November 24, 2008, via communication from Jon Mellor (GS1 US, for RosettaNet). "RosettaNet, a not-for-profit consortium that facilitates development of XML-driven business-process standards for global trade networks, announced it will eliminate the fee requirements for non-member companies to access its standards, beginning January 01, 2009. It also said benefits would be expanded for its members. RosettaNet standards provide a common language for transaction messaging within the global trading network, allowing users to improve the interoperability of their business processes. Companies that are not members of the consortium have paid to access each of the RosettaNet standards since subscription fees were instituted in 2007. 'The RosettaNet portfolio of standards will again be free and open,' said Clement D. Erhardt, president, RosettaNet. 'Any company can access them, regardless of whether they are a RosettaNet member. We're being responsive to the developer community as we work to spread the utility and ubiquity of these important tools. We realize making this policy change is for the good of the community and will remove this barrier to adoption and implementation.' [...] Most of RosettaNet's members reside in the electronic-component, semiconductor, telecommunication, consumer-electronic, and logistics industries, and use RosettaNet's order-to-cash and Collaborative Forecasting business-process standards to exchange product and content information with their supply-chain partners. RosettaNet standards are developed by the community for the community, facilitating supply-chain speed, efficiency and reliability, and enabling greater collaboration and improved communication between trading partners. By streamlining the exchange of business information, RosettaNet standards users can reduce costs while also realizing gains associated with inventory reduction, order-processing time, product-cycle time-tomarket, and customer satisfaction... RosettaNet, a subsidiary of GS1 US, is a not-for-profit consortium dedicated to the collaborative development and rapid deployment of open, business process standards that align processes within global trading networks. RosettaNet standards and services provide a common language for business transactions and the foundation for integrating critical processes among partners within the global supply chain. Companies that use RosettaNet's proven standards benefit from added cost-savings throughout supply chain processes, improved e-business communications with trading partners, enhanced product life cycle management capabilities, and added customer satisfaction..." [source]

• [June 24, 2004] "B2B Integration over the Internet with XML: RosettaNet Successes and Challenges." By Suresh Damodaran (Chief Technologist, RosettaNet, On loan from Sterling Commerce). Pages 188-195 (with 8 references) in Proceedings of the Thirteenth World Wide Web Conference (WWW 2004) held in New York City, May 17-22, 2004. "This paper provides an overview of RosettaNet technical standards and discusses the lessons learned from the standardization efforts, in particular, what works and what doesn't. This paper also describes the effort to increase automation of B2B software integration, and thereby to reduce cost... RosettaNet has brought standardization of business processes to the XML-based business information exchange over the Internet. The original goal of this standardization has been to reduce cost while allowing disparate trading partners to conduct electronic commerce in a mutually understood way — both syntactically and semantically. RosettaNet is continuing to further the goal of reducing the cost of implementation and execution of these business processes. As discussed in this paper, making the specification of the business processes more machine interpretable results in fewer manual hours spent in reading and interpreting RosettaNet PIPs. Increased automation further reduces errors and related costs. RosettaNet is currently working on the challenges to making the execution of the business processes more efficient. The goal of making automated B2B integration affordable and accessible to large numbers of small and medium-sized businesses is being addressed by the definition of a services framework, and by standardizing even more aspects of B2B integration..." [cache]

• [March 15, 2004] "Global eXchange Services Provides Philippines Bureau of Customs With Automated Customs Clearance Solution. RosettaNet Solution to Reduce Clearance Cycle Times and Transaction Costs." - "Global eXchange Services, Inc. today announced its selection to provide a RosettaNet-based automated customs clearance solution to the Philippines Bureau of Customs in Manila. The pilot implementation and connectivity testing are already underway, with the production system planned to go live in early 2004. The RosettaNet eCustoms Declaration Milestone Program initiative is focused on improving cycle time associated with customs clearance, including the generation and processing of shipping information required to move products through the customs process. RosettaNet's Partner Interface Process (PIP) Shipping Documentation 3B18 enables high-tech industry manufacturers, along with their freight forwarders and customs brokers, to send secure, RosettaNet Internet-based customs transactions directly to the Bureau of Customs' Automated Customs Operating System (ACOS), reducing both clearance cycle times and transaction costs. 'We are pleased to provide our customers with logistics solutions that reduce costs and improve the efficiency of global value chains. The Philippines eCustoms implementation is another example of RosettaNet solutions from Global eXchange Services that enable lower cost trading community integration for partners participating in the high-tech value chain,' said Ben Wong, Global eXchange Services' vice president of Asia-Pacific. Following a successful Malaysia implementation, the RosettaNet Philippines pilot involves movement of goods between Intel and Amkor Anam, with Exel Logistics providing freight forwarder and customs brokerage services. RosettaNet Philippines managing director Lito Zulaybar cited the progress in the RosettaNet eCustoms Program implementation as a major industry breakthrough with significant results being achieved in less than 12 months. 'The ability to facilitate trade, while reducing cycle times and costs, on both local and global levels, is a true indicator of RosettaNet's benefit to the industry,' said SY Foong, RosettaNet vice president of Asia. 'By further automating and standardizing the customs declaration process, companies will have the ability to conduct business through countless ports of entry and exit, in any country, with a single customs declaration form'..."

• [June 12, 2003] "BT, Cisco, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia and Siemens form RosettaNet Telecommunications Industry Council. Leading Global Telecommunications Suppliers and Operators Join Forces to Standardize Key E-Business Processes Using RosettaNet." - "RosettaNet, the technology industry's leading e-business standards consortium, today announced the formation of a Telecommunications Industry (TC) Council. BT, Cisco, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia and Siemens are among the first major industry players to join as founding member companies with the goal of promoting RosettaNet to streamline the exchange of information throughout the global telecommunications trading network. The TC Council, which is comprised of global network operators and equipment suppliers, will take a leadership role in driving adoption of the standard within the telecommunications industry sector and related supply chain ecosystems. Building on the past standards integration success realized by the high tech industry, the TC Council is slated to work closely with established RosettaNet Supply Chain Managing Boards to support development activities while also engaging in implementation program initiatives and deployment projects... In forming the TC Council, leaders in the telecommunications industry have acknowledged that the RosettaNet model addresses many of the business process issues facing companies today. For example, the acceleration of product lifecycles is impacting business-to-business communication between trading partners more than ever before. Adoption of RosettaNet can, in effect, build-in critical success factors by helping to streamline communications linkages between suppliers and customers, including real-time data exchanges in the areas of design, product information, forecast, order and inventory management and logistics... It is expected that RosettaNet's TC Council will grow to include additional founding member companies representing the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions over the next several months. Currently, active discussions are underway with prospective manufacturer and operators candidates, including Vodafone, one of the world's largest mobile telecommunications network companies... RosettaNet is a non-profit consortium dedicated to the collaborative development and rapid deployment of open internet-based business standards that align processes within the global technology trading networks. More than 500 companies, representing over $1 trillion in annual information technology, electronic components and semiconductor manufacturing revenues, currently participate in RosettaNet's standards development, strategy and implementation activities. Information on the consortium's worldwide activities in the Americas, Europe and Asia, and a complete list of partner companies, is available at www.rosettanet.org. RosettaNet is a subsidiary of the Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC)..."

• [June 03, 2003] "OASIS and RosettaNet Form Standards Development-to-Implementation Alliance. Consortia Collaborate to Advance E-Business Standards Across Industries." - "Industry standards consortia OASIS and RosettaNet have formalized plans for a coordinated approach to standards development and implementation that will streamline business-to-business (B2B) integration practices for global supply chain companies. The new alliance leverages the supply chain expertise of RosettaNet with the broad, interoperability focus of OASIS. 'This is a productive alignment of activities, and where practical, a convergence of our work,' emphasized Patrick Gannon, president and CEO of OASIS. 'Under this scenario, RosettaNet can leverage standards developed by OASIS, such as ebXML and the Universal Business Language (UBL), creating implementation-oriented solutions at a content level. OASIS, in turn, will look to RosettaNet for domain-specific input to ensure the applicability of universal standards within and between industries.' As a first step in putting this new agreement into practice, RosettaNet has assumed a major role in the OASIS Electronic Procurement Standardization (EPS) Technical Committee. The group provides a forum for government agencies, organizations, and companies to guide the coordinated development of global e-procurement standards. The committee is working to analyze requirements for electronic procurement processes, identify gaps, and recommend new standards as needed. 'While RosettaNet remains committed to developing business process standards required to support the complex needs of the high-technology industry, we also want to realize interoperability across all supply chains. To that end, we see tremendous value in ensuring our supply chain standards are supported by cross-industry, universally accepted standards, such those developed by OASIS,' said Jennifer Hamilton, RosettaNet CEO. RosettaNet and OASIS have established respective liaison memberships that allow representatives of each consortium to actively participate in the technical work of the other. In addition to the OASIS EPS Technical Committee, RosettaNet representatives contribute to the OASIS UBL Technical Committee. RosettaNet is also using the binary collaboration portion of ebXML BPSS, initially developed by OASIS, in its PIP specification format. Possible areas for future collaboration and cross participation are messaging services, advanced business process descriptions, constraint representation, document presentation, repository and meta data standards..."

• [May 26, 2003] "Government to Set Up ebXML-RosettaNet Link." By Kim Joon-bae. In Korea IT Times (May 20, 2003). "Two next-generation international e-commerce standards, 'ebXML' and 'RosettaNet,' will soon become interoperable, allowing the nation to take a leading role in linking the two mainstay standards on the global level. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said on May 18, 2003 that it would make concerted efforts with the Korea Institute for Electronic Commerce, an organization leading ebXML development, and RosettaNet Korea to develop an adapter used to link the two standards. The decision came after a meeting organized by RosettaNet Korea and attended by MOCIE and KIEC, and the project will become a part of the 'RosettaNet-ebXML link plan' proposed by RosettaNet. Once the adapter is completed, firms in the electronics and electrics industries using RosettaNet will be able to engage in e-commerce activities with firms poised to adopt ebXML, which is in a final development stage before commercial use. Given the fact that ebXML is a global e-commerce standard and RosettaNet has established a foothold as an industry standard at home, interoperability between the two standards will contribute significantly to boosting the nation's role in link on the global level... The ministry's decision is expected to give sense of stability to firms using RosettaNet by enabling interoperability with the fast-spreading international standard ebXML. It will also likely serve as a catalyst for adoption of ebXML in the electronics and electrics industries. The government has been providing full support for adoption of ebXML even before a commercial launch, citing its general-purpose use across a full variety of industries... 'Interoperability will not lead to immediate effects since ebXML is still in a development stage, but the decision carries significance in that the government has begun to provide support for RosettaNet, which is fast spreading into the electronics and electrics areas,' said Prof. Kim Sun-ho at Myungji University..."

• [March 06, 2003] "E-business Group Names New Tech Chief [Suresh Damodaran]." By Sandeep Junnarkar. In CNET News.com (March 06, 2003). "E-business standards group RosettaNet on Thursday announced that it has appointed a new chief technologist to lead the consortium's technical and architectural efforts. The group, which specializes in Web standards for exchanging data over the Internet using Extensible Markup Language (XML), tapped Suresh Damodaran, who will also represent the consortium in industry work groups and advise it on convergence strategies with existing and emerging open standards. RosettaNet, which was founded in 1998, recently became a subsidiary of the Uniform Code Council, which develops standards for the retail industry. RosettaNet is one of several organizations that defines XML and Web-based standards for electronic commerce applications. Others include the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards, or OASIS, along with the World Wide Web Consortium and the Web Services Interoperability Organization. Later this year, RosettaNet said it expects to make changes to its architecture to better support newer technologies, including plans to produce so-called Partner Interface Processes based on XML schema. The consortium said it would investigate different ways to exchange data using models geared to build on existing collaborative business processes. The group also hopes to create a common architecture with the UCC to ease the standards implementation across various industries..."

• [January 29, 2003] "Global eXchange Services Offers Entry-Level Internet Trading Package for Suppliers to the High-Tech Industry. GXS's Solution for RosettaNet Basics Enables Mid-Tier Companies to Integrate RosettaNet XML Transactions Affordably with Their Back-Office Systems and Key Customers." - "Global eXchange Services, Inc. (GXS) today announced that it has introduced an entry-level business-to-business integration software solution for suppliers to the high-tech industry. The package is designed to enable companies to comply affordably with the RosettaNet trading requirements of high-tech manufacturers and other industry trading partners. GXS's package for RosettaNet Basics provides mid-tier companies with the software and services needed to affordably exchange eXtensible markup language (XML) documents such as purchase orders and invoices with manufacturers and other high-tech companies that require transactions to adhere to the RosettaNet XML format. The package is created around GXS's Application Integrator data transformation software, and facilitates RosettaNet-based document exchange with up to three trading partners... Features include: (1) Support for RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF) versions 1.1 and 2.0; (2) 5 RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes (PIP), including purchase orders and advanced shipment notification (3) Automatic RosettaNet trading partner set-up; (4) Global help desk with local language support; (5) Double-byte character support [for] Asian languages... Available options for GXS solution for RosettaNet Basics includes on-site consulting and a variety of software adapters for the integration of documents into back-office systems such as accounting and enterprise resource planning (ERP). Additional information about the package can be found at www.gxs.com/rosettanetbasics..."

• [December 10, 2002] "Intel Conducts $5 Billion in RosettaNet e-Business, Web Services. e-Business Technology Provides Productivity Gains and Faster Supply Chain Throughput." - At the Beijing Intel RosettaNet Interoperability Fest, Intel Corporation "announced that it has achieved a significant e-Business milestone and that the computing industry has progressed to the third phase of e-Business, business-to-business integration. The industry first focused on establishing individual companies' web presences and selling products online. Intel has processed more than 10 percent of its revenues and supplier purchases this year using RosettaNet e-Business technology standards. Intel has transacted more than $3 billion in customer orders and $2 billion in supplier purchases on RosettaNet this year, increasing the amount of business processed by almost seven times in one year... Introduced in 1998, RosettaNet is a standard that enables electronics industry companies to conduct e-Business more efficiently and provide greater supply chain visibility. The extensible markup language-based (XML) standard enables suppliers and customers to easily automate supply chain tasks like collaborative demand forecasting, order management, shipping and receiving logistics, invoicing and payments. 'RosettaNet-enabled e-Business is a practical and robust example of web services at work across the enterprise,' said Intel Chief Information Officer Sandra Morris. 'The underlying XML-based technology is invisible to the company or person using it, but it vastly improves a company's business processes. For example, as a result of deploying RosettaNet with one of our direct materials suppliers, Intel will achieve savings this year by eliminating the auto-faxing of purchase orders and has decreased order transaction time from 24 hours to less than one hour. This translates into significant increases in operational efficiencies when multiplied across our supply chain.' Morris was speaking at the launch of the Intel RosettaNet Interoperability Fest (IOF) in Beijing, where Intel will host a three-day testing session among 28 companies operating in China. The IOF event is designed to accelerate the adoption of RosettaNet standards between IT, semiconductor and electronic component B2B trading partners in China... Intel conducts more than 30,000 RosettaNet-based transactions per month with more than 90 customers and suppliers who are based in 17 countries. More than half of Intel's RosettaNet-enabled business was conducted with companies in Asia. Intel's RosettaNet efforts play an important role in Intel's mission to be a worldwide, 100 percent e-Corporation. This five-year effort began with Intel selling products online, ramping to more than $1 billion in online sales per month within the first year. Since then, Intel has expanded this initiative, and using Web-based resources is the core way Intel operates and conducts business with its customers, suppliers and employees worldwide. The company has achieved significant operational improvements and cost savings, including improvements in sales processes, employee productivity and inventory management..." See also "Accelerating RosettaNet Implementation: Key learning from the Intel RosettaNet Interoperability Fest" (November 2001).

