OASIS and UN/CEFACT To Host ebXML Conference at XML Europe 2002 in Barcelona

Geneva, Switzerland and Boston, MA, USA; 2 May 2002 -- "Implementing ebXML" provides the focus for a new conference sponsored jointly by OASIS and UN/CEFACT in Barcelona, Spain on 23 May 2002. Highlighting the growing use of ebXML in a range of industries as well as ebXML's role in Web services, the one-day conference will be held in conjunction with IDEAlliance's XML Europe 2002 show. The ebXML conference is expected to draw developers and business managers from around the world who are interested in implementing ebXML’s modular suite of specifications for conducting business over the Internet. "Implementing ebXML" will offer technical guidance on how to adopt the UN/CEFACT and OASIS ebXML standards for exchanging business messages, conducting trading relationships, communicating data in common terms and defining and registering business processes. Attendees will also hear about the general business benefits of managing electronic commerce through ebXML from existing ebXML end users and software suppliers.

Keynote presentations from Isidro Laso of the European Commission and Ray Walker, Special Advisor on Trade Processes and Electronic Business for the United Kingdom Department of Trade and Industry, will be featured at "Implementing ebXML." The program will also include updates from ebXML users in the finance, insurance, retail sales, e-commerce and automotive industries. Representatives of the United Nations, EAN International, Uniform Code Council (UCC), Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail (STAR), Pan Asian e-Commerce Alliance, Sun Microsystems, Microsoft, IONA, Cyclone Commerce, Sybase, Sterling Commerce, XML Global, and others will present.

"Adoption of ebXML and concurrent realization of business benefits has been growing -- especially in Europe-- since the completion of the first phase of ebXML last May," said Simon Nicholson of Sun Microsystems, chair of the UN/CEFACT-OASIS Joint Coordination Committee for ebXML and chair of "Implementing ebXML" at XML Europe. "The breadth and quantity of industry groups, governments, vendors and major companies that are coming together to share their experiences at this conference is a testament to the momentum that's building in the marketplace."

"ebXML Day offers a great opportunity to gain valuable insight from ebXML implementers as they share tips, guidelines, and lessons learned," added Patrick Gannon, president and CEO of OASIS. "The program will explore how ebXML is being used to facilitate Web services with the support of global product vendors and the backing of major standards-setting bodies."

"Implementing ebXML" http://www.xmleurope.com/2002/ebxmlday.asp will be open to all XML Europe 2002 attendees, as well as to those who would like to register for the one-day conference separately. Complimentary press passes are available; contact carol.geyer@oasis-open.org for details. Complete details on XML Europe 2002 are available at www.xmleurope.com.

In addition to the "Implementing ebXML" conference, UN/CEFACT will be hosting a series of ebXML working group meetings the week of 20-24 May 2002 at the World Trade Center in Barcelona. Members of UN/CEFACT and OASIS are invited to register at http://www.ebtwg.org/events/052402.html.

About ebXML

ebXML (www.ebXML.org), sponsored by UN/CEFACT and OASIS, is a modular suite of specifications that enables enterprises of any size and in any geographical location to conduct business over the Internet. Using ebXML, companies now have a standard method to exchange business messages, conduct trading relationships, communicate data in common terms and define and register business processes. UN/CEFACT (www.uncefact.org) is the United Nations body whose mandate covers worldwide policy and technical development in the area of trade facilitation and electronic business. OASIS (http://www.oasis-open.org) is a not-for-profit, global consortium that drives the development, convergence and adoption of e-business standards.

About IDEAlliance

IDEAlliance (International Digital Enterprise Alliance) is a not-for-profit membership organization. Its mission is to advance user-driven, cross-industry solutions for all publishing and content-related processes by developing standards, fostering business alliances, and identifying best practices. IDEAlliance has been a leader in information technology since 1966 (founded as Graphic Communications Association) having fostered the development and adoption of standards such as ADIS, GRACoL, ICE, JIFFI, Mail.dat, papiNet, PRISM, PROSE XML, SPACE XML, SGML, and XML. Learn more about IDEAlliance at www.idealliance.org.

For more information:

Carol Geyer
Director of Communications
OASIS
carol.geyer@oasis-open.org
+1.978.667.5115 x209

or

Tanya Bosse
Manager of Promotion
IDEAlliance
tbosse@idealliance.org
+1 703.443.1717