Location: c-Commerce: The Collaborative Electronic Commerce Seminar, Bangkok / Event Date: Jan 10, 2003

1. ebXML and Open Source
Software for E-Commerce
c-Commerce: The Collaborative Electronic
Commerce Seminar 10-January-2003, Bangkok
Mr. Thomas Lee
Center for E-Commerce Infrastructure Development (CECID)
The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
http://www.cecid.hku.hk
10-Jan-03
10- Jan- C-Commerce Seminar, Bangkok 1

2. Agenda
E-Commerce Infrastructure
ebXML Development in Hong Kong
Open Source Software for
E-Commerce
Our R&D Model
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3. Agenda
E-Commerce Infrastructure
ebXML Development in Hong Kong
Open Source Software for
E-Commerce
Our R&D Model
10-Jan-03
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4. What is E-Commerce
Infrastructure?
Our definition:
“Technologies, standards, methodologies,
and practices that enhance
business-to-business interoperability
on electronic commerce”
Founded on mature Internet/Web
technology: HTTP, SMTP, PKI, etc.
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5. Three Dimensions
of E-Commerce
Messaging
Interoperability
Information
ss
ce
ro
P
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6. Messaging on Internet
Provides ‘lease line service quality’
on the Internet
– Security
– Reliability
Added values
– Low cost
– Global network
– Scalability
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7. Messaging Standards
Web Services
– Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP)
– Web Service Description Language (WSDL)
ebXML
– Message Service
Built on SOAP with attachment
– Collaboration Protocol Profile/Agreement
Similar to WSDL
RosettaNet Implementation Framework
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8. Information
Interoperability
Business data is exchanged in form of
electronic documents
Syntax: XML (for the Internet)
Semantics
– Synchronizes human and machine
understandings of business partners
– XML schemas, vocabularies, other metadata…
– XML schema languages: DTD, W3C XML Schema
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9. Business Languages
Universal Business Language (UBL)
– A library for common business documents, e.g. PO,
invoice, ASN for different industries
– Based on Core Component Methodology
XML Common Business Library (xCBL)
– Mature document library: rich and well-tested
– Will merge with UBL
RosettaNet Dictionaries
– For info tech supply chain application
UN/CEFACT Core Component Methodology
– A systematic approach to identify, capture, and maximize
the reuse of business information
– To model data requirements into syntax-independent data
models
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10. Process Interoperability
To interconnect business processes of
business partners
Internal workflow vs. B2B document
exchange
Process specification
– ebXML Business Process Specification Schema
(BPSS)
– Business Process Execution Language for Web
Services (BPEL4WS) by Microsoft, IBM, BEA
– RosettaNet Partner Interface Processes
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11. E-Commerce Registry
Enhances the three dimensions of
interoperability by registering and sharing
specs & info in a community
Enables business partners in a community
to find each other
Registry = index of things
Repository = storage of things
Technologies: ebXML Reg/Rep, UDDI
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12. Agenda
E-Commerce Infrastructure
ebXML Development in
Hong Kong
Open Source Software for
E-Commerce
Our R&D Model
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13. Project Phoenix – ebXML
Infrastructure in Hong Kong
To establish ebXML infrastructure in HK
Funded by the Innovation and
Technology Commission of HKSAR Govt
US$1.2M for 2 years (Jan2002 – Dec2003)
Executed by CECID with strong industry
sponsorship and collaboration
Principal Investigator: Dr. David Cheung
Project Manager: Mr. Thomas Lee
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14. R&D Products
Hermes – Message Service Handler
Business Router (TransXnet)
ebMail
ebXMLRR – ebXML Registry
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15. Hermes MSH &
Business Router
Hermes ebXML Message Service Handler
– Released on 13-Sep-2002
– First open-source MSH with RDBMS persistence to
support advanced ebMSv2 features, e.g. reliable
messaging
– Transferred to over 15+ organizations in HK
– Recorded downloads from 33+ countries
– Preparing for ebXML Asia Interoperability Test
Business Router
– Designed for large corporations to automate document
exchange according to BPSS/CPA
– Under design and planned to release V1 on Q2/03
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16. ebXML Registry (ebxmlrr)
Worked with OASIS Registry TC to complete V2
reference implementation
– Released alpha version in March