• [December 10, 2002] "Intel Conducts $5B in Transactions Via RosettaNet." By Tom Krazit. In InfoWorld (December 10, 2002). "Intel is forging ahead with making purchases and selling its products through the RosettaNet Internet exchange standard. More than 10 percent of its customer and supplier transactions were executed through RosettaNet in 2002, a total of about $5 billion, Intel said Tuesday. RosettaNet is a standard based on XML (Extensible Markup Language) for business-to-business e-commerce transactions within the semiconductor industry. It allows a company's suppliers and customers to electronically buy and sell products without the need to set up EDI (electronic data interchange) links or depend on paper orders, said Chris Thomas, chief strategist for Intel's solutions markets development group. By using RosettaNet, Intel can receive electronic orders from smaller suppliers that previously couldn't afford to set up EDI links, Thomas said. Over 90 companies are now trading with Intel through RosettaNet, which resulted in 10 times the number of customer orders and five times the number of supplier transactions in 2002 as compared to 2001, he said... RosettaNet reduces the time to process orders from a day for paper orders to less than an hour, Thomas said. Intel was an original member of the RosettaNet consortium, which was formed in 1998. Over the last five years the consortium has slowly grown from its first connection between Intel and Arrow Electronics, an electronic component manufacturer, to the 90 partner companies currently connected. About 30,000 transactions per month are now executed over the RosettaNet standard. Other large industry consortiums trying out similar processes include CIDX, a chemical industry consortium, and UCCnet in the retail industry, Derome said. RosettaNet is in its early stages, and the EDI standard remains the choice of most businesses for electronic transactions between suppliers and producers, Derome said. But RosettaNet is the pre-eminent standard for XML-based electronic business, he said..."

• [December 10, 2002] "Intel To Use RosettaNet Standards. Chipmaker Aims to Squeeze $500 Million Out of Its Supply Chain." By Larry Greenemeier. In InformationWeek (December 09, 2002). "Intel is doing more for E-business than simply making faster processors. The chipmaker also is a big proponent of business-to-business integration and revealed Tuesday that it will process $5 billion (10%) of its revenue and supplier purchases using RosettaNet E-business technology standards. RosettaNet is an XML-based standard introduced in 1998 that lets supply-chain partners automate IT system interactions responsible for collaborative demand forecasting, order management, shipping and receiving logistics, invoicing, and payments. Intel says its long-term goal is to squeeze as much as $500 million in annual costs out of its supply chain, although the company hasn't publicly set a deadline for this. Much of these savings will come from eliminating the use of electronic data interchange to communicate with suppliers and customers, although this could take as long as a decade, says Chris Thomas, Intel's chief Web services strategist... Intel positions RosettaNet as a favorable alternative [to EDI] because it's a standard that multiple companies can adopt, eliminating the need for individual customer interfaces. Thomas says companies are missing out on cost savings if they wait for widespread adoption of Web-services standards Soap and UDDI rather than using XML today. He noted that all 90 of Intel's trading partners in 17 countries are using RosettaNet standards. Says Thomas, 'XML is a key to getting started with Web services'..."

• [November 11, 2002] "XML Zooms Onto Government Tech Agenda." By Lia Steakley. In Wired News (November 11, 2002). "As improbable as it may seem, declining sales among U.S. automakers have clinched government support for XML standards. The American automotive slump continued in October as Ford (F), General Motors (GM) and DaimlerChrysler (DCX) all reported a 30 percent drop in sales. The federal government hopes to rescue carmakers and several other industries with the Enterprise Integration Act of 2002, signed into law last week. Rep. Jim Barcia (D-Mich.) drafted the act after reading a report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology that showed interoperability problems caused by data-quality errors within the automotive supply chain were costing the industry $1 billion a year. Seeking to cure industries' interoperability woes, protect U.S. companies' profits and shave billions of dollars off manufacturing costs, the law authorizes the director of the standards institute to harness the Internet as a tool for manufacturers. And XML could be the key technology in making that happen. 'The dream of seamless interoperability has been chased for many years,' said Ric Jackson, a director at the NIST. 'XML is the latest and one of the most successful approaches. It may be the one that leads us to the grail.' Barcia had that in mind when he drafted the bill. 'One of the reasons we pushed for this at this time is because XML can deliver the pipelines needed to transmit the three-dimensional drawings that are so crucial to product development,' said Barcia staffer Jim Turner. The law calls for $47 million to be dispensed over the next three years to standards groups to accelerate projects in progress... RosettaNet, a consortium working to create and implement industry-wide open e-commerce standards, is one of many groups hoping to get a helping of the funds. Paul Tearnen, RosettaNet vice president of standards management, said two projects currently underway -- the consortium's technical dictionary and compliance programs -- stand to benefit from the act... One of the act's goals is to allow the U.S. auto industry to keep pace with Europe and Asia, where carmakers have already embraced XML and the Internet..."

• [October 08, 2002] "Second-Generation RosettaNet." By Richard Karpinski. In InternetWeek (October 08, 2002). "Arrow Electronics -- an early backer of RosettaNet e-business standards -- is looking to drive use of the technology even deeper into its supply chain. For Arrow, one of the largest electronics distributors in the world, supply-chain connectivity is a major challenge because the company touches so many other parts of the value chain. Arrow today already supports about 1,200 'machine-to-machine' connections via electronic data interchange (EDI). For instance, about 800 accounts get manufacturer retail price requirements through EDI-based collaborative techniques, said Paul Katz, Arrow's vice president, supply-chain solutions. Beyond that, Arrow also has been committing to RosettaNet standards for several years. That industry initiative, which defines a series of tech-industry-specific XML standards to support common supply-chain transactions, has been working hard to get broad adoption of its efforts. Some big users, perhaps most notably Cisco and Intel, have been strong backers of RosettaNet. And their efforts have the potential to drive the standards down through second-tier suppliers. Arrow, while not quite on the scale of a company like Cisco, is aiming to grow its RosettaNet transactions as well. Today, according to Katz, the vendor supports almost 20 different PIPs -- or XML partner interface processes -- with about two dozen trading partners. Katz is hoping to double that number in the next year or so. Helping in this effort is Viacore, which positions itself as a RosettaNet 'business-tone' provider, the analogy being that a supply-chain customer like Arrow can tap into Viacore's 'always-on' transaction network to move RosettaNet transactions to suppliers. Indeed, Viacore's network-based approach to the supply chain solves perhaps the biggest problem faced by company's like Arrow -- simply getting enough trading partners on-line to make a networked supply chain really pay dividends... But perhaps even more importantly, Katz hopes to move Arrow and its business partners from moving 'purely informational' PIPs to newer XML interfaces that exchange more meaningful transaction data. 'RosettaNet has the capacity to cover not just information but also commercial transactions,' said Katz. 'My forecast is that we'll begin to get to those types of capabilities.' RosettaNet holds some strong advantages over EDI. While EDI transactions move to and fro in batches -- often with a significant time delay -- RosettaNet's XML transactions move via the Internet in real-time. That gives Arrow 'a real-time view' into how its business is progressing on a minute-by-minute basis. 'With EDI, there are classic latency problems,' Katz said. 'The acknowledgement process can turn from hours into days. With RosettaNet, transactions come over in a matter of minutes, exceptions can take longer, but get resolved in hours'..."

• [June 27, 2002] "BizTalk Accelerator for RosettaNet Version 2.0 Launched At the Microsoft Silicon Valley High-Tech Solutions Launch. New Version Includes Support for All Current PIPs And Improved Suite of Development, Management and Deployment Tools; Broad Adoption by Industry Leaders Including Intel and Others." - "Today at the Microsoft High-Tech Solutions launch, Microsoft Corp., one of the founding members of the RosettaNet consortium, announced the availability of the BizTalk Accelerator for RosettaNet version 2.0. Built on top of Microsoft BizTalk Server, the second version of the Accelerator for RosettaNet combines prebuilt support for all current RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes (PIPs) with an improved suite of development, management and rapid deployment tools to significantly reduce the time and resources required to build, deploy and manage RosettaNet solutions. High-tech companies can use the BizTalk Accelerator for RosettaNet to quickly and easily implement RosettaNet, which allows them to integrate applications with supply chain partners and orchestrate sophisticated, collaborative business processes. Intel Corp., a founding member of the RosettaNet consortium, and Flextronics Corp. are presenting at the conference, discussing the benefits of automating their entire supply chains via XML Web services and the BizTalk Accelerator for RosettaNet... The BizTalk Accelerator for RosettaNet is a set of tools and technical resources that enhances the functionality of BizTalk Server to significantly reduce the amount of time and resources required to build, deploy and manage RosettaNet solutions. Version 2.0 of the BizTalk Accelerator for RosettaNet includes all the functionality of the first version plus new features: (1) Full support of the RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF) versions 1.1 and 2.0. The RosettaNet consortium recently introduced version 2.0 of its RNIF. The BizTalk Accelerator for RosettaNet 2.0 supports both releases of the framework simultaneously, giving developers and IT professionals easy access to the most up-to-date framework. (2) Inclusion of all published Partner Interface Processes. The BizTalk Accelerator for RosettaNet 2.0 includes all published PIPs along with tools to rapidly and securely import and deploy new and custom PIPs from trading partners. (3) Partner Agreement Wizard for importing, deploying and testing new and customized PIPs rapidly. This wizard allows companies to import and deploy new and customized processes created by trading partners, dramatically reducing the time it takes to change, update, test or add a new process or trading partner and lowering the solution's overall cost of ownership. (4) Support for additional industry standards including Chemical Industry Data eXchange (CIDX) and Petroleum Industry Data Exchange (PIDX). The BizTalk Accelerator for RosettaNet 2.0 includes support for the chemical industry's e-chemical standards from the CIDX consortium as well as standards defined by the PIDX consortium. (5) Support for all versions and editions of Microsoft BizTalk Server. This version of the BizTalk Accelerator for RosettaNet is built on the latest versions of the Microsoft .NET Enterprise Server family, including all editions of BizTalk Server 2002..."

• [June 26, 2002] "BizTalk Accelerator for RosettaNet 2 Ships." By Renee Boucher Ferguson. In eWEEK (June 26, 2002). "Working hard to garner further industry support for RosettaNet, Microsoft Corp., with the Gartner Group, a research firm out of Boston, Mass., surveyed 18,000 suppliers to find out what some of their basic needs are in moving forward with a RosettaNet implementation. The results are wrapped into Microsoft's BizTalk Accelerator for RosettaNet 2.0, to be released tomorrow. Three main design goals emerged from the survey. It turns out suppliers are looking for speed in implementing a standards-based solution, flexibility of change management, and complete support for the standard -- in this case RosettaNet -- according to Microsoft officials. In regard to rapid deployment, Microsoft added a Wizard user interface that allows users to quickly set up new partner relationships and PIPs [partner interface processes] as defined by RosettaNet. Likewise, if a customer or partner modifies or customizes a PIP, the user can deploy the new PIP through the wizard-based UI, according to officials. For more flexible change management, a RosettaNet Console is included in the second iteration, which allows a user to manage trading partnerships, again using a Wizard-based UI. In response to the supplier's need for fuller support of the standard, Microsoft now supports each of the 77 PIPs defined by RosettaNet. It also added support for CIDX [Chemical Industry Data Exchange] and PIDX, the petroleum industry data exchange. Both industries are working hard to utilize RosettaNet in their business-to-business transactions. However, like others in the high-tech manufacturing space for which RosettaNet was originally formed, getting partners to use the XML-based business process standard proves often to be an expensive and difficult undertaking..."

• [February 26, 2002] "RosettaNet Updates Supply Chain Results." By Tom Smith. In InternetWeek (February 26, 2002). "RosettaNet, a consortium focused on developing standards for automated supply chain interactions, on Tuesday delivered a status update on its activities through the end of 2001 in several critical areas. The organization -- backed by technology giants including Intel, Cisco, and others -- said it had been able to effect 450 'partner connections' worldwide from May 2001 to the end of 2001, a result that was made more difficult due to economic conditions and companies' reluctance to pour resources into IT projects, said RosettaNet CEO Jennifer Hamilton. 'The industry has been extremely challenged, and had to struggle through smaller staffs and smaller budgets,' Hamilton said. Financial and market conditions made RosettaNet board members question whether they had too many or too aggressive 'milestones,' she said. Despite that, the organization achieved its participation milestones, as well as goals related to specific processes. In one of those critical areas-- order management -- RosettaNet electronics industry members in Japan implemented multiple Partner Interface Processes (PIPs) that are referred to as business scenarios. These companies deployed RosettaNet order management standards that address regional requirements. In another area -- product discovery/distribution -- RosettaNet DesignWin standards were used to create greater channel efficiency, automated data collection and sharing between partners, and better, faster data reporting..."

