Sterling Commerce Joins Industry Leaders To Advance ebXML E-Marketplace Standard

Business Wire, Dec 12, 2000

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2000

Sterling Engineers Help Bring E-Business Into Reach for

Small Businesses Through Proof-of-Concept Testing for ebXML

Registry and Messaging Modules

Sterling Commerce, a wholly owned subsidiary of SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC), today joined other industry leaders to announce successful proof-of-concept testing for key automated registry and messaging specifications based on the ebXML standard.

Sterling Commerce engineers worked with colleagues from Sun Microsystems Inc., Interwoven Inc., Cisco Systems and XMLSolutions to successfully complete proof-of-concept testing for ebXML-based automated registry specifications, which will allow small and medium-size businesses to automatically configure their networks and software to conduct business online with specific trading partners.

ebXML is an evolutionary standard, based on widely used Internet technologies, that is designed specifically to provide a means for businesses of all sizes to conduct business online. It is a joint initiative of the United Nations and OASIS, the international, not-for-profit consortium that advances electronic business by promoting open, collaborative development of interoperability specifications.

Sterling also is working with ebXML partners to develop and test specifications for a second critical module of the standard: integration of real-time ebXML messaging with back-end customer systems. These specifications will allow businesses to automatically query databases maintained by trading partners to determine product availability, pricing and other transaction information.

"Sterling's mission is to help businesses easily and efficiently realize the benefits of e-business, and support of emerging standards like ebXML is a key element of that effort," said Sam Starr, executive vice president, development, Sterling Commerce. "The ebXML standard will provide a critical link to allow smaller businesses to tap into e-marketplaces. We are pleased to be playing a role in its rapid evolution."

As development and testing continue, Sterling is working to incorporate ebXML functionality into its portfolio of solutions for e-marketplace development, e-business integration and e-business consulting. Sterling expects to offer customers ebXML messaging functionality in the second half of 2001.

Upon completion, ebXML will provide an end-to-end solution allowing small- and medium-size companies worldwide to conduct business online. The standard is being developed in modules that allow businesses to incorporate individual elements for specific e-business functionality.

About Sterling Commerce

Sterling Commerce, a wholly owned subsidiary of SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC), is a worldwide leading provider of e-business solutions for businesses of all sizes. The company provides a comprehensive suite of software and services designed to support the interaction of customers, suppliers, business partners and employees through its e-marketplace, e-business integration and e-business consulting solutions. For more information, visit the Sterling Commerce Web site at www.sterlingcommerce.com.

All products or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only, and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Sterling Commerce and ebXML Fact Sheet

-- ebXML is a rapidly evolving standard designed to enable anyone, anywhere to
do business with anyone else over the Internet.

-- ebXML is based on Internet technology, which makes it simple and inexpensive
to deploy and use, and global in scope.

-- ebXML ultimately will be an end-to-end solution for e-business
communication, but it is modular in scope. Pieces of ebXML are ready for
business use today.

-- Sterling Commerce is playing a key role in development and proof-of-concept
testing for ebXML.

-- Sterling worked with other industry leaders to test ebXML registry
specifications.

-- Sterling is working with other industry leaders to develop and test
specifications for real-time ebXML messaging with back-end customer systems.

-- ebXML-based registry services will allow small and medium businesses to
automatically configure their networks and software to conduct business with
specific trading partners, eliminating a significant barrier to e-marketplace
participation.

-- Most businesses today must manually configure registry services, a task
requiring significant time and expertise that most small businesses do not
have.

-- Integration of real-time ebXML messaging with back-end customer systems will
allow businesses to automatically query databases maintained by trading
partners to determine product availability, pricing and other transaction
information.

SOURCE: Sterling Commerce