New RosettaNet standards helps to lower the cost of new implementations for small to medium businesses

A large number of our customers face with issues such as lack of technology resources, network infrastructure and high-cost and complexity of off-the-shelf integration technologies. For the large enterprise, these issues make the cost of integrating a small supplier two to five times the cost of integrating a larger one. The result is that many RosettaNet-based implementations reach only the largest 10-20% of a company's suppliers, leaving the remaining 80% behind -- usually small and mid-sized suppliers.

Simplifying integration, reducing costs, and the emergence of new and promising technologies were the drivers behind the creation of the RosettaNet Automated Enablement. RAE leverages other standards as well as emerging technologies such that it may be possible to affordably integrate with small and midsize trading partners.

RosettaNet implementations today require each business partner to support an implementation of the RosettaNet Implementation Framework (RNIF). Although RNIF is fairly robust, RosettaNet positions itself supporting the upper layers relating to business messages and processes, rather than the lower layers concerned with messaging and other infrastructure. RNIF is likely to turn into a maintenance burden for RosettaNet in the long run.

Multiple Messaging Services (MMS) is a RosettaNet Foundational Program chartered to address the support of RosettaNet XML business messages and business to business (B2B) collaboration over horizontal message handling systems such as Web services.

When coupled with RosettaNet Automated Enablement (RAE), the combination yields an excellent low cost solution to enable RosettaNet B2B exchange for small to medium sized business.

Multiple Messaging Services (MMS) provides a set of specifications that precisely define how to exchange PIP messages over three message handling systems: AS/2, ebMS and WS-I. MMS defines how organizations can leverage any of the three protocols to execute RosettaNet Partner Interfaces Processes (PIPs).

Each of the three message handling systems leveraged by MMS has distinct advantages around technical features as well as acceptance in certain vertical markets. AS/2 has features that are ideally suited for an extremely high volume of message exchange. ebMS is endorsed and used by the automotive and defense industries. Web services have established itself as a very versatile and cost-effective means of establishing enterprises integration services. The ubiquity of Web services also holds tremendous promise in reducing costs for the small and midsized trading partner. Indeed, all three message handling systems hold the promise of cost reduction and extension into other industries, geographies and markets.