• [September 14, 2001]   RosettaNet E-Business Standards Consortium Releases Validated RNIF 2.0 Specification.    The RosettaNet Consortium has announced the completion of an "official validation for second major release of its implementation framework core specification, which provides the foundational processes and message packaging requirements for supply chain partners to conduct e-business using RosettaNet standards. Validation of version 2.0 of the RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF) provides greater impetus for companies to migrate from RNIF 1.1 to 2.0, and will help prepare them for the future release of RosettaNet products and services designed to measure their own readiness and compliance with RosettaNet standards. RosettaNet Partners who participated in the six-month RNIF 2.0 Validation Program include: IONA, Peregrine Systems, PTC, TIBCO Software, Viacore, Vitria and webMethods. RNIF provides exchange protocols for quick and efficient implementation of RosettaNet PIPs. Through the efforts of RosettaNet's Validation Partners, players active in the B2B space are assured that RNIF 2.0 has been put through its paces and is capable of addressing the implementation requirements of companies within the high technology supply chain. RNIF version 2.0 supports intermediaries such as e-marketplaces and exchanges, accommodates complex multi-document business messages, and contains additional provisions for authenticity, privacy and non-repudiation. The new implementation framework supports complex business messages; companies can now send binary documents with their XML-based RosettaNet business messages." [Full context]

• [December 20, 2001] "Intel Readies EDI Retirement." By Mitch Wagner. In InternetWeek (December 17, 2001). "Intel last week said it will replace EDI with RosettaNet standards by 2006, making it the first company to publicly commit to retiring electronic data interchange. The chip maker also said it's reached a RosettaNet milestone: By year-end, Intel will be swapping data in RosettaNet's XML formats over the Internet with 50 trading partners. Intel sees the use of RosettaNet and the Internet as superior to EDI in cost and flexibility; hence the five-year plan to phase out the legacy technology. Although some companies have been conducting EDI transactions over the Internet, newer XML technology offers several advantages. EDI exchanges data in batch mode -- meaning transactions occur at prescheduled intervals, such as daily -- whereas XML supports real-time exchanges. Moreover, RosettaNet's error-checking features -- absent in EDI -- have made its transactions three times as accurate as those in EDI, Intel said. The 50 Intel partners that will be using RosettaNet are mostly large companies that also have EDI connections. Intel's plans for 2002 call for using RosettaNet to communicate electronically with smaller suppliers as well... Intel could save as much as 2 percent of revenue, or roughly $564 million, annually by tuning its supply chain with Internet technology, estimated Vernon Keenan, founder of analyst firm Keenan Vision. That includes the move away from EDI. The savings would be realized as customers and suppliers enter their own data into Intel systems. That would eliminate the need for people to enter the data manually and for specialized networks to transfer the data. Intel would also be able to reduce sales head count as customers enter their own orders in self-service systems, and the company would save from a reduction in transactional errors... Intel customers currently online with RosettaNet include Compaq, IBM and distributor Arrow Electronics. The RosettaNet initiative is part of a big online push for Intel. The company started selling chips and subsystems over the Web in July 1998 and almost immediately ramped up to $1 billion per month in sales. Today, Intel counts both EDI and traditional Internet sales as Internet-based. That's because key EDI-related functions are performed over the Internet, including inventory management at Intel and at the customer site, as well as exchanging price and availability data, said Sandra Morris, vice president of Intel's e-business group..."

• [October 21, 2001] "Microsoft Announces General Availability Of BizTalk Server Accelerator for RosettaNet. BizTalk Server Accelerator for RosettaNet and Intel-Based Servers Support XML Standards." - "Microsoft Corp., one of the founding members of the RosettaNet consortium, today announced the general availability of its BizTalk Server Accelerator for RosettaNet. In addition, Microsoft's accelerator was used by several companies to establish RosettaNet connections with their trading partners at Intel Corp.'s RosettaNet Interoperability Fest held last month in Taiwan. Built on top of Microsoft BizTalk Server 2000, the Accelerator for RosettaNet provides the software adapters and server platform needed to rapidly implement RosettaNet solutions that will integrate applications and supply-chain partners and enable the orchestration of complex, collaborative business processes... The BizTalk Server Accelerator for RosettaNet is a set of tools and technical resources that enhances the functionality of BizTalk Server 2000 to significantly reduce the amount of time and resources required to build, deploy and manage RosettaNet solutions. The BizTalk Server Accelerator for RosettaNet includes the following: (1) RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF) 1.1 parser for BizTalk Server 2000. This allows BizTalk Server 2000 to 'speak' RosettaNet. (2) Prebuilt Partner Interface Processes (PIP). A collection of the most commonly used Partner Interface Processes prebuilt for BizTalk Server 2000 allows developers and IT professionals to quickly integrate their applications and trading partners into a RosettaNet solution. (3) PIP tools. A template-based resource for building any of the more than 80 PIPs allows developers and IT professionals to very easily build any of the PIPs they need for their RosettaNet solution. (4) PIP unit tester. This allows developers and IT professionals to easily test their RosettaNet implementations. (5) Comprehensive documentation and samples. These shorten the learning curve for developers and IT professionals building RosettaNet solutions... in Taipei, Taiwan, as part of the RosettaNet Partner Conference, Intel announced the results of its Interoperability Fest, a technology event in which 39 supply-chain trading partners and e-business solution providers successfully exchanged XML documents using RosettaNet standards. The event also demonstrated interoperability between third-party software solutions that connect businesses to their trading partners. Additional information about Intel and the Interoperability Fest is available [online]."

• [October 21, 2001] "Intel Announces Results Of 'Interoperability Fest'." - "At last month's Intel RosettaNet Interoperability Fest (IOF), 26 supply chain trading partners and 13 e-Business solution providers successfully exchanged Extensible Markup Language (XML) documents using RosettaNet e-Business standards. RosettaNet is a non-profit group developing e-Business process standards for the electronics industry. The companies at the event established 37 server-to-server connections and exchanged XML documents using the purchase order request and advanced shipment notification RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes (PIPs). These specifications define steps in the purchase order process between trading partners. Additionally, companies demonstrated interoperability between third party software solutions that connect businesses to their trading partners... Intel will share the knowledge gained from the event with the RosettaNet consortium and continue to collaborate with the organization to help broaden the adoption of e-Business standards. Key learnings from the event include: (1) A need for additional software documentation to help companies establish RosettaNet connections with their trading partners. (2) A need to further educate trading partners on how to deploy RosettaNet standards and solutions. (3) Events like the IOF help accelerate RosettaNet deployments because participants focus on the common task of testing RosettaNet solutions. (4) By attending the event, software solution providers were able to resolve customer implementation issues quickly. The majority of participating companies tested connections on Intel Architecture. Intel-based servers provide the price/performance, scalability, availability and investment protection required to meet the demands of e-Business..."

• [September 20, 2001] "RosettaNet Sets Compliance Program." By Chuck Moozakis. In InternetWeek (September 18, 2001). "RosettaNet today took the wraps off RosettaNet Ready, a package of developer tools and source code aimed at accelerating the adoption of the product definition standard. Ready has two components. The first, a developer tools library, lets companies test software to ensure it complies with RosettaNet standards. The second, a set of software compliance badges, verifies that applications written by members and other software developers conform to RosettaNet... Fourteen companies have already signed on as Ready backers, including application integration companies webMethods and SeeBeyond. Electronics industry exchange E2open is another backer. The exchange earlier this month kicked off a RosettaNet Onboarding service that incorporates RosettaNet's XML product descriptions into i2's supply chain apps. The service is geared to electronics and semiconductor manufacturers that want to use the Web to collaborate with their trading partners. RosettaNet hopes to have another 90 or so companies signed up to support the Ready initiative. Currently, RosettaNet has about 400 member companies that have pledged to adopt the standard..."

• [July 16, 2001] RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF). The RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF) provides exchange protocols for quick and efficient implementation of PIPs. See the RNIF Specification Version 02.00.00. The .ZIP file distribution includes the RNIF Specification, three Headers (Preamble, Delivery, Service Header) and two Business Signals (Receipt Acknowledgement and Exception). See the documentation in HTML format for details. [cache]

• [June 19, 2001]   RosettaNet Joins Business Internet Consortium to Promote XML Standards Convergence.    The Business Internet Consortium recently announced that RosettaNet has joined the Consortium in order "to help drive XML standard convergence activities in the industry." The Business Internet Consortium is an open-industry group formed to develop cross-industry eBusiness implementation guidelines, facilitated especially within its XML-based eBusiness Standard Convergence Workgroup. The XML working group was formed "to bring clarity by defining the generic layers and the corresponding recommended XML standards of a complete B2B, XML-based solution stack that is standardized, comprehensive, and interoperable, and to develop an implementation path." Details from the announcement: "RosettaNet's membership [in the Business Internet Consortium] pairs the efforts of these two leading eBusiness consortia to effectively promote supply chain interoperability. RosettaNet brings a substantial body of eBusiness XML standards expertise, research and results to the Business Internet Consortium's effort. RosettaNet represents more than 400 companies committed to the implementation of eBusiness process standards for the information technology, electronic components and semiconductor manufacturing industries. By joining the Business Internet Consortium, RosettaNet will share its learning with other industries looking to standardize their respective business processes. The Business Internet Consortium XML-based eBusiness Standard Convergence Workgroup is incorporating customer requirements to develop a generic XML-based standards reference stack and best practice guidelines for B2B processes, as well as a roadmap for businesses to migrate to the stack. The Workgroup expects to make recommendations to various standards bodies, such as the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and OASIS." [Full context]

• [July 24, 2001] "RosettaNet Launches Manufacturing Specification." By Mitch Wagner. In InternetWeek July 23, 2001. "Semiconductor companies in the RosettaNet consortium in June started the first use of standardized interfaces for manufacturing systems. The interfaces are designed to use XML technology to ease communications between semiconductor companies and the businesses to which they outsource the manufacturing of semiconductors. Nine semiconductor manufacturing companies, including Motorola and National Semiconductor, joined in seven pairs to communicate information to deliver snapshots of the status of individual manufacturing lots. The communications used the latest completed RosettaNet standard, known as Work-In-Process Partner Interface Process (WIP PIP) 3D8. The standard simplifies communication between semiconductor companies such as Motorola, which design and distribute semiconductors, and manufacturing companies such as Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, which handle the actual manufacture of the semiconductors on an outsourced basis. WIP PIP 3D8 standardizes formats for providing information on the status of individual lots of semiconductors, or 'boats.' Each boat has an associated lot number, and the manufacturer needs to know specific information, such as the lithography process used to etch the wafers... Previous PIPs from RosettaNet--the consortium has standardized 47--governed functionality further down the supply chain. Manufacturing is traditionally less likely to incorporate standardized processes, said RosettaNet CEO Jennifer Hamilton. 'When you're dealing with finished goods, there are standards in place such as bar coding and palette tracking, and you're building on existing automation standards and business practices,' Hamilton said. Moreover, semiconductor manufacturing companies weren't vertically integrated until five to 10 years ago. Only then did companies begin to outsource the manufacturing of semiconductors, making business processes even less standardized than in industries that grew up with outsourcing, Hamilton said."

• "Implementing an Industry e-Business Initiative: Getting to RosettaNet." By Patricia J. O'Sullivan (IT Strategy & Technology, Intel Corp.) and Don S. Whitecar (PE, IT e-Business Integration, Intel Corp.). White paper. 15 pages. "As Intel looked at the cost of its own successful earlyimplementation of Web-based e-Commerce, it became clear that an industry-wide standards-based approach to e-Business is the only way to go. We decided to help build the right business-to-business (B2B) specifications with the right industry initiative (RosettaNet is our main focus) and then implement those specifications. As early adopters, this has turned out to be much more of an enterprise readiness effort than initially appreciated. Team composition, technical and business knowledge coalescence, formal and informal communication channels, cross-enterprise visibility, and establishment of appropriate resource levels are just some of the challenges we face. We anticipate that an evolving, more robust infrastructure, together with lessons learnt from pilot projects, team experience, and more mature standards will lead to the full realization of expected benefits from RosettaNet. However, we offer here a 'readiness model' that we hope can be used by others to 'spin up' faster... Our team continually expands its understanding of what it takes to implement RosettaNet. As we complete a second-phase pilot, plan for future implementations, design the infrastructure, and expand our circle of influence, we foresee many new challenges. It is unclear when the rate of discovery of new issues and challenges will diminish. It is likely not to be until widespread trading partner/PIP implementation occurs in several years..." Also in HTML format; [cache]

• [June 27, 2001] "Infoteria Corporation Launches Asteria Platform For Rosettanet-Based Trading Networks Native XML Platform Enables Supply-Chain Automation for Companies of All Sizes. Delivers RosettaNet Basics Offering for B2B Integration with Small- and Medium-Sized Trading Partners." - "Infoteria Corporation today announced the Asteria Platform for RosettaNet, a powerful XML solution for RosettaNet supply-chain automation. The Asteria Platform is designed to accelerate and optimize the formation, expansion and management of secure RosettaNet trading networks to enable supply-chain partners of all sizes to benefit from automation of their commercial relationships. The Asteria Platform for RosettaNet consists of the Asteria Server, Asteria Planet and Asteria Components. Asteria Server delivers a complete solution for organizations looking to integrate their current operational systems, both front- and back-office, into the expanding trading community adopting RosettaNet standards. Asteria Planet offers trading partners of any size an affordable solution to connect a limited number of key trading partners. Asteria Components provide all the discrete tools necessary for specific projects in business process automation, including tools for efficient XML creation, adapters for traditional database systems and a utility to automate sending and receiving XML documents via Internet infrastructure. Platform: (1) Asteria Server for RosettaNet is a flexible enterprise solution for organizations that want to automate relationships with those supply chain partners not already automated through legacy systems. (2) Asteria Planet for RosettaNet provides a cost-effective solution for both supply chain leaders seeking to engage and automate trading partners, and for smaller organizations looking to connect to the standards-based trading community for the first time. Cost-effective automation of mid-tier and smaller trading partners has long been a major challenge in successful supply-chain management because Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and other resource-intensive supply-chain solutions are not a practical solution. (3) Asteria Components: Infoteria offers native XML components for specific projects in business process automation: The family of tools includes: iCONNECTOR, for bi-directional transfer of data from operational databases (e.g., Oracle, DB2, SQL, Notes / Domino); iXSLT, an XSLT processor to accelerate distribution of XML document information to browsers and mobile computing devices; iPEX, a high-performance XML processing engine that enables XML document integration into application development environments; iMESSENGER, for the management of XML document distribution and receipt via Internet e-mail infrastructure; and iMAKER, which automates the creation of XML documents from the familiar spreadsheet..."

• [May 08, 2001] "The Electrified Supply Chain." By Rajeev Kasturi. In Intelligent ERP (May 03, 2001). ['RosettaNet is delivering on the promise of extensible B2B integration.] "RosettaNet, a self-funded, nonprofit consortium of over 250 IT, EC, and SM businesses, has been working since 1998 to establish and implement industrywide standards for e-business. Trading partners adopting RosettaNet standards will benefit from a common language and communication protocols based on Internet and XML technologies. Using the standards also will result in reduced transaction turnaround times, greater transparency in translation and integration with backend systems, reduced costs, and increased efficiency. RosettaNet wants be the 'lingua franca of e-business... RosettaNet standards address four aspects of transactions between trading partners: business processes, data elements, communication protocols, and product/partner codification. In a nutshell, these four components encapsulate the exchange of information among trading partners. RosettaNet's Partner Interface Processes (PIPs) are elements that define business processes among supply-chain partners, such as pricing and availability requests, purchase orders, and order acknowledgements. PIPs are system-to-system, XML-based dialogs carried out based on certain specifications and guidelines. PIPs lie at the bottom of a hierarchy headed by clusters and segments. Clusters represent fundamental business process groups. Clusters are further broken down into segments, which represent interenterprise processes involving different types of trading partners. Segments consist of PIPs that define specific processes. For example, Cluster 3 is for order management, and it includes a Segment A that pertains to quotes and order entry. This segment has seven published PIPs, including 3A1 (Request Quote), 3A2 (Request Price and Availability), and 3A3 (Transfer Shopping Cart). Each PIP comes with a message guideline and XML document type definition (DTD). Dictionaries, which define data elements, come in three flavors: Business Dictionary, IT Dictionary, and EC Dictionary. Business data entities and properties are defined in the Business Dictionary, the IT Dictionary defines IT products and properties, and the EC dictionary defines components and their properties. All these elements are mapped to codification standards such as UN/SPSC. One of the fundamental requirements for meaningful data exchange and efficient information processing for products and services is commonly accepted codification standards. Fortunately, RosettaNet supports three widely accepted codification standards. The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) is maintained by Dun & Bradstreet and identifies a business and its location. The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) identifies products, and the United Nations/Standard Products and Services Code (UN/SPSC) robustly and comprehensively classifies products and services. Another fundamental requirement for meaningful data exchange and information processing is a communications protocol. The RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF) adequately covers this need for communication standards. The framework defines open exchange protocols and guidelines for communications between applications on networks. These specifications encompass various requirements such as message packing and the transfer of PIP objects between Web or browser servers; they incorporate protocols such as Common Gateway Interface (CGI), HTTP, and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). The RNIF also supports digital signatures, digital certificates, and SSL to ensure business transactions are secure..."

