CIQ TC MEETING MINUTES

DATE: SATURDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 2004
TIME: 12:00PM EST, AUSTRALIA 
TYPE: CONFERENCE CALL

Attendees:
- Joe Lunenow, USA
- Rob Beauchamp, USA
- Colin Wallis, New Zealand
- Scott Schumarcher, USA
- Ram Kumar, Australia

Apologies:
- Hido Hasimbegovic, Australia
- Mark Meadows, USA
- John Glaubitz, USA (could not dial in)
- Michael Roytman, USA (could not dial-in)

Absentees:
- David Webber, USA
- Max Voskob, New Zealand


The meeting started at 12:01pm, Sydney time.

Joe mentioned about his attendance to the UPU summit in October and November this year.
Ram mentioned that UPU did send himan email a while ago seeking interest to work with the
CIQ TC. Ram requested Joe to discuss about the work of CIQ TC during his UPU summit.

The attendees were happy with the CIQ charter. Joe raised some spelling corrections needed
and Ram promised to look into it. Rob suggested to add the role CIQ can play in other standard
groups that use customer information specs. and to add this to the charter document. 

Rob also suggested the importance of promoting CIQ specs. in every possible way that will 
attract wider acceptance. Ram mentioned how many organisations that use CIQ specs. do not
want to publicise its usage for various reasons. 

General discussions were on whether CIQ specs. should be follow theSchema Naming and Design
rules of UBL and the concern is its limitation to UBL and may be, ebXML and it could therefore,
be limiting the use of CIQ specs. by many. Ram mentioned that Michael Roytman is having a go at
the xNL schema by applying the NDR.

Colin raised the issue of having #any other elements that makes it hard to achieve interopera-
bility. Discussions were around the free formatted text line and attributes without fixed 
values that makes it harder to achieve interoperability. The suggestion is to minimise these
variables as much as possible. 

The issue of backward compatability between xNALV3.0 and xNAL V2.0 was raised by Joe and
Ram mentioned that they are not as the schema structures are different. For example, xNAL
V2.0 is a hierarchical structure (particularly address) and V3.0 is a flat structure.
Colin mentioned that the idea of using flat structure will simplify the implemenation.
Colin mentioned that the NZ e-Govt. defined a customised version of xNAL V2.0 specifications,
but his personal view is not to use the customised version as it does not make it a standard and
instead, look at using the V3.0 specs.

Ram pointed out that he has downloaded all the address examples (for about 180+ countries)
from the Universal Postal Union web page and will be using them as examples as part of 
xAL V3.0 specifications. Joe said that it is a good idea and will catch the attention of 
UPU.

Colin mentioned that he has many ideas on improving the specs. and will compile a list and
circulate that to the CIQ TC as a working draft with action items and responsibilities.
Rob agreed to start discussion on our mailing list regarding ideas to promote the CIQ specs. 

ACTION ITEMS:
- Colin to circulate the ideas on improving the CIQ Specs.
- Rob to start discussions on promoting the CIQ specs.
- Ram to make changes to the charter as recommended and call for voting via email
- Joe to mention about CIQ TC and its work on address standards to the appropriate 
  people at the UPU summit.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:35pm, Sydney time.