A new OASIS technical committee is being formed. The Business Transactions Technical Committee has been proposed by Rocky Stewart, BEA Systems (chair); Pal Takacsi-Nagy, BEA Systems; Frederick Carter, Sun Microsystems; and Mark Hale, Interwoven. To become a member of this new TC you must notify Rocky Stewart (rocky.stewart@bea.com), the committee chair, of your interest at least 15 days prior to the first meeting and then you must participate in the first meeting on March 13, 2001. You should also subscribe to the TC’s discussion list. (For the procedure for joining after the first meeting see the TC process at http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/process.shtml.) The mail list business-transaction@lists.oasis-open.org is for committee discussions. TC members as well as any other interested OASIS members should subscribe to the list. Do this by sending a message to business-transaction-request@lists.oasis-open.org with the word “subscribe” as the body of the message. (Note that subscribing to the mail list does not make you a member of the TC; to become a member you must contact the TC chair as described in the preceding paragraph.) Business Transactions Committee Proposal BEA Systems, a member of OASIS, proposes to start a Technical Committee in OASIS to develop technology for business transactions on the Internet. Long lasting business transactions spanning multiple enterprises pose a unique challenge to B2B systems. The interdependent workflows managed among multiple trading partners, which drive business transactions, need to be coordinated to ensure that the outcome of the transaction is reliable. As an initial input, BEA intends to offer a specification for our Business Transaction Protocol (BTP), which provides this functionality and is implemented in our Weblogic Collaborate product. BTP is an eXtensible Markup Language (XML)-based protocol for representing and seamlessly managing complex, multi-step business-to-business (B2B) transactions over the Internet. The protocol allows complex XML message exchanges to be tracked and managed as loosely coupled “conversations” between and among businesses. BTP goes beyond the problem domain currently being addressed by ebXML and is independent of transport protocols and messaging frameworks. We believe that it can be layered on any underlying transport mechanism including ebXML Messaging, RosettaNet, or XML-PC (SOAP). The purpose of this committee is: * To develop an agreed to set of requirements for a business transaction protocol * To evaluate the BEA technology submission and other available technologies made available to the committee and determine their suitability to the requirements identified by the committee * To produce a final specification for a business transaction protocol which works in conjunction with existing business messaging standards, particularly those being developed in the ebXML initiative BEA will make its detailed submission available by the end of February 2001, before the first meeting, and will make a presentation describing the proposed BTP technology at the first meeting. An initial schedule for the committee is summarized below: * January 19, 2001 – OASIS issues Call for Participation * March 13, 2001 – First Meeting to be hosted by BEA Systems at our San Jose headquarters * April 30, 2001 – Initial Requirements Document ready for review * May 31, 2001 – First Specification Draft available for review * July 31, 2001 – Final Specification Draft available for Version 1.0 We propose to set the detailed schedule at the first meeting of the committee to accommodate the needs of the members, including dates for conference calls (most likely bi-weekly) and at most two additional face-to-face meetings (one in the middle of the schedule and the latter to review the final draft). BEA Systems will host the first meeting in San Jose, California on March 13, 2001. For those unable to travel to San Jose, a dial-in number will be provided. BEA will assume responsibility for the setup of conference calls as required. The TC will conduct its business in English. The initial committee membership will be as follows: * Rocky Stewart, BEA Systems (chair) – rocky.stewart@bea.com * Pal Takacsi-Nagy, BEA Systems – – pal.takacsi@bea.com * Frederick Carter, Sun Microsystems – frederick.carter@sun.com * Mark Hale, Interwoven – mark.hale@interwoven.com ###

Boston, MA, USA; January 17, 2001 – Organizations supporting divergent security standards united in an effort to develop a common XML specification through the OASIS Security Services Technical Committee. OASIS, the global XML interoperability consortium, hosted the first meeting of its new technical committee, which will define an XML framework for exchanging authentication and authorization information. Initially formed within OASIS to complete the S2ML security standard, the new committee agreed to accept submissions of other relevant technologies, including AuthXML. “Our goal is to work together to advance a common security standard,” said Eve Maler of Sun Microsystems, chair of the OASIS Security Services Technical Committee. “Everyone agrees that consensus is