• [April 25, 2001] "RosettaNet Enables UDDI Universal Business Registry for Trading Partners in the High-Technology Industry. Consortium Registers Partner Interface Processes(PIPs) to Facilitate Discovery and Management of Online Relationships." - "RosettaNet today announced the registration of 83 RosettaNet business process standards within the UDDI Universal Business Registry, making RosettaNet one of the largest contributors of e-business process standards to UDDI thus far. This registration effort seeks to simplify the registration and discovery of e-business processes by and between companies using RosettaNet standards to transact business across the supply chain. An e-business registry specification serves an important function and is most commonly referred to as an electronic version of the Yellow, Green and White Pages. A universal registry structure allows companies to register the attributes of their e-business environment: who they are, how to find them and the types of electronic business relationships they can support. It is a focused way to discover partners and determine their capabilities, regardless of industry or geography. Assuming both partners are speaking the same language, they can also choose to begin a 'plug and play' e-business relationship... This announcement is among the first in a series of cross-industry XML standards initiatives from RosettaNet, the leader in global e-business process standards for the Information Technology (IT), Electronic Components (EC), and Semiconductor Manufacturing (SM) industries. A coalition of 260 plus business and technology leaders are facilitating the development and deployment of an open, Internet-based Universal Description, Discovery, and Integration (UDDI) specification. UDDI is an important building block in enabling businesses to quickly, easily and dynamically find and transact business with one another using the electronic business processes they support... RosettaNet views the UDDI initiative as a complementary enabler to RosettaNet's business process standards in the high-technology industry. Part of the information captured during the registration process includes the specific business processes and protocols supported by each participating company. By registering as a RosettaNet-capable trading partner, along with the specific RosettaNet PIP versions supported, UDDI can be used as a convenient way for companies in the IT, EC and SM supply chain to discover each other and their capabilities. RosettaNet is encouraging its partners to register with UDDI to speed connectivity between RosettaNet-enabled trading partners, lower the cost of e-business discovery and integration, and facilitate and simplify the set-up of supply chain relationships, especially with small- and mid-size trading partners..." See "Universal Description, Discovery, and Integration (UDDI)."

• [April 25, 2001] "RosettaNet to Support Messaging Services Specification Developed by ebXML Initiative. Universal Messaging Service Complements RosettaNet's Vertical e-Business Process Standards." - "RosettaNet today announced its intent to support the ebXML Messaging Service Specification for the secure transfer, routing and packaging (TRP) of electronic information. Future releases of RosettaNet's Implementation Framework (RNIF), which serves as a guide for e-business process development and implementation, will include support for the ebXML Messaging Service Specification, in an effort to achieve interoperability goals across industries. A messaging service standard typically specifies how information or an e-business transaction is physically packaged, transferred and routed securely via the Internet. As an underlying communication protocol, a single messaging service standard can be used universally, regardless of industry or geography, to transport electronic information between trading partners. This announcement is among the first in a series of cross-industry XML standards cross-industry initiatives from RosettaNet, the leader in global e-business process standards for the Information Technology (IT), Electronic Components (EC) and Semiconductor Manufacturing (SM) industries. ebXML was established by UN/CEFACT, a United Nations body tasked with facilitating international trade and developing technical solutions for electronic business. OASIS, an international not-for- profit consortium promotes the open, collaborative development of interoperability specifications based on XML. In support of convergence at the messaging service level, RosettaNet has formed an architecture team, headed by Dr. Arvola Chan, a principal architect on loan to RosettaNet by TIBCO Software Inc., a RosettaNet partner... RosettaNet has surveyed the XML-related standards space and, as a service to the industry, has developed a conceptual model that not only defines the components required for B2B business connectivity, but also enables the comparison of horizontal and vertical XML standards efforts using nine distinct layers. RosettaNet's presentation, XML Standards Components and Convergence: A RosettaNet Perspective and supporting documentation is available on its Web site." "Electronic Business XML Initiative (ebXML)."

• [April 25, 2001] "Standards Required to Support XML-Based B2B Integration. A conceptual model for understanding XML convergence." April 2001. From RosettaNet. ['White paper describing Rosettanet's conceptual model for understanding XML convergence'] "Companies across all industries are realizing the fundamental benefits of using the Internet to integrate their supply chains. The potential to reduce inventory, improve time -to-market, reduce transaction costs and conduct business with a broader network of supply chain partners has direct, measurable benefits to a company's bottom line. Because of the benefits that result from supply chain integration, companies are exploring open, XML-based standards that help remove the formidable barriers associated with developing a common business language and process methodology for Internet-based collaboration, communication and commerce. Many private companies and industry organizations today are proposing a wide array of standards for creating this common e-business language -- so many, in fact, that it is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate among the multitude of vertical and horizontal industry standards. There is currently no way of easily identifying the e-business standards challenge each standards organization strives to resolve. Perhaps more important, there is no mechanism for standards bodies to identify where their efforts may be duplicative and where they may be complementary. RosettaNet, an industry consortium and standards organization representing the needs of the Information Technology (IT), Electronic Components (EC), and Semiconductor Manufacturing (SM) industries, has surveyed the XML-related standards space and, as a service to the industry, has developed a conceptual model that enables the comparison of horizontal (universal) and vertical (supply chain- or business model-specific ) XML standards efforts. Using a model that identifies nine distinct components required to provide a total e-business process, RosettaNet's goal is to bring clarity to various industry efforts. It is possible to identify efforts that are complementary as well as areas where possible overlap -- and thus convergence opportunities exist. The conceptual model was developed with the input from many industry and technology organizations and respected thought leaders. RosettaNet acknowledges that there may be differing views or alternative perspectives to the model...Supply chain integration requires both horizontal and vertical XML standards in order to support both business process complexity as well as interoperability goals between supply chains. RosettaNet has developed a conceptual model for identifying the components of business process that allows for the direct comparison of all XML-based standards. Although many XML standards initiatives are complementary, the sheer number of standards initiatives has created confusion among end users. RosettaNet will continue to play a role in several components of the e-business process, but expects to converge efforts with other horizontal standards organizations." [source]

• [April 24, 2001] "XML Standards Components and Convergence: A RosettaNet Perspective." From RosettaNet. April 24, 2001. PowerPoint Presentation (35 slides). ['A RosettaNet industry perspective on both horizontal and vertical XML initiatives, including standards components and convergence.'] "RosettaNet has provided an industry perspective on both horizontal and vertical XML initiatives, including standards components and convergence. In its continuing leadership role, RosettaNet has attempted to clearly define the current state of e-business standards development and provide a context for the various industry efforts underway. Although many of the XML initiatives today are complementary, the sheer number of XML standards efforts is leading to confusion among implementers and key decision makers alike. To provide a clearer understanding in the industry, RosettaNet has developed a conceptual model for defining the layers of XML standards required to support B2B integration between trading partners across supply chains. To strengthen RosettaNet's perspective, the conceptual model was developed using input from a diverse group of respected business and technology leaders, both inside and outside the RosettaNet community. In support of its ongoing convergence goals, RosettaNet has also highlighted a number of horizontal XML standards and identified the specific layers that the respective standards efforts are focused on. Using the conceptual model and snapshot of various XML initiatives, it becomes easier to identify efforts that are complementary as well as areas where possible overlap -- and thus convergence opportunities - exist." [source]

• [April 17, 2001] "Group Maps RosettaNet to Supply-Chain Process." By Marc L. Songini. In InfoWorld (April 17, 2001). "Intel and Siemens are spearheading a fledgling initiative to marry XML to a complex set of supply-chain business procedures to streamline e-commerce transactions. The companies are taking RosettaNet, the electronics industry's XML-based language, and aligning it to the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model, aiming to create reusable, intricate procedures based on standard supply-chain practices. They are currently working on a pilot project that will serve as proof-of-concept for the initiative, though no specific time frame has been established. SCOR is the industry standard set of procedures defined by the Supply-Chain Council in Pittsburgh, which has 800 members, many of them large manufacturers, including Intel and Siemens. It offers best practices procedures for a wide variety of supply-chain activities, including the planning, sourcing and delivery of goods, spanning from the supplier to the manufacturer to the end customer. The council's board hopes the RosettaNet-to-SCOR initiative, if successful, will serve as a 'frame of reference' that other industry groups, such as those serving the chemical or automotive industries, can use in the future, said Scott Stephens, the Supply-Chain Council's chief technology officer. It's unclear how many council members have implemented SCOR procedures, but at least 100 have documented installations, said Stephens. The initiative relies on tying specific SCOR procedures to RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes, which handle multiple data transactions among partners. Advocates claim that this will let RosettaNet handle new, sophisticated supply-chain processes and will result in new collaboration capabilities. For instance, SCOR and RosettaNet could be aligned for things such as handling purchase orders or scheduling product deliveries, and they could take into account things as varied as different business methods and network protocol requirements. The initiative targets RosettaNet because of its importance to Intel and Siemens, but the companies intend to broaden its purview later, said George Brown, a council board member and senior staff architect for worldwide IT at Intel in Chandler, Ariz. 'The approach is independent. . . . We plan to map to [other XML standards] and are looking for a close alignment with ebXML,' a proposed specification for an electronic-business framework, he said..." References: (1) Supply Chain Council; (2) SCOR FAQ document.

• [March 07, 2001] "BEA Ships BEA WebLogic Collaborate for RosettaNet. Additional Protocol Support Helps Companies Rapidly Automate Trading Partner Networks and Achieve Operational Efficiencies." - "BEA Systems, Inc., one of the world's leading e-business infrastructure software companies, today announced that its BEA WebLogic Collaborate business-to-business (B2B) platform now supports RosettaNet, an open process and message framework designed to standardize business operations between trading partners. BEA WebLogic Collaborate for RosettaNet helps allow companies to rapidly build or participate in RosettaNet-based trading exchanges to bring products to market more quickly, increase operational efficiencies and achieve cost savings. BEA WebLogic Collaborate for RosettaNet comes with packaged solutions to help companies build RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes (PIPs) for the RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF). This capability reduces B2B integration complexities by providing baseline rules and standard message formats for trading partner interaction... Real-world e-business is complex - involving frequently changing internal and partner business processes, multiple streams of interdependent activities, diverse interface applications and interface formats, and hosts of business decision-makers. With BEA WebLogic Collaborate for RosettaNet, companies have a single, comprehensive platform for seamlessly interweaving enterprise and collaborative processes, programs and people. With BEA WebLogic Process Integrator - BEA's powerful, award-winning J2EE process engine - at its core, BEA WebLogic Collaborate for RosettaNet supports the rapid development of new PIPs to accommodate additional or customized B2B processes. In addition, using a graphical modeling environment, business users can design intra- and inter-company business flows to invoke legacy applications and automate decision-maker participation. With full support for BEA's eXtended Open Collaboration Protocol, the foundation for OASIS' new Business Transaction Protocol (BTP) initiative, BEA WebLogic Collaborate for RosettaNet manages complex trading partner interactions over the Internet. These transactions are managed as long-running and loosely coupled "conversations" among authenticated partners based on collaboration roles and agreements, and are tracked at a business level from the start of a B2B process to its completion. 'B2B integration is not just about sending XML documents, negotiating company touch-points, or even implementing standards, added [BEA VP Louise] Smith. 'It's about extending the virtual enterprise - including trading partners - to do the business that you do today more efficiently, effectively and profitably. That's the solution space we've targeted.' BEA WebLogic Collaborate for RosettaNet is available and can be downloaded today from www.bea.com."

• [March 08, 2001] "BEA Integration Platform Now Supports XML Trading Standard. Collaborate for RosettaNet provides tools for building PIPs." By Elizabeth Montalbano. In Computer Reseller News (March 06, 2001). "BEA Wednesday unveiled a new version of its Collaborate XML-based B2B integration platform that supports the RosettaNet standard for fulfilling trading-partner transactions in XML. According to BEA, WebLogic Collaborate for RosettaNet provides tools to help solution providers create partner interface processes (PIPs), which RosettaNet designed as standardized processes to fulfill business transactions--such as order processing--between business partners. With these tools, Collaborate for RosettaNet helps solution providers build RosettaNet-based trading exchanges and quickly bring them to market, said Louise Smith, vice president of marketing for the BEA E-Commerce Integration Division, in a press statement. BEA WebLogic Collaborate for RosettaNet is immediately available for download from www.bea.com. Collaborate is built on BEA's WebLogic application server and also includes WebLogic Process Integrator, a Java process tool that enables IT staff and business users to graphically model, adapt and store business processes. RosettaNet is a non-profit consortium formed two years ago to standardize how XML is used to define business processes in B2B. Its main work is concerned with standardizing those processes in vertical markets. Nearly 200 of the industry's leading vendors and solution providers, including BEA, Sun Microsystems, IBM, Oracle, Cisco, SilverStream Software, Andersen Consulting, Computer Sciences Corp. (CSC) and Deloitte and Touche, as well as leaders in various vertical industries, support RosettaNet..." See the announcement.

• [December 06, 2000] "Romance Language: RosettaNet Gains Traction for B2B Collaboration. RosettaNet, Hardly a Dead Language." By Jeanette Burriesci. In Intelligent Enterprise Volume 3, Number 18 (December 2000), pages 10-12. ['XML-based Partner Interface Processes are rolling out into the "real world".'] "It's a small step for each supply chain partner but a giant leap for supply chain management: RosettaNet announced in October that the majority of RosettaNet board members have put the organization's standards into practice. More than two years' efforts from big industry muscle -- such as Cisco, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM -- have been funneled into RosettaNet's goal to more easily enable transfer of meaningful business data among supply chain partners. Those efforts have begun to produce results, with several of RosettaNet's XML-based Partner Interface Processes (PIPs) now ready for prime time, and some in use. Other similar standards, namely OASIS and UN/CEFACT's ebXML and Microsoft's BizTalk, appear to be lagging far behind. Laura Walker, executive director of OASIS, characterizes her organization's ebXML as an 18-month program on track for release in May 2001. According to Hollis Bischoff, VP of e-business strategies at Meta Group, 'BizTalk is mostly vaporware.' 'Cisco Systems reached a production milestone a week ago on October 3 by sending a RosettaNet-based XML message to one of our key contract manufacturers,' said Mike Campi, VP of global supply management at Cisco. The PIP was a forecast notification. 'The next step will be to implement PIP 4A5, which is basically a forecast response coming back to us from our supply base, where we'll get the RosettaNet XML back into the Cisco environment,' he continued. The significance of that first transmission may be obscured by the mundane nature of its purpose, as well as the suggestion that receiving the response will take some time. 'The reality is that it's hard work. It was very sexy when the first announcements were made and it's not as sexy anymore,' says Bischoff. Nevertheless, the overall promise remains undiminished: RosettaNet PIPs will make connecting business processes among partners easier..."