Released version to support spec v2.1 in Jul 2002
Published on FreebXML.org in 13-Sep-2002
Developing the implementation and spec of
Registry V3
Pilot ebxmlrr registries set up in US for healthcare
and automotive industries
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17. ebMail
For SMEs to conduct e-commerce, esp. with
large companies
Simple e-mail GUI for preparing and
exchanging biz docs through ebMSv2 over
SMTP (asynchronous mode)
Lightweight MSH requiring no dedicated
Internet connection and server
Extensible through plugins for different biz
docs and BPs
Signs and encrypts docs for authentication and
confidentiality
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18. 10-Jan-03
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19. Pilot Projects
E-procurement of office supplies
E-logistics on dangerous goods
manifest submission
Pharmaceutical import/export licensing
World Weather Information Services
10-Jan-03
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20. E-Procurement Pilot
MTRC – major HK subway system operator
Saggio – large office supplies supplier in Asia
MTRC procures office supplies from Saggio
End users purchase on SaggioDirect.com Website
Users located at over 200 offices in HK
Current situation
– Manual reconciliation and reentry of data from paper
delivery notes, invoices, and statements
– MTRC does not store any procurement data
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21. Automated Process
Deliver goods
Check &
approve
invoices
Buying on Web
Send
e-invoices
Receive with ebMS Prepare
e-invoices e-invoices
with ebMS (xCBL)
Extract
invoice
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data

22. Benefits
MTRC and Saggio will automate full
procurement cycle with ebXML Message
Service using Hermes MSH
MTRC can receive all procurement data for
planning and analysis
Will go production in Q1/03
Estimated saving of 5 man-days per month
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23. E-Logistics Pilot
A shipping company must submit a Dangerous
Goods Manifest to HKSAR Govt 48 hours before
the arrival of the vessel
Now: submission by Web (>90%) or paper
Future: system generation and submission of DG
Manifests through ebMSv2 (Hermes MSH)
Eliminated data entry through Web at carriers
XML Schema developed for DG manifest based on:
– ebXML Core Component Methodology
– IMDG by IMO (International Maritime Organization)
– IFTDGN EDIFACT message
Will finish system implementation in Q1/03
Plan to go production in Q2/03
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24. Shipping
Agents Paper submission
1
W
eb
su Marine
bm
2 iss Dept
io n
Internet
Hermes XML submission Hermes
MSH 3 ebXML Message Service MSH
over HTTPS on VPN
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25. Manual entry through ebMail for SME
Health
Dept
Pharm
Co. A
Internet Hermes
MSH
n
catio
ppl i n
n se a c eipt je ctio
Lice ion re l / re
Pharm l icat p rova
Co. B Ap p e -a p
Hermes s e pr
MSH Licen
Message generation for large enterprise
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26. 10-Jan-03
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27. HKSARG Interoperability
Framework
A collection of technical standards to follow when
implementing Government joined-up services
ebXML Message Service and Registry on the paper
CECID developing a set of XML Schema Design
and Management Guidelines for Government
joined-up services
To develop core schemas for reuse and store
them in a Government registry
Core schemas: HKID, business registration number,
vehicle license number, etc.
Is address a core schema?
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28. Technology Adoption
in Hong Kong
Early Late Majority
Majority
Early
Adopters Laggards
Messaging
Innovators Technology
Document
Technology
Process
Technology
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29. Agenda
E-Commerce Infrastructure
ebXML Development in Hong Kong
Open Source Software for
E-Commerce
Our R&D Model
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30. Open Source Software
(OSS)
OSS is software that users have unrestricted access
to the source code
OSS may be used, copied, and distributed with or
without modification, and may be offered with or
without a fee
OSS developers and distributors can make profits
on the provision of support and services
…
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31. OSS Licensing
Open Source Initiative (OSI)
– www.opensource.org
OSI Approved Licenses
– Academic Free License, Apache Software License, GNU
General Public License (GPL), Mozilla Public License
(MPL)…
Copyleft license (e.g. GPL, MPL)
– requires the source code must always be made available,
and that derived products must be released under the
exact same license
– i.e. derived products must also be open-sourced
– All Rights Reversed!