critical. Through its open technical process, OASIS provides the safe environment necessary for real collaboration.” “The result of our work at OASIS will be a single security services standard that will be widely accepted in the industry,” predicted Marc Chanliau of Netegrity. “We brought S2ML to OASIS with that objective in mind, and we’re confident that the technical committee has the critical mass to achieve our goal.” “Supporters of AuthXML welcome the opportunity to work within OASIS for the good of true interoperability and the XML community at large,” commented Eric Olden of Securant Technologies. “By channeling the momentum of AuthXML into the committee, we look forward to advancing the development of a common, unified standard.” The OASIS Security Services Technical Committee includes representatives from Baltimore Technologies, Cisco, Commerce One, DataChannel, Entegrity, Entrust, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Jamcracker, Netegrity, Oblix, OpenNetwork, Securant, SilverStream, Sun Microsytems, Tivoli, Verisign, Vordel and WebMethods. Membership is expected to increase in the coming months. “Interest in advancing this work is extremely high,” said Karl Best, director of technical operations for OASIS. He added that record numbers of companies and individuals have joined the Consortium specifically to participate in developing a common security standard. The technical committee plans to publish draft specifications by June 2001 and to submit a formal specification to the OASIS membership by September 2001. Norbert Mikula of DataChannel, member of the OASIS Board of Directors and chair of its technical advisory committee, characterized the development schedule as, “very aggressive.” He advised, “Any organization affected by the issue of security should get involved now.” About OASIS OASIS (http://www.oasis-open.org/) is the international, not-for-profit consortium that advances electronic business by promoting open, collaborative development of interoperability specifications. OASIS operates XML.ORG, the non-commercial portal that delivers information on the use of XML in industry. The XML.ORG Registry provides as an open community clearinghouse for distributing and locating XML application schemas, vocabularies and related documents. OASIS serves as the home for industry groups and organizations interested in developing XML specifications. OASIS sponsors include Adobe Systems, Access360, Aerospatiale, AND Data Solutions, Arbortext, Auto-trol, Aventail, Baltimore Technologies, B-Bop Associates, BEA Systems, Bentley Systems, Boeing, Bowstreet, Bridge, Chrystal Software, Cohesia, Commerce One, DataChannel, Dataloom, Defense Information Services Agency, Deutsche Post AG, Documentum, EADS Airbus, eCredit.com, empolis, Enigma, Excelergy, eXcelon, Extensibility, Extricity, First Call, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, icomXpress, Informix, Infoteria, Interwoven, IPNet Solutions, ISOGEN, ITEDO, Jamcracker, JetForm, Logistics Management Institute, Mediaplex, Mercator Software, Micrografx, Microsoft, Netegrity, Netfish, Netscape/AOL, NextPage, NII Enterprise Promotion Association, Nimble Technology, NIST, ObjectSpace, Pick Systems, Pearson Education, Popkin Software, ProNet Technology, Reuters, Sabre, SAP, Sequoia Software, SilverStream Software, SoftQuad, Software AG, StreamServe, Sun Microsystems, Tamalpais Group, Thomas Technology Solutions, TIBCO, Virtual Access Networks, Visa, Wavo, webMethods, Whitehill Technologies, Xerox, XML Global, XMLSolutions and XyEnterprise. For more information: Carol Geyer Director of Communications OASIS carol.geyer@oasis-open.org +1 978.667.5115 x209 ###

San Francisco, CA; December 12, 2000– The United Nations CEFACT and OASIS today announced that the core technical infrastructure of ebXML, the Electronic Business XML Initiative, nears completion and will be delivered in March 2001, two months ahead of schedule. The technical specifications for the transport, routing and packaging (TRP), trading partner agreements (TPA), and registry/repository (REG/REP) components of ebXML provide the required pieces to ensure interoperability based on XML standards for global business on the Internet. Enterprises are demanding a standards-based framework for global trading, and developers are demanding the availability of an open, business-quality architecture that they can begin evaluating and implementing now. Progress on the 18-month ebXML initiative has been so substantial, organizers agreed to move the delivery date forward to meet this demand. At a recent ebXML meeting in Tokyo, hundreds of organizations from Asia, Australia, Europe and North America gathered to advance the development of ebXML. As a highlight of this meeting and a ratification of this decision, sixteen companies collaborated in an interactive proof-of-concept demonstration of the ebXML technical infrastructure. “The ebXML specifications for transport, routing and packaging, trading partner agreements and registry/repository are stable and ready for evaluation and early adoption. This is great news for Web developers who want to get a jumpstart on creating electronic