• [October 25, 2000] "RosettaNet E-Business Standards Consortium Builds World-Class Technical Architecture Office. Consortium Seeks Chief Architect and Several Architecture Team Members to Champion Standards Development Activities." - "RosettaNet, the information technology (IT), electronic component (EC) and semiconductor manufacturing industries' leading non-profit consortium that develops global supply chain standard electronic business interfaces, has recently announced production-system implementation of RosettaNet standards, and is now looking to expand its core architecture team to accelerate continued progress. RosettaNet's success is based largely on its rich and varied talent pool, many of whom are drawn directly from technology companies such as, Intel, Quantum, Texas Instruments, Extricity and webMethods. These companies and others provide short- and long-term loans of their own employees to develop and refine e-business standards that benefit the entire industry. This organizational structure is unique and separates RosettaNet from other e-business standards organizations. RosettaNet collects the best minds from the best technology companies and creates an environment of rapid innovation and collaboration from which all industry participants can benefit. It also hires highly qualified candidates as regular employees. The consortium has, for example, developed an Architecture Office consisting of regular employees and on-loan resources that the RosettaNet community can depend on for information, guidance, and dispute resolution when adopting RosettaNet interface standards. The Architecture Office is primarily responsible for the development of the RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF), a set of implementation guidelines that enable RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes (PIPs) to be exchanged in a standard way. The efforts have moved forward largely through the efforts of RosettaNet Chief Architect Mitch Shue, on loan from webMethods. Shue has managed the highly skilled team responsible for bringing the RNIF up to its soon-to-be-released second version, which will provide the IT and EC industries with a simplified integration and implementation process. Shue has also spearheaded development of the RosettaNet software compliance program, a formal procedure that, when launched, will allow companies to ensure that their RosettaNet-based products and solutions for the implementation of RosettaNet standards meet all necessary requirements and, as a result, enable them to begin forging dynamic trading partner relationships via the Internet. RosettaNet seeks to fill the vacant position of chief architect when Shue's on-loan assignment ends early next year. RosettaNet also plans to add two to three new technical architecture team members to officially form a global Technical Architecture Office and seeks immediate employee or on-loan candidate interest. The chief architect will report to Paul Tearnen, vice president of standards at RosettaNet, and will manage the newly formed architecture team to, among other things, continue refinement of the RNIF. The position requires leadership, objectivity, attention to detail and deep working knowledge of the technical and business requirements associated with creating industry-wide standards solutions. The chief architect will be responsible for forging alliances with other standards organizations and understanding how parallel industry efforts affect or relate to RosettaNet's activities. Candidates must be self-starters who have technical management experience as well as the ability to adapt to change. Knowledge of business concepts and supply chains, deep working knowledge of XML and e-commerce standards is also required."

• [October 10, 2000] "Leaders in the IT and EC Industries Announce RosettaNet Standards Implementation Success. Supply Chain Partners Implement Business-to-Business Process Standards in Production Environment." - " More than 60 companies with headquarters in Asia, Europe and the Americas are gathering Tuesday to announce success in implementing global e-business process standards within the information technology (IT) and electronic components (EC) industries. Organized around '10.10.2000,' a milestone marking production-system implementation of RosettaNet standards, this gathering of supply chain partners and solution partners represents substantial industry-wide participation and velocity. Progress made by the RosettaNet consortium members signifies a new era of supply chain collaboration, according to RosettaNet CEO Jennifer Hamilton. The theme of 10.10.2000 is the "transition from commitment to implementation," according to Hamilton, who will report that approximately 80 percent of IT and EC Board Member companies have connected with trading partners to implement RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes (PIPs). RosettaNet PIPs are system-to-system XML-based dialogs critical to aligning business processes in the supply chain. Working in concert with trading partners are solution providers who deliver system integration, software development and consulting services; RosettaNet membership contains nearly 150 Solution Partner companies that are committed to speeding adoption of RosettaNet standards. Several thousand people at partner companies are working full- or part-time on RosettaNet implementations, Hamilton noted. A public event Tuesday will showcase partner successes, with selected companies reporting live implementation of PIPs in production-system interfaces between trading partners. Scheduled speakers represent Arrow Electronics, Cisco Systems, Compaq Computer, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Lucent, Motorola, NEC, and Philips Semiconductors. Other participants sharing achievements include Agilent, AMD, Avnet, Bourns, Dell, Flextronics, Future Electronics, Hitachi, IBM, Micron, Molex, National Semiconductor, ON Semiconductor, pcOrder, Pioneer, Samsung, STC, STMicroelectronics, Tech Data, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, Tyco Electronics and Xilinx. In addition to increasing momentum of production PIP implementation in the IT and EC industries, RosettaNet is celebrating rapid growth into new supply chains and recent global expansion. The creation this month of a Semiconductor Manufacturing (SM) Board extends the reach of RosettaNet through the design and manufacture of semiconductors used in a wide range of computer and electronic systems. Regional RosettaNet organizations in North America, Europe, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan are also providing a voice to various business economies seeking to adopt and influence RosettaNet global standards in their respective regions. RosettaNet will also roll out a new PIP assembly line methodology designed to accelerate development and input processes. . . RosettaNet is an independent, self-funded, non-profit consortium dedicated to the development and deployment of standard electronic business interfaces to align the processes between supply chain partners on a global basis. More than 300 companies representing more than $1 trillion in annual information technology, electronic components and semiconductor manufacturing revenues currently participate in RosettaNet's standards development, strategy and implementation activities."

• [October 13, 2000] "RosettaNet companies go live with business process interface." By Ephraim Schwartz. In InfoWorld (October 10, 2000). "RosettaNet, a high-tech consortium formed to develop a global standard supply-chain interface, paraded its marquee industry members on Tuesday with each company explaining how it is deploying RosettaNet to tightly link supply-chain business processes. Member companies such as Cisco Systems and Hewlett-Packard were represented. The justification for the event was to announce that member companies were meeting the Oct. 10, 2000 goal put forth last year to have production system deployment of RosettaNet's Partner Interface Processes (PIP) technology. Although the event was mainly focused on touting the benefits of using the RosettaNet technology, there was an underlying message that went beyond a single solution and that supply-chain integration overshadows any additional benefits that might be offered by an online exchange. The words exchange and marketplace were barely mentioned. 'It's about better connections. XML and TCP/IP is not going to integrate to anyone's supply chain,' said Colin Evans, director of e-business strategy at Intel, in Santa Clara, Calif." See also the announcement: "Leaders in the IT and EC Industries Announce RosettaNet Standards Implementation Success. Supply Chain Partners Implement Business-to-Business Process Standards in Production Environment."

• [December 01, 1999] "RosettaNet Reaches Critical Milestone. Releases First 10 XML PIP Specifications." - "Furthering one of the most ambitious standards implementation efforts in history, RosettaNet, an independent consortium dedicated to development and deployment of supply chain eBusiness standards, Wednesday announced the release of its first 10 XML Partner Interface Processes (PIPs). Cooperatively developed by RosettaNet member companies, the PIPs are designed to align the electronic business processes of trading partners within the information technology (IT) supply chain. RosettaNet's PIPs are specialized system-to-system XML-based dialogs that define how business processes are conducted between IT manufacturers, software publishers, distributors, resellers and corporate end users. RosettaNet PIPs are essential to enabling the standardization of eBusiness processes among buyers and sellers in the supply chain. The PIPs were developed by analyzing supply chain processes, identifying mis-alignments, and designing a standard solution that enables global-scaled deployment. With the completion of these 10 PIPs, RosettaNet takes a step closer to achieving its goal of global deployment on Feb. 2, 2000. RosettaNet is unusual to industry standards-setting efforts in that it is designed to go beyond data interchange to align business processes. Like the earlier release of RosettaNet's technical and business dictionaries and set of eBusiness protocols, the 10 PIPs enable supply chain trading partners to create standard message documents for use in conducting eBusiness via the Internet. The first 10, of an eventual 100 PIPs, support catalog updating and purchasing. They define common XML dialogs for: Managing product subscriptions, Distributing new product information, Querying product information, Querying technical information, Distributing SKUs, Querying price and availability, Transferring shopping carts, Managing purchase orders, Querying order status, Distributing order status."

• [July 27, 2000] "RosettaNet: E-biz Rules Set in Stone. Viacore to unlock standard language for supply chains." By Richard Karpinski. In B2B Magazine (July 17, 2000), pages 3, 36. "Fadi Chehade was b-to-b before b-to-b was cool. Three years ago, Chehade led the groundbreaking computer industry effort, dubbed RosettaNet, to create a standard way for manufacturers, distributors and resellers to connect their supply chains through the Internet. Though the effort was successful in defining a collection of extensible markup language dialogues for standard buyer-seller interactions, individual companies have been slow to adopt the standards. Now, Chehade hopes to help the industry move from planning the standards to implementing them as founder and chairman of Viacore Inc., which this summer began delivering an innovative technology platform to make good on RosettaNet's promise. . ."

• [June 23, 2000] "Supply Chain Optimization. An Overview of RosettaNet e-Business Processes." By Malcolm Lewis (Vitria Technology). In eAI Journal Volume 2, Number 6 (June 2000), pages 12-18. "Business-to-Business (B2B) e-commerce promises to optimize product and service supply chains by replacing expensive and time-consuming physical inventory flows with automatic,system-to-system, real-time information flows. While an important part of the solution, standard inter-company document formats based on the XML are not the panacea for enabling this transformation. The key is the explicit definition and automatic implementation of standard business process models that describe the step-by-step exchange of these XML documents. That's what may finally unlock the significant business benefits of end-to-end supply chain optimization. . . While an obvious improvement over manual techniques, EDI has seen limited adoption due to the complexity and cost of the software required to interface internal IT systems to VANs. Also problematic is the high, transaction-based costs of the VAN itself. Fortunately, a simple, low-cost alternative to EDI has arrived in XML and the Internet. XML-encoded business documents are much simpler to understand and easier to customize and extend. Moreover, XML documents can travel the public Internet, which represents a significant advantage over EDI. The latter method requires expensive VANs with limited reach. Since XML provides little more than an alphabet to describe business documents, companies augment XML with the use of Document Type Definitions (DTDs) to unambiguously describe the structure of XML-encoded business documents. The use of XML, DTDs, and the Internet is a step toward convenient, low-cost exchange of information and transactions between trading partners. It's not, however, a panacea for end-to-end, system- to-system supply chain automation. . . RosettaNet Implementation Framework: The RNIF provides specific details on how to implement the RosettaNet process and data standards. The standard assumes partners will use XML documents and the Internet for B2B information exchange and transactions. RosettaNet PIPs define the specific sequence of steps required to complete a B2B process such as the distribution of catalog update or placement of a purchase order. They also define the specific information exchange and transactions each step in the business process triggers. RosettaNet PIPs defines the public processes -- and related data -- required to conduct common business transactions electronically over the Internet. RosettaNet uses the Unified Modeling Language (UML) to define common B2B processes, and XML to describe shared B2B data formats. As of February 2000, RosettaNet has published detailed specifications for the following 10 PIPs [ . . .] RosettaNet is significant in that it provides the first e-business standard to recognize that automatic, system-to-system, real-time partner information exchange and transactions require an explicit standard for both B2B data formats and B2B process flows. Companies that implement the RosettaNet standard may finally achieve the Utopian business dream -- end-to-end optimization of their product and service supply chains."

• [April 11, 2000] "webMethods Launches webMethods B2B For RosettaNet. Powerful, Platform Independent Business-to-Business Integration (B2Bi) Solution Provides Full Support for RosettaNet and All B2B Protocols for Real-Time Supply Chain Integration." - "webMethods, Inc., a leading provider of business-to-business integration (B2Bi) solutions, today announced webMethods B2B for RosettaNet, the first out-of-the-box, production-proven solution that enables real-time B2B e-commerce across the supply chain while providing full integration to a variety of back-end, legacy and ERP systems. webMethods B2B for RosettaNet is the only solution that fully supports all common message standards of RosettaNet in addition to providing the broadest support of other industry leading B2B protocols such as XML, cXML, OBI, OAG, ACORD, Microsoft BizTalk and legacy EDI. RosettaNet is the leading industry standards body and consortium dedicated to delivering pre-defined B2B interface processes for the IT and electronic components industries. As one of the first solution providers to join RosettaNet, webMethods has been actively involved with developing RosettaNet solutions and has long recognized the potential of the consortium to revolutionize business-to-business processes. webMethods is the leading RosettaNet Solution Partner, and has completed more implementations than any other RosettaNet Solution Partner. To date, webMethods has worked with leading companies such as Avnet, Compaq, firstsource.com, Hewlett-Packard, Juniper Networks, MicroAge, NEC Technologies, SAP Labs, SYNNEX Information Technologies and VEBA Electronics Group. Key features of webMethods B2B for RosettaNet include: (1) Custom Development Capability. By deploying webMethods B2B for RosettaNet, companies receive full support for RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes (PIPs), the RosettaNet Implementation Framework, data dictionaries, D-U-N-S (R), GTIN and UNSPSC codes, even as RosettaNet develops new PIPs and targets additional industries. In addition, companies can define their own PIPs depending on their specific trading relationships, thus giving them the flexibility to work with any trading partner that does not use RosettaNet standards. These custom development capabilities can be facilitated in an easy-to-use GUI environment without requiring extensive programming or development experience. (2) Integration Module Support. webMethods provides standardized Integration Modules and adapters for a variety of popular back-end ERP applications such as SAP, Baan, Oracle and PeopleSoft. In addition, webMethods provides instant point-and-click mapping capabilities for integrating with custom-built legacy applications and EDI platforms. (3) Broadest Support for B2B Standards. webMethods B2B for RosettaNet provides full interoperability across trading partners through broad support of today's leading industry standards, including XML, cXML, xCBL, FpML, SML, OBI, OAG and EDI. With webMethods B2B for RosettaNet, companies can create a single gateway for all B2B interactions, regardless of partner support of RosettaNet standards. (4) Easy-to-Use Management Tools. webMethods B2B for RosettaNet includes a sophisticated Trading Partner Manager (TPM) module to capture trading partner-specific business rules across the supply chain, and the Conversation Manager module ensures transaction integrity and adherence to the RosettaNet standard, without development experience or knowledge. . . "

• [April 14, 2000] "webPLAN Joins RosettaNet to Champion Adoption of e-Business Standards." - "webPLAN Inc., a leading provider of e-Business solutions for manufacturers, has joined RosettaNet as a Solution Partner to support the deployment of global standards for business-to-business (B2B) transactions. RosettaNet, a consortium of more than 60 businesses that represent more than $600 billion in revenue, is focussed on developing business-process standards based on eXtensible Markup Language (XML) -- an Internet communication protocol that is rapidly becoming the transactional backbone for the e-Business revolution. RosettaNet is an independent, self-funded, non-profit consortium dedicated to the development and deployment of standard electronic business interfaces. These standards form a common eBusiness language, aligning processes between supply chain partners on a global basis."

