papiNet Announces a 45 Day Public Review Period for Version 2.20 with 3 New Messages and the Integration of 3 New Market Segments

papiNet, the global electronic standards initiative for paper and forest products industry, announces a 45 day public review period for Version 2.20 of the papiNet Standard. This version integrates three additional market segments and adds three business documents. Recovered Paper, Label Stock, and Timber/Lumber join Fine Paper, Publication Paper, Pulp, Packaging/Containerboard, and Book Manufacturing market segments. papiNet provides complete supply-chain visibility for paper and forest products from Scale Ticket to Planning.

Brussels and Washington, D.C. (October 13,2003) - The members and sponsoring organizations of papiNet- the global electronic standards initiative of the paper and forest products industry - announce the beginning of the 45 day public review period for three additional business documents, five market segment message versions, and product definitions for three additional market segments. The messages being submitted for public review are Book Specification, Inventory Disposition Instructions, and Scale Ticket.

Users of version 2.00 and 2.10 messages can communicate with trading partners who want to embrace these new messages without any additional work. This is in line with the papiNet approach to release management.

After the public review period these messages will join the existing twenty-two-message suite that provides the ability for the paper industry and its customers to electronically communicate business transactions involved in the procurement, order fulfillment, and inventory management processes.

The papiNet standard facilitates electronic commerce between the paper and forest products industry and its customers by providing messages that standardize the transmission of business information between trading partners. papiNet is now focused on extending the penetration of the standard beyond the over 80 companies currently using it.

The public is invited to review the proposed additions to the papiNet standard and comment on them during the 45 day review period that begins on October 15, 2003 and will conclude on November 30, 2003. The messages being proposed can be downloaded from http://www.papinet.org/review.asp. Comments can be communicated to papiNet by using the feedback form available at http://www.papinet.org/feedback.asp.

In addition to the information on the proposed messages, complete documentation for the published messages is available on the papiNet web site. Implementation guide and data coordination tools are also available. Implementation support is also available through a User Group and help desk for European firms. Visit www.papinet.org for further information.

About papiNet

The purpose of papiNet is to develop, maintain, and support the implementation of global electronic business transaction standards for parties engaged in the buying, selling and distribution of forest and paper products. The aim is to improve the reach and richness of communication throughout the supply chain, increase efficiencies in transactions, and to support interoperability among trading partners. The papiNet standards are open and freely available. Critical mass is achieved by involving key players globally and across the supply chain. Nearly 50 customers, producers, and technology firms from Europe and North America are involved in the initiative with industry association partners - American Forest and Paper Association, CEPI, and IDEAlliance (www.afandpa.org, www.cepi.org, and www.idealliance.org.)

Contact

Arthur Colman
papiNet Technical Lead
colman@drybridge.com
+1 617 803 2546