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32. FreebXML.org
An international initiative to promote ebXML adoption through
open-source software (OSS) and experience sharing
www.freebxml.org launched by CECID on 13-Sep-02
Steering Committee includes representatives from:
– Cyclone Commerce (USA)
– ECOM (Japan)
– Kasetsart University (Thailand)
– Korea Institute for Electronic Commerce (Korea)
– Sterling Commerce (USA)
– Sun Microsystems (USA)
– Sybase (USA)
– XML Global (Canada)
– University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China)
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33. 10-Jan-03
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34. FreebXML Features
OSS projects
– ebXML Registry: Apache-Style License
– Hermes MSH: Academic Free License
– Soliciting other new OSS projects
Deployment cases
Under construction
– Vendor product list
– Mailing lists
– Any other suggestions?
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35. Why We Open Source?
People around the
world are
voluntarily helping
debug the
software!
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36. OSS – Good Model for
E-Commerce Tech? (1)
Usually free of charge
– Boost adoption of new technologies and standards
– Easier to reach critical mass (create network effect)
Easier for OSS to interoperate with other products
– Based on open standards, more technology-neutral
– You can find out which side goes wrong by examining the
source code
More transparent software quality, more predictable
behavior
– The whole world helps test the product
– You know the software quality by monitoring the mailing
list and reviewing the code
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37. OSS – Good Model for
E-Commerce Tech? (2)
Move faster towards new open standards
– Less bureaucratic organization
– Shorter product cycle
Lack full product?
– Poorer GUI and system features (e.g. installation, system
backup…)
– Software vendors can add modules to complete OSS and
package it as a commercial product for sale
Lack support and maintenance?
– Rely on third party to provide support at charge
OSS products do not compete with commercial
products
– Vendors should leverage OSS and provide full products
and value-added services
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38. Worldwide Linux New License
Shipment and Upgrade Revenue
US$291M
300
250
200
150
100 US$81 M
50
0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Source: IDC
Revenue (US$M)
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39. Shipments of Purchased Licenses
and Free Licenses
1:1
25000
20000
15000
1.5:1
10000
5000
0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Free Licesnes ('000)
Source: IDC Purchased Licenses ('000)
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40. OSS Policy of UK Govt
“…OSS is indeed the start of a
fundamental change in the software
infrastructure marketplace, but it is
not a hype bubble that will burst and
UK Government must take cognisance
of that fact….”
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41. How Hong Kong SAR Govt
Sees OSS
“…the open source approach is expected to
benefit e-commerce development in Hong
Kong as the orderly release and sharing of source
code among developers will help align development
standards, make integration of applications easier,
and cut short the development cycle. We are
keeping an active interest in the development of
the open-source movement and welcome the
broadening of product choices in the market….”
– Mr. Alan Wong
Director of Information Technology Services Department,
HKSARG
10-Jan-03
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42. Web Server Market Share
Web infrastructure
– Apache – 62%
– Microsoft – 28% Source: Netcraft
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43. We predict market share for
e-com. servers will follow a
similar trend after open
standards become mature.
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44. This will lead to the
globalization of electronic
commerce.
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45. Agenda
E-Commerce Infrastructure
ebXML Development in Hong Kong
Open Source Software for
E-Commerce
Our R&D Model
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46. CECID
Center for E-Commerce Infrastructure
Development (CECID)
An R&D center at the University of HK
Our Mission
– To develop e-commerce enabling technologies
– To support local e-commerce standardization
– To participate in important international
e-commerce initiatives
– To transfer technology and skills to the
community
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47. Chasm-Crossing Strategy
Project
Phoenix
R&D Pilot Production
Products Projects Deployments
HK Lead
Projects / SIs
End
FreebXML.org Users
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48. Thank You!
Mr. Thomas Lee
ytlee@cecid.hku.hk
10-Jan-03
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