• [April 03, 2000] "Mercator Accelerates RosettaNet Integration With B2B Applications. Joins RosettaNet Consortium to Advance XML Adoption for Supply Chain E-Business." - "Mercator Software, the e-business transformation company, today announced it has joined the RosettaNet consortium and is supporting the RosettaNet framework in its Mercator E-Business Integration Broker product line. Recently introduced features reduce the time, cost, and effort needed to implement RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes (PIPs) and integrate RosettaNet XML transactions with enterprise applications and legacy systems. With Mercator technology, the same underlying software architecture can be used to integrate existing applications with RosettaNet and any other business-to-business (B2B) standard, whether based on XML, EDI, or proprietary interchange formats, without writing programs. RosettaNet is an independent, self-funded, non-profit consortium dedicated to the development and deployment of standard electronic business interfaces to align the processes between supply chain partners on a global basis. Launched in June 1998, RosettaNet is currently in the pilot phase of its implementation cycle. More than 200 companies representing $1 trillion in annual information technology and electronic components revenues currently participate in RosettaNet's standards development, strategy and implementation activities. Today, Mercator customers in the technology industry such as Dell Computer, Texas Instruments, Compaq, Lucent Technologies and others are using the Mercator E-Business Integration Broker technology. With Mercator's widely used integration capabilities for enterprise applications and its support for the RosettaNet standard, a computer manufacturer can: accept purchase orders from a trading exchange, transform them into the formats needed for processing by an SAP system, transform the outputs into RosettaNet purchase orders that can be sent to component suppliers, receive the purchase order acknowledgments and prepare them for reconciliation, all without writing any programs. The RosettaNet standard defines the transactions, and Mercator integration broker technology ensures efficient, transparent integration with both internal applications and supply chain partners. Mercator E-Business Integration Broker software includes graphical tools for importing and maintaining transaction definitions, maintaining Partner Interface Processes, and specifying the transformation and integration of RosettaNet transactions and other B2B formats with enterprise applications. This 'any-to-any' integration capability, all done through a rules-based drag-and-drop interface, is a major advance over software tools that only integrate 'XML-to-XML,' and results in substantial cost and time savings for the customer."

• [February 10, 2000] "RosettaNet Pieces Begin Falling Into Place." By Eugene Grygo. In InfoWorld (February 04, 2000). "The RosettaNet XML-based supply chain management standards for IT manufacturers passed their first hurdle last week with eConcert Readiness Day, fueling speculation that the methodology of this effort could be cloned in other vertical markets, given significant buy-in from major players. The readiness event was a test of XML in a business-to-business production environment. RosettaNet members Intel, 3Com, and CompUSA had implementations based on the PIPs (Partner Interface Processes) of the RosettaNet XML-based guidelines for dialogue between business partners."

• [March 07, 2000] "PTC Announces Alliance with RosettaNet to Promote e-Business Initiatives." - "PTC, leader in the collaborative product commerce (CPC) market, today announced it has entered into an alliance with RosettaNet, the industry body that establishes global standards for e-commerce transactions in the electronics industry. With its endorsement of the RosettaNet e-commerce standards, combined with its acquisition of software and developers from Nitidus Technologies, Inc., PTC continues to broaden its offering of collaborative product commerce (CPC) solutions while cultivating new business opportunities in the electronics industry. In today's expanding Internet economy, integrated collaboration with customers, suppliers, and partners is essential to maintaining a competitive advantage. Without a standard business interface, the ability of manufacturers and the entire value chain to leverage the Internet as a Business-to-Business (B2B) e-commerce tool is greatly inhibited. RosettaNet's efforts are symbiotic with PTC's CPC solutions because they create new areas of alignment within the supply chain to enable manufacturing companies to fully leverage the possibilities of the Internet. As a solutions partner, PTC is committed to implementing the Internet's eXtensible Markup Language (XML)-based RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF) and its associated partner interface processes (PIPs) to help further extend the CPC capabilities of customers world-wide. According to James Baum, executive vice president of engineering, research and development for PTC, 'The technologies we've acquired from Nitidus, which have been demonstrated at RosettaNet's March eConcert convention, together with our XML-based Info*Engine enterprise application integration technology, uniquely position PTC as a critical infrastructure provider to the significant base of companies that are committing themselves to participate in RosettaNet-based e-commerce.' The addition of PTC's RosettaNet enablement solutions together with PTC's WindchillFactor! e-series, allows PTC's customers to proceed with confidence as they employ the Internet to realize the benefits of B2B commerce and Internet marketplace agility in the electronics industry."

• [March 03, 2000] "IPNet Solutions Showcases RosettaNet PIP At eConcert Day. Leading Provider of Virtual Trading Communities Drives E-Business Standards by Participating on RosettaNet Design Review Team." - "IPNet Solutions Inc., a provider of industry-leading XML-based eBusiness solutions, announced today that they will showcase its new RosettaNet Partner Interface Process (PIP) - order management - at RosettaNet's eConcert Day in Del Mar, Calif. The PIP enables trading partners of all sizes to view order status information using a standard Web browser and receive updates automatically by e-mail. A strong RosettaNet supporter and thought leader, IPNet is one of only seven companies selected to the newly formed RosettaNet Design Review Team. RosettaNet, an independent consortium of high technology manufacturers, distributors, resellers, end users and solution providers, develops and deploys common eBusiness interfaces to better align the processes between supply chain partners. eConcert Day is dedicated toward showcasing leading standards-based solutions. IPNet will showcase a PIP that enables a customer using XML (Extensible Markup Language) and browser-to-server access to expose purchase orders in Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL) stylesheets to its trading partners. XSL allows users to easily view XML data in different presentation formats such as purchase orders and invoices. As part of this initiative, IPNet Solutions and Celarix, Inc. were the first to showcase their successful deployment in February 2000 of a RosettaNet-based e-ordering pilot for apparel retailer L.L. Bean, an existing customer of Celarix. This solution has the potential to enable L.L. Bean to communicate with its trading partners regarding order status information via a standard web browser, and without having to install any special software."

• [March 01, 2000] "STC Joins RosettaNet to Help Champion New Industry-Wide B2B Exchange Standards. XML Interfaces Implemented Through STC's B2B Integrator -- e*Gate -- Enables True e-Business." - "STC, a leading global provider of e-Business application integration (eAI) packaged solutions, announced today it has joined RosettaNet as a Solution Partner to advance the deployment of new business-to-business exchange standards. RosettaNet, a consortium of more than 60 businesses that represent more than $600 billion in revenue, develops universal business processes that enable members of the information technology (IT) and electronic components (EC) supply chains to share and distribute information between systems. With the recent dramatic growth of business-to-business exchanges, it is crucial that companies' systems are interoperable with other systems in their supply chain. By deploying the standardized e-Business processes developed by RosettaNet, STC enables members of the IT supply chain -- including manufacturers, distributors, resellers and customers -- to conduct transactions over the Web in a synchronized, integrated manner. The underlying XML language of the interfaces developed by RosettaNet allows online exchange participants to connect to their partners and their customers. All pieces of the supply chain can be integrated and managed using e*Gate and RosettaNet's Implementation Framework and Partner Interface Processes (PIPs), a series of system-to-system XML-based dialogs that define how business processes are conducted. This includes configuration and order management, planning and scheduling, procurement, manufacturing, distribution and product and order status information. Companies realizing the value of RosettaNet's standards and embracing them include 3Com, AMEX, Cisco Systems, Dell, CompUSA, FedEx, GEIS, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Pioneer, and SAP."

• [February 15, 2000] "PeopleSoft Adopts RosettaNet XML Standard for Industry-Wide Electronic Business Interfaces." - "PeopleSoft today announced that it has joined RosettaNet, a consortium that develops and deploys XML-based standard electronic business interfaces, as a solution partner. The RosettaNet partnership marks PeopleSoft's support of Internet communication standards, and further demonstrates PeopleSoft's commitment to providing industry-leading collaborative eBusiness solutions. PeopleSoft will deliver RosettaNet compliant XML messages for release 7.5 in mid-year of 2000. As a result, customers using PeopleSoft's supply chain management applications will benefit from a 'plug and play' solution for Internet collaboration. With the most flexible supply chain solutions on the market, PeopleSoft XML-based application messaging will provide enhanced system communications. With RosettaNet compliant XML-based applications, enterprises using PeopleSoft Supply Chain will benefit from a common business interface, enabling more efficient eBusiness processes, production planning, channel allocation and cost savings. RosettaNet addresses the need for standard business interfaces. The consortium focuses on building a master dictionary to define properties for products, partners, and business transactions. This master dictionary, coupled with an established implementation framework (exchange protocols), is used to support the eBusiness dialog known as the Partner Interface Process or PIP. Through RosettaNet PIPs, new areas of alignment are created for PeopleSoft customers within the overall IT supply-chain eBusiness processes, allowing IT supply-chain partners to scale eBusiness, and to fully leverage e-commerce applications and the Internet as a business-to-business commerce tool."

• [February 07, 2000] "Dell Computer Joins Rosettanet Consortium, Pledges Resources to Supply Chain e-business Standards. Largest U.S. Computer Supplier Strengthens IT Managing Board." - "Dell Computer Corp., Round Rock, Texas, has joined the RosettaNet e-business process standards consortium and has been elected to its Information Technology (IT) Managing Board. The largest domestic computer supplier and second largest worldwide, Dell currently has relationships with numerous companies represented on RosettaNet's IT and Electronic Components (EC) Managing Boards, which are collaborating to develop and implement interface standards that align supply chain business processes -- including order processing, inventory management, collaborative forecasting and customer service. Dell joins RosettaNet at a time when members are completing internal readiness for implementing standards that include XML-based Partner Interface Processes (PIPs), Technical Dictionaries, and the RosettaNet Implementation Framework. Dell joins such manufacturers as 3Com, Cisco, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, NEC, Quantum, Siemens and Toshiba on the 33-member IT Managing Board, which also includes software publishers, resellers, wholesale distributors, e-technologists, shippers, end users and financial institutions. RosettaNet is an independent, self-funded, non-profit consortium dedicated to the development and deployment of standard electronic business interfaces to align the processes between supply chain partners on a global basis. Launched in June 1998, RosettaNet is currently in the pilot phase of its implementation cycle. More than 60 companies representing $600 billion in annual revenues currently provide the mandate for RosettaNet's standards development strategy."

• [February 04, 2000] "IPNet Solutions and Celarix Showcase First RosettaNet-Based e-ordering Pilot With L.L. Bean. Successful Pilot Test Enables L.L. Bean and Its Trading Partners to Access Sophisticated Order Information with a Standard Web Browser." - "In support of RosettaNet eConcert day, IPNet Solutions Inc. and Celarix Inc. Thursday announced their successful deployment of a RosettaNet-based e-ordering pilot for apparel retailer L.L. Bean, an existing customer of Celarix. IPNet Solutions, a provider of industry-leading eBusiness solutions, and Celarix, the leading provider of Web-based transportation procurement and logistics management services, have joined forces to deploy the world's first pilot test for order updates via the Internet using RosettaNet partner interface processes (PIPs). This solution has the potential to enable L.L. Bean to communicate with its trading partners regarding order status information via a standard Web browser, and without having to install any special software. RosettaNet, an independent consortium of manufacturers, distributors, resellers, end users and solution providers, develops and deploys common eBusiness interfaces to align the processes between IT supply chain partners. IPNet, Celarix and numerous other IT vendors have committed to support RosettaNet eConcert Day, agreeing to align internal business processes with one or more published PIPs and prepare internal systems to exchange one or more PIPs with another supply chain partner... This pilot demonstrates a typical order process for L.L. Bean with the added ability to update an order's status via a standard Web browser for viewing in an XML style sheet. In this implementation, L.L. Bean's purchasing department sends an order to L.L. Bean Manufacturing, who updates the order status via a standard browser. Celarix software interfaces with L.L. Bean's system to capture and extract the purchase order, which is sent to IPNet's eBizness Suite 3.0. The IPNet system converts the purchase order to RosettaNet XML while notifying L.L. Bean Corp. of the order via email. L.L. Bean Manufacturing then updates the order status via a standard browser. IPNet eBizness Suite sends the order status updates to both L.L. Bean and Celarix for viewing. In addition to enabling two companies to dynamically exchange XML documents, the user interface for the transaction is rendered using XML and XSL (XML style sheets)."

• [December 15, 1999] "RosettaNet Opens European Office. Names Director of European Partner Relations to Extend Global Implementation of Supply Chain Standards. Establishes Partner Relations Group in U.S." - "RosettaNet today announced that it has opened a European Office and has appointed Thierry Ceillier as Director of European Partner Relations. Headquartered near Geneva, Ceillier will manage the RosettaNet effort to identify and integrate specific European requirements of companies participating in a global initiative to align supply chain interface eBusiness processes within the information technology (IT) and electronic component (EC) industries. He will also manage the European Partner Relations in these two industries. His appointment coincides with the scheduled first meeting of the RosettaNet European Review Committee on December 7, at which time supply chain trading partners will address issues relating to implementation of RosettaNet standards in Europe...RosettaNet is an independent, self-funded, non-profit consortium dedicated to the development and deployment of standard electronic business interfaces to align the processes between supply chain partners on a global basis. More than 60 companies representing $600 billion in annual revenues currently provide the mandate for RosettaNet's standards development strategy."

• [January 20, 2000] "Sterling Commerce Announces New XML Solution for RosettaNet Members. New Software and Consulting Services Solution Will Increase Supply Chain Efficiencies Over the Internet Making It Easier For IT Industry to Conduct E-Business." - "Sterling Commerce, Inc. today announced its new E-business process integration software and consulting services solution through its participation in RosettaNet. RosettaNet is a consortium of manufacturers and distributors of computer products dedicated to accelerating supply chain automation. Sterling Commerce's 'RosettaNet Server' is designed to improve E-business supply chain management through the implementation of open and common processes by leveraging enabling technologies such as eXtensible Markup Language (XML). This solution helps companies implement RosettaNet's methodology for enabling small and large buyers and sellers to do business more efficiently over the Internet. Using RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes (PIPs), member companies are improving E-business process integration (BPI) over the Internet via standards like XML. Through its RosettaNet Server, Sterling Commerce provides E- business process integration solutions that simplify collaboration between commerce partners and improve business processes between supply chain partners on a global basis."

• [January 12, 2000] "ecomXML Joins RosettaNet to Advance Business-to-Business E-Commerce." - "ecomXML, a provider of business-to-business electronic commerce solutions, has joined RosettaNet, a consortium that develops and deploys XML-based standard electronic business interfaces. Internet-based XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is replacing EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) as the language of business-to-business electronic commerce. ecomXML has just released the beta version of ecomTalk Server, which allows companies to manage their supply chain using XML. RosettaNet, a consortium of manufacturers, distributors, resellers, end users and solution providers, develops a framework for business-to-business electronic interchange over the Internet. RosettaNet's Implementation Framework (RNIF) will help ecomXML continue development of ecomTalk Server, which is a digital router for electronic commerce. ecomTalk Server connects a company with its trading partners over the Internet. ecomTalk Server converts databases to XML that matches the PIPs, encrypts and provides a digital signature. On the receiving end, ecomTalk Server, verifies certificates, decrypts and routes the XML document to its destination. ecomTalk Server brings companies quickly into the rapidly growing world of B2B e-commerce where they will find new business opportunities and a competitive advantage. ecomTalk Server saves money with an out-of-box solution, low cost of deployment and support for open standards, scalability and security."

• [December 15, 1999] "Bridges for Islands Announces Partnership With RosettaNet. Bridges for Islands Leverages RosettaNet's Standards to Facilitate Business To Business Integration." - "Bridges for Islands Inc., an innovative provider of e-Business Application Integration solutions, today announced its membership in RosettaNet, an Information Technology industry- wide consortium that develops XML-based (eXtensible Markup Language) business process standards for B2B. Bridges for Islands is joining RosettaNet as a Solution Partner. RosettaNet's set of standards, including PIPs (Partner Interface Processes), define dialogs for business transactions that enable business partners to fully leverage e-Commerce applications and the Internet. Bridges for Islands offers e-Business tools that support RosettaNet standards. As a RosettaNet Solution Partner, Bridges for Islands will provide the technology and services to aid companies in implementing RosettaNet interfaces. Bridges for Islands with its Brahms B2BEngine will provide the products, tools, services and consulting to ensure increased adoption of RosettaNet standards across the entire supply chain..."

• [September 10, 1999] "RosettaNet Put To The Test." By Barbara Jorgensen. In CMPNet TechWeb News (September 09, 1999). "Four key members of the electronic-components supply chain have successfully exchanged business information over the Internet using the RosettaNet XML standard. Several weeks ago, Marshall Industries and Solectron became the first to test RosettaNet XML-based database descriptions to exchange data between online catalogs. More recently, Arrow Electronics and Intel successfully used the RosettaNet specification to send and receive data over the Web. RosettaNet, a nonprofit consortium formed last year to promote common Internet business communications standards, has created a framework using XML to streamline the computer product and IT supply chain. The group has also developed about 100 XML-based business processes, known as Partner Interface Processes (PIPs). Arrow and Intel were able to send and receive secure purchase orders over the Net through a data-transformation software. The software used in the process is a version of GE Information Systems' Application Integrator, enhanced to support XML and the RosettaNet PIP specifications. The purchasing PIP provides a mechanism for creating, canceling, or exchanging a purchase order between various business partners."

• [December 01, 1999] "elcom.com Joins RosettaNet - Will Contribute to Implementation of Standards for XML-Based Supply Chain Interfaces. elcom.com to Work with RosettaNet Consortium to Adopt Standards for eProcurement Process Interoperability." - "elcom.com, inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elcom International, Inc., today announced its support for the RosettaNet standards and will collaborate with RosettaNet members in implementing a common set of business interfaces and content standards for automated procurement (eProcurement) systems. The RosettaNet consortium, driven by trading partners and solution providers within the information technology and electronic components supply chains, is developing a set of global process standards that enable businesses to operate more effectively and lower the cost of business-to-business commerce. RosettaNet will harness the global and pervasive reach of the Internet by defining - and leading the implementation of - open and common processes designed to align the electronic business interfaces between supply chain partners. Said Elcom International's Chairman and CEO, Robert J Crowell. 'Participation in the RosettaNet consortium is consistent with our strategy to provide high levels of XML-oriented interoperability with supplier back-end systems. In 1994, we pioneered the concept of virtual sourcing, and we are committed to emerging standards which enable PECOS Internet Procurement Manager, our remotely-hosted automated procurement system, to extend supply chain integration. As RosettaNet's XML standards becomes more widely adopted, interfacing between PECOS Internet Procurement Manager and supplier's existing legacy and ERP systems will become easier than ever. We believe our strong technology foundation, combined with our legacy in supply chain integration, will enable us to assist in the accelerated implementation of industry-wide adoption of the RosettaNet standards.' elcom.com's PECOS Internet Procurement Manager is a second generation Internet-based automated procurement system designed to offer the many benefits associated with procurement automation without a large up-front financial commitment and without the IT personnel and resources burden typical of first generation eProcurement offerings. These benefits include reduction in product costs, improved operational efficiencies, outsourced content management, reductions in maverick spending, implementation of new services such as just-in-time delivery, and improved analytics enabling more informed decision making. elcom.com's offering, delivered through the combination of technology, content, and services, will take full advantage of the emerging RosettaNet standards."

• [December 06, 1999] "WebMethods Announces Rosettanet eConcert Webinar Series. Experts from webMethods, Forrester Research, KPMG and RosettaNet to discuss leveraging RosettaNet for successful B2B e-commerce initiatives." - "webMethods, Inc., a leading provider of business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce and integration solutions, today announced a series of executive Web-based seminars (Webinars) hosted in conjunction with RosettaNet, Forrester Research and KPMG. RosettaNet is a non-profit consortium of major technology vendors, merchants and buyers created to develop a universal standard for the exchange of information between businesses online. webMethods was the first solution provider to join RosettaNet. The eConcert Webinar series will address how RosettaNet's e-business interoperability standard provides a common interface for system-to-system integration across the entire supply chain. Leading the discussion will be Kimberly Trudel, director of Industry Solutions, webMethods, David Jaskulke, director of IT Partner Relations, RosettaNet, Lori Orlov, senior commerce technology analyst, Forrester Research, and Jim Oravec, senior manager, KPMG. The panel will discuss the changing e-business landscape as well as technical solutions and implementation approaches for incorporating RosettaNet into successful B2B e-commerce strategies."

• [November 23, 1999] "Active Software and Netfish Technologies Partner for Rapid RosettaNet B2B Implementations. Technology Leaders Offer Free RosettaNet Software to Help Companies Install EConcert Pilots and Meet February 2, 2000 Implementation Goals" - "With less than 90 days before the dawn of live RosettaNet installations throughout the IT industry, Active Software, Inc., a leading provider of eBusiness integration software products, and Netfish Technologies, Inc., a leader in B2B process integration, today announced they are licensing without charge all the software necessary to prototype RosettaNet process integration between trading partners. As part of their strategic partnership for B2B integration, Active Software and Netfish have developed a Readiness Kit for RosettaNet EConcert which contains everything required for manufacturers, resellers, distributors and other supply chain partners to develop and implement business processes conducted through RosettaNet standards by RosettaNet EConcert Day, which occurs on February 2, 2000. The RosettaNet EConcert Readiness Kit includes fully functional versions of Active Software's ActiveWorks Integration System and Netfish's XDI Server. The combined solution offers the most complete and compelling RosettaNet kit available, incorporating both Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) and Extensible Markup Language (XML) technologies to dynamically integrate applications within and across the extended enterprise through RosettaNet standards. Using this kit, RosettaNet members participating in EConcert trials can quickly and easily implement and deploy a RosettaNet Partner Interface Process (PIP). A PIP is a XML specification designed to align a specific business process, such as procurement or introduction of a new product to distribution channels, between supply chain partners using e-commerce applications and the Internet."

• [October 26, 1999] "PricewaterhouseCoopers and Extricity Software Form Strategic Alliance To Drive Global Mainstream Adoption Of RosettaNet E-Business Standards." - "Extricity Software, Inc., a leader in business-to-business e-commerce software, and PricewaterhouseCoopers, the world's largest professional services organization, have formed a strategic alliance to provide a comprehensive and packaged software and services solution dedicated to supporting and deploying RosettaNet electronic business standards. RosettaNet is an industry standards consortium dedicated to the development and deployment of electronic commerce partner interfaces to align the supply chain business processes within the IT and electronic components industries. The PricewaterhouseCoopers and Extricity Software alliance provides the industry's first combined software and services solution that helps companies easily and rapidly implement the new RosettaNet e-business standards. Extricity Software recently announced the availability of a complete software solution named the Extricity AllianceInteract for RosettaNet. As an integrator of Extricity's AllianceInteract for RosettaNet business-to-business software, PricewaterhouseCoopers will help high tech companies implement the RosettaNet e-business standards."

• [July 27, 1999] "Extricity Software Brings RosettaNet 'Virtual Distribution' Processes to Life for Marshall Industries and Solectron. Extricity AllianceSeries Enables Business-to-Business Transactions Between Marshall and Solectron." - "Extricity Software Inc. continues its active role in the RosettaNet eConcert initiative by helping to demonstrate 'virtual distribution' capability between Marshall Industries, a $1.7 billion distributor of industrial electronic components and supplies, and Solectron Corp., the leading global contract manufacturer. RosettaNet is the leading industry standards body and consortium focused on delivering pre-defined business-to-business processes for the IT industry. In the demonstration, Solectron and Marshall Industries share product catalog information through eXtensible Markup Language (XML)-based data exchange according to available RosettaNet standards. In the system that was created, Solectron's Extricity AllianceSeries-based solution interoperates over the Internet with an independently constructed system used by Marshall Industries. These highly synchronized business interactions have been shown to decrease purchased-materials lead times and improve the flow of incoming parts and materials."

• [October 19, 1999] "Extricity Introduces First Complete Solution Dedicated to RosettaNet Standards. New Extricity AllianceInteract forRosettaNet Enables Companies To Easily And Rapidly Implement RosettaNet E-Business Standards." - "Extricity Software, Inc., today announced the availability of a comprehensive new e-business software solution based on the electronic business standards developed by RosettaNet. RosettaNet is the leading industry standards body and consortium dedicated to the development and deployment of electronic commerce partner interfaces to align the business processes within the IT and electronic components supply chain industries. Extricity Software is rapidly becoming the de facto standard for leading IT companies who have committed to making the global use of RosettaNet's supply chain standards a reality by February 2, 2000. Using RosettaNet 'Partner Interface Processes' (PIPs), these leading IT industry companies are defining how business processes are conducted over the Internet between members of the IT supply chain, which include manufacturers, distributors, resellers, and end users. To date, Extricity Software has been selected by leading companies, including CompUSA Inc., Ingram Micro Inc., and Solectron Corp. to implement their RosettaNet e-business standards solution."

• [June 29, 1999] "RosettaNet decodes long-lost secrets of internetworking." By Dylan Tweney. In InfoWorld (June 19, 1999) [Net Prophet]. "Earlier this month, the consortium launched the implementation phase of its project, called eConcert, and plans to have the system fully operational by Feb. 2, 2000. Once complete, every PC manufacturer, distributor, and reseller involved in RosettaNet will use the same standards to encode product catalog data, to exchange purchase orders, or to coordinate product launches. Each interaction is defined in a set of "partner interface processes," which describe in great detail not only transactions but business rules and models as well. Getting everything to work together between dozens of companies is such a complex act of coordination that RosettaNet refers to the companies involved in the pilot phase as "dance partners." The remarkable thing about RosettaNet is that it has brought so many competitors together on the same platform. Manufacturers such as Compaq and Hewlett-Packard, resellers such as Insight and CompUSA, and software vendors such as Microsoft and Netscape have put aside their differences to sit down together on the RosettaNet board."

• [June 10, 1999] "IT Industry Companies Line Up to Form Partnerships for eConcert Piloting of Business Processes to Align Supply Chain." - "There was no shortage of volunteers when the call went out for participants in eConcert -- the implementation phase of RosettaNet, the most advanced partner-to-partner e-business initiative ever undertaken. In an initiative that will define supply chain transactions using between 75 and 100 standard XML-based partner interface processes (PIPs), or computer-to-computer dialogs, 15 companies have committed resources to four-to-six-month pilot programs that will test processes for updating catalogs and purchasing products. The announcement Thursday by RosettaNet -- the IT industry consortium comprised of manufacturers, software publishers, distributors, resellers, integrators and end users -- involves implementation of nine PIPs that will eventually comprise e-business production systems. The selected implementers have formed partnerships of two to six companies to begin pilot implementations. These early adopters recognize the value that RosettaNet's standards bring for themselves, RosettaNet members and every other company in the IT supply chain. Eventually, the entire industry will have the opportunity to take advantage of RosettaNet PIPs, each company in its own timeframe, according to Fadi Chehade, RosettaNet president and CEO. In addition to implementing PIPs to align their business processes, each of the eConcert participants have committed to encourage and assist all of their other key supply chain partners to get ready for the production system rollout in February of next year. eConcert will come to fruition on Feb. 2, 2000, when all the eConcert member companies will use PIPs in their everyday production routines. The RosettaNet Managing Board now consists of 34 CEOs, CIOs and executives representing global members of the IT supply chain." See the RosettaNet June 10, 1999 press event backgrounder and associated documents. More than 25 company press releases accompanied the RosettaNet media event.

• [June 14, 1999] "RosettaNet Jumps on XML Bandwagon. [Updated Article]" By Stannie Holt and Matthew Nelson. In InfoWorld Volume 21, Issue 24 (June 14, 1999), page 8. "Dozens of PC makers, suppliers, and buyers involved in the RosettaNet e-commerce standards initiative have committed to using eConcert -- the group's new e-commerce language based on Extensible Markup Language (XML) -- by next Feb. 2. They made their announcement at a press conference here Thursday. However, one RosettaNet member, CommerceOne, thinks the eConcert project is being too timid in clinging to older, EDI-type syntax. The eConcert project is intended to help trading partners collaborate more effectively by aligning not just their definitions of 'price,' 'ship date,' 'motherboard,' etc., but by aligning the ways they do business through so-called partner interface processes (PIPs), said RosettaNet CEO Fadi Chehade. The RosettaNet nonprofit group includes makers of chips, components, and PCs, as well as VARs, retailers, integrators, major buyers such as the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), delivery services, and e-commerce or enterprise resource planning software vendors. A total of 39 companies or agencies are committed to going live with RosettaNet PIPs by 'eConcert Readiness Day' on Feb. 2, 2000, the group announced." See also: "RosettaNet."

• [June 22, 1999] "Government Looks to RosettaNet to Cut Costs." By Nancy Dillon. In Computerworld (June 11, 1999). "If you think your supply chain is complex, consider the federal government. 'There are 600,000 items in the GSA [General Services Administration] catalog, 3 million in the Defense Agency's mall and another 130,000 items in the NASA catalog,' said Martin Wagner, associate administrator at the GSA's Office of Government-Wide Policy in Washington. At a RosettaNet conference here yesterday, Wagner said that GSA joined RosettaNet because it represents an opportunity to 'possibly save the taxpayers some money.' Efficiency gains should lead to lower product pricing, more vendors to choose from and faster time to market for the latest technologies."

• [June 10, 1999] RosettaNet XML Supply-chain Tests Begin." By Nancy Dillon. Computerworld (June 10, 1999). "The basis of the effort is a set of dialogs called Partner Interface Processes (PIP). Unlike electronic data interchange, which is transaction-centric, RosettaNet said PIPs were designed to handle dialogs (multiple data transactions back and forth)."

• [June 09, 1999] "RosettaNet Jumps on XML Bandwagon." By Matthew Nelson and Stannie Holt. In InfoWorld Electric (June 09, 1999). "The Extensible Markup Language (XML) will be the basis of RosettaNet's latest efforts at a shared electronic-commerce language for PC and software makers and dealers. The new initiative, eConcert, will be unveiled Thursday [June 10, 1999] at a press conference of RosettaNet members in Menlo Park, California. The XML-based eConcert will let RosettaNet's members -- including Compaq, Intel, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, American Express, Solectron, and Toshiba -- collaborate by giving them common definitions of 'price,' 'shipping,' 'processor speed,' 'modem,' etc., according to a source close to the group. The members are making a commitment to use eConcert by next February of next year, the source said. RosettaNet will also be announcing a system to create communities of buyers and sellers, such as chip makers and component assemblers on the Internet. . ."

• [June 10, 1999] 'eConcert Announcement'. RosettaNet Press Event. The RosettaNet Press Event of Thursday, June 10, 1999 [Stanford Park Hotel, Menlo Park, California] is to cover the 'Launch of eConcert'. eConcert is the implementation phase of the RosettaNet initiative, designed to leverage the Internet's potential as a business-to-business commerce tool. Speakers are to include: (1) Rick Fricchione, VP Advanced Information Technology & Planning/COMPAQ; (2) Honorio J. Padron, Senior VP, Engineering Processes and CIO/CompUSA Inc.; (3) Frank Campagnoni, CTO/GE Information Services; (4) Jerre Stead, CEO/Ingram Micro; (5) Colin Evans, Director of E-Business Strategy & Standards/Intel and RosettaNet Board Chairman; (6) Sean Maloney, Sr. VP/Director Sales & Marketing/Intel; (7) Ross Cooley, Chairman & CEO/pcOrder; (8) Fadi Chehade, CEO/RosettaNet. "Top-level executives from RosettaNet member companies -- including Intel, Ingram Micro, GE Information Systems, CompUSA, pcOrder, Microsoft, Compaq, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, American Express, UPS, CISCO, Deutsche Financial, GSA, NEC Technologies, Netscape, Office Depot, Oracle, Arrow Electronics, Insight, MicroAge, Solectron, Tech Data, Toshiba and others -- will join forces to launch the implementation phase of the RosettaNet initiative.

• [June 17, 1999] "SAP AG Announces Commitment to RosettaNet Global Internet Standards. SAP Extends Its mySAP.com Internet Strategy by Helping Companies Leverage Standard Interfaces Between Supply Chain Partners." - "SAP today announced its endorsement of eConcert, the multipartner implementation of RosettaNet's electronic commerce standards. As one of the enterprise business software solution members of the managing board of the RosettaNet global electronic commerce standards consortium, SAP is committed to implementing RosettaNet Extensible Markup Language (XML)-based Partner Interface Processes (PIP) to help further extend the current Internet commerce capabilities of its 20,000 customers worldwide by RosettaNet's Feb. 2, 2000, industry readiness target date. With its endorsement of the RosettaNet e-commerce standards, SAP continues to broaden its offering of Internet-enabled applications and build upon mySAP.com, the company's Internet business strategy that creates collaborative markets and dynamic business relationships."

• [June 10, 1999] "webMethods Announces Readiness to Implement RosettaNet's Global Supply Chain Architecture. Company to Deliver RosettaNet Implementation by February, 2000. webMethods' Expertise in XML Integration To Improve Processes Between Trading Partners." - "webMethods today announced its readiness to implement a live production application based on the RosettaNet framework, an initiative to establish global PC supply chain standards, by February, 2000. RosettaNet's initiative, code-named eConcert, is currently in the pilot phase of pre-production partner-to-partner interface scenarios. In June 1998, webMethods was the first business-to-business integration vendor with XML-based products to join RosettaNet as an architect partner.. . RosettaNet is defining and leading the implementation of open and common processes designed to align the electronic business interfaces between IT supply chain partners. RosettaNet's 34 board member companies generate more than half of the PC sector's $7 billion annual revenues."

• [June 10, 1999] "GE Information Services Successfully Implementing RosettaNet XML Pilot Program. Arrow Electronics and NEC Technologies Working Alongside E-Commerce Leader to Utilize New Technologies Within RosettaNet Partner Interface Process Pilot." - "Today, at the RosettaNet board meeting, GE Information Services announced that they are implementing XML technologies in a Partner Interface Process (PIP) pilot program with RosettaNet colleagues, Arrow Electronics, Inc. and NEC Technologies. GE Information Services, Arrow Electronics and NEC Technologies are among the first companies to be implementing a purchase order PIP pilot within the RosettaNet framework. As a continuation of the program, GE has recently delivered a pilot version of their translation software, EDI Application Integrator, with XML extensions. A RosettaNet PIP is a specification using XML designed to align a specific business process between trading partners. The purchase order PIP (PIP3A1) provides a mechanism for creating, cancelling and exchanging a purchase order between various business partners. Arrow Electronics and NEC Technologies joined GE Information Services in the pilot program because of their interest to exchange business information using the XML specifications as defined by RosettaNet."

• [June 10, 1999] "Extricity Software Demonstrates First Successful Customer Implementation of Rosettanet E-Business Standards. Ingram Micro and Solectron Use Extricity AllianceSeries Products to Bring RosettaNet eConcert Initiative to Life." - "Support of the open, eXtensible Markup Language (XML)-based RosettaNet standards adds yet another way in which members of trading partner communities can integrate their business processes and systems using the Extricity AllianceSeries family of products. The Extricity AllianceSeries family already allows business users to define interactions with their trading partners via shared processes based on XML, via web-based interactions, as well as a wide variety of basic data exchange methods, including electronic data interchange (EDI), file transfer protocol (FTP), and simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP)."

• [June 12, 1999] "Bowstreet Endorses RosettaNet's eConcert Initiative. Bowstreet Solutions Enable Companies to Meet RosettaNet's Commitment to Implement eBusiness for the IT Industry." - " Bow Street Software Inc., a leader in providing eBusiness solutions for Internet Channel Management, today announced it will support RosettaNet's eConcert initiative and solutions to enable companies to integrate RosettaNet capabilities into eBusiness developments. Bowstreet 's solutions are based on its unique Web Services Architecture that uses two cutting-edge technologies: directory services and the Extensible Markup Language (XML). By integrating these two technologies, Bowstreet provides the first eBusiness platform for creating, deploying and managing thousands of highly customized Internet-based channel relationships over extranets - on the fly and with minimal programming."

• [June 12, 1999] "Agile Software Collaborates on First RosettaNet Production Application. Standards-Based Information Exchange Powers B2B Opportunities." - "The full potential of supply chain Business-to-Business (B2B) e-commerce remains largely untapped and elusive, hampered by a lack of standards in business communications. In response, RosettaNet, the global initiative to adopt and deploy open and common business interfaces, is developing a groundbreaking Product Catalog Update Partner Interface Process (PIP) for the supply chain. The Catalog Update PIP is being developed by Ingram Micro, Inc., Solectron Corporation, Extricity Software, Inc., and leading supplier of product change collaboration (PC2) solutions for the electronic supply chain, Agile Software Corporation. Agile is a RosettaNet Architect Partner, and will be in attendance at RosettaNet's eConcert Announcement event in Palo Alto, California today. Today's supply chain lacks a common format for referring to critical product content like part numbers. The RosettaNet Catalog Update PIP uses the Internet's eXtensible Markup Language (XML) to enable companies to realize the power of B2B commerce."

• [June 12, 1999] "Sterling Commerce Endorses RosettaNet's eConcert. E-Commerce Leader Provides XML Support to Worldwide Consortium." - "Sterling Commerce, Inc. today announced its support of RosettaNet's launch of eConcert, a phased implementation of partner-to-partner E-commerce. Sterling Commerce will work in conjunction with RosettaNet to provide the eXtensible Markup Language (XML) support required to fulfill the commitment of eConcert, which sets initiation of labs testing, pilots and live production implementations to begin February 2000. Sterling Commerce will provide the expertise to implement XML-supported solutions. This effort reinforces the Sterling Commerce Business Process Integration (BPI) initiative, which focuses on the integration of distributed business processes through the electronic exchange and management of information within and between enterprises. As announced last month, Sterling Commerce, via its GENTRAN product family, supports both XML and traditional EDI standards with its data transformation engine. This support will co-exist in the same mapping and translation components that provide support for global EDI standards and proprietary message formats."

• [June 09, 1999] "RosettaNet Launches First-Ever Technical Dictionary for Unified E-Commerce Language. MicroAge, Ingram Micro, pcOrder and Tech Data First to Commit to Adopt for Their Own Catalog Databases." - "RosettaNet today announced the availability of the first-ever electronic technical dictionary to provide a common business language that will link an entire industry's supply chain business processes. Under a continuing mandate from a consortium of major information technology enterprises, RosettaNet spearheaded the development of the dictionary, which was designed by and for the IT industry to standardize data required for supply chain business processes. The RosettaNet dictionary is a major element in a fast-track project to build business process interoperability into a fully automated electronic business "infostructure" that links manufacturers, software publishers, resellers, wholesale distributors, end users, financiers, carriers and e-business technologists. Containing approximately 3,600 words, the data dictionary describes technical specifications for a wide range of IT products. . . the dictionary's hierarchical structure is far more than a compendium of words and meanings. Layers within layers of descriptive fields refer to product type, multiple specifications and their definitions, terms to explain dimensions and their units, and a value domain field for listing model variations. Another key aspect of the RosettaNet dictionary is providing a precise language that enables fast and economical machine-to-machine translation of the words into foreign languages. This flexibility, which Chehade characterizes as essential to RosettaNet's overall mission to globalize the IT supply chain's business processes, promotes international, multilingual e-business initiatives that cross all geographic boundaries. Businesses can now understand each other and seamlessly integrate their business transactions."

• [April 13, 1999] "$700 Billion IT Industry Set to Embrace RosettaNet Global Business Standards Aimed At Aligning IT Supply Chain to Leverage Internet and E-commerce. IBM and Microsoft Successfully Complete Implementation Test of RosettaNet's First XML-based Partner Interface Process." - "RosettaNet, a global business consortium creating the electronic commerce framework to align processes in the IT supply chain, Monday announced that it has successfully completed implementation on its first 'Partner Interface Process,' referred to as a PIP. A RosettaNet PIP is an XML specification designed to align a specific business process between supply chain partners. This initial test of a PIP, completed by IBM and Microsoft, allows manufacturers to seamlessly add new products -- including standardized technical specifications and part numbers -- into their partners' catalogs. RosettaNet develops PIPs through extensive process modeling to determine how partners (manufacturers, distributors, resellers, carriers and end-users) in the IT supply chain interact with each other as they carry out day-to-day business activities in each of six high-level business process areas -- Partner/Product Review, Product Introduction, Order Management, Inventory Management, Marketing Information Management, and Service and Support. . . The RosettaNet Managing Board now consists of 34 CEOs, CIOs, and executives representing global members of the IT supply chain . . ."

• [October 29, 1998] "RosettaNet Emerges." By Nicole Lewis. In Sm@rt Reseller ([October 29, 1998). "While various aspects of each standard may impact the channel, the standard that will most directly affect the reseller is being developed by RosettaNet, a consortium of major distributors, resellers, manufacturers, software publishers, product shippers, technologists and bankers, among others. osettaNet is using XML, a common alphabet for doing business on the Web, to build its e-commerce dictionary. The organization says the dictionary will be the one defining framework by which all PIPs will be exchanged. 'We will actually define the grammar by which we can build all the XML documents that machines could then exchange to truly do meaningful interface processes,' says Chehade. But while RosettaNet is taking the lead in developing standards and guidelines in the IT supply chain, other standards efforts remain in their infancy."

• [April 19, 1999] "XML Applications Stand Up To EDI." By Ellis Booker. In (April 16, 1999). "XML is starting to prove itself as a practical alternative to EDI for e-business trading. E-commerce pioneer Dell this week revealed it will use an application based on XML as the interface between its customers' ERP or procurement systems and its own online order-management systems. Separately this week, RosettaNet, a consortium creating XML-based supply chain processes for the $700 billion IT industry, said it had completed a successful test of its first Partner Interface Process (PIP), an XML derivative that defines various electronic interactions between trading partners. Dell's procurement system, due this summer, will rely heavily on Microsoft products, particularly its XML-based BizTalk schema and server products coming out in the second half of the year. . . Interestingly, Dell is not a member of RosettaNet, which counts American Express, Cisco, CompUSA, Compaq, EDS, Federal Express, Intel, Oracle, Hewlett-Packard, and Netscape as members."

• [July 28, 1998] "E-Com's Rosetta Stone. Group of IT Vendors Forging Supply Chain Language." By Jim Kerstetter. In PC Week (July 27, 1998), pages 1, 18, 20. "RosettaNet bills itself as the group that will create the 'lingua franca' of high tech -- the key to making sure that everyone is speaking the same e-commerce language. For an interchange format, RosettaNet has adopted a single format for the exchange of data through XML. Within two years, RosettaNet developers hope to define everything in the computer industry's supply chain -- from the technical specifications of the components in a laptop computer to spare parts and the size of the boxes in which products are shipped. So far, four RosettaNet projects have been completed: 1) Catalog Information, which defines the data fields for general product information; 2) Software Technical Specification, which defines the technical attributes of software and licensing agreements; 3) the Memory Technical Specification, which defines memory products and their technical attributes; and 4) the Laptop Specification, which defines the attributes of a laptop. The entire RosettaNet project is expected to be handed over to an established standards body, such as CommerceNet, by the middle of 2000, where definitions for new technologies can be added as needed." [adapted, local archive copy]

• "RosettaNet to Ease Web Buying." By John Evan Frook. In InternetWeek (June 8, 1998). "Information technology vendors are rapidly chiseling away at industry-standard product definitions, and their efforts could ultimately simplify corporate purchases of computer products made over the Web. That's the message from a host of players involved in RosettaNet, the consortium of more than 40 high-profile IT product vendors created earlier this year to deliver common business-process guidelines for Internet trading. [CEO] Chehade said eXtensible Markup Language should emerge as the common data format for these descriptions, though other participants have said it is too soon to say whether XML will emerge as the standard. Today, XML specialist webMethods Inc. is scheduled to announce its participation in the RosettaNet consortium. The technology company will drive to show how XML could be used to automate business processes that leverage RosettaNet's standard product descriptions." Or see TechWeb source.

• [June 8, 1998] "CommerceNet Partners with RosettaNet to Further Electronic Commerce." - "CommerceNet today announced a comprehensive partnership with the RosettaNet Consortium to expand and accelerate the adoption of open electronic commerce in the Information Technology (IT) industry. CommerceNet is playing a key role by providing project management and research services for the fast-paced RosettaNet initiative.