commerce applications built on global standards,” said Klaus-Dieter Naujok, chair of ebXML and member of the UN/CEFACT Steering Group. “We are very excited to report our progress is significantly ahead of schedule and that we are in a position to deliver the ebXML technical infrastructure in 90 days.” Strong Vendor Participation in ebXML Standard Development Means Success Cisco, Fujistu, IBM, Interwoven, IPNet, Netfish Technologies, NTT Communications, Savvion, Sterling Commerce, Sun Microsystems, TIE, Viquity and XMLSolutions collaborated to build an interactive implementation of ebXML interoperability. In addition, Extol, webMethods and XML Global tracked the POC event closely and indicated that they would be interested in participating in future ebXML events. The demonstration, which was presented in North America for the first time today at a media event in San Francisco, showed how businesses can use ebXML to dynamically formulate trading partnerships through a registry service and exchange electronic business transactions using a consistent XML-based messaging infrastructure. The ebXML demonstration showed dynamic business transactions using payloads from the Automotive Industry Action Group. “These vendors, many of whom are competitors, came together to prove that one of ebXML core strength’s is interoperability”, said Robert S. Sutor, Ph.D. of IBM, vice chair of ebXML and member of the OASIS Board of Directors. “Early completion of the ebXML technical infrastructure will pave the way for rapid availability of multiple commercial integrated ebXML-compliant solutions. These will reduce the costs of deployment and ensure the flexibility required for e-commerce success in the global market.” About ebXML ebXML (www.ebXML.org) is an International Initiative established by UN/CEFACT and OASIS in late 1999 with a mandate to undertake an 18-month program of work to research and identify the technical basis upon which the global implementation of XML (Extensible Markup Language) can be standardized. The goal of ebXML is to facilitate open trade between organizations regardless of size by enabling XML to be used in a consistent manner to exchange electronic business data. About UN/CEFACT UN/CEFACT (www.uncefact.org) is the United Nations body whose mandate covers worldwide policy and technical development in the area of trade facilitation and electronic business. Headquartered in Geneva, it has developed and promoted many tools for the facilitation of global business processes including UN/EDIFACT, the international EDI standard. Its current work programme includes such topics as Simpl-edi and Object Oriented EDI and it strongly supports the development and implementation of open, interoperable global standards and specifications for electronic business. About OASIS OASIS (http://www.oasis-open.org) is the international, not-for-profit consortium that advances electronic business by promoting open, collaborative development of interoperability specifications. OASIS sponsors include Adobe Systems, Aerospatiale, AND Data Solutions, Arbortext, B-Bop Associates, BEA Systems, Bentley Systems, Boeing, Bowstreet, Bridge, Chrystal Software, Cohesia, Commerce One, DataChannel, Dataloom, Defense Information Services Agency, Deutsche Post AG, Documentum, EADS Matra, eCredit.com, empolis, Enigma, Excelergy, eXcelon, Extensibility, Extricity Software, First Call, IBM, icomXpress, Informix, Infoteria, Interwoven, IPNet Solutions, ISOGEN, ITEDO, Jamcracker, JetForm, Logistics Management Institute, Mediaplex, Mercator Software, Micrografx, Microsoft, Netegrity, Netfish, NextPage, NII Enterprise Promotion Association, Nimble Technology, NIST, ObjectSpace, Pick Systems, Pearson Education, Popkin Software, ProNet Technology, Reuters, Sabre, SAP, Sequoia Software, SoftQuad, Software AG, StreamServe, Sun Microsystems, Thomas Technology Solutions, TIBCO, Virtual Access Networks, Visa, Wavo, webMethods, Whitehill Technologies, Xerox, XML Global, XMLSolutions and XyEnterprise. For more information: Carol Geyer Director of Communications OASIS carol.geyer@oasis-open.org +1 978.667.5115 x209

Washington, DC; December 6, 2000 — OASIS, the interoperability consortium, today announced that it has begun development of XML standards for security information and services on the Internet. The newly formed OASIS XML-Based Security Services Technical Committee (TC) will define a common language for sharing security information about transactions and end users between companies engaged in online B2B and B2B2C commerce. “Currently, it is difficult to ensure the absolute security of Internet transactions across companies. Businesses need a universal method to assure only users with proper authorization access and execute transactions,” explained Karl Best, director of technical operations at OASIS. “OASIS has taken on this development effort to produce a standard, open framework that will enable secure interoperability across company boundaries and heterogeneous platforms.” Christian Byrnes, vice president of security strategy at META Group, said, “Almost all e-commerce involves multiple business partners at some level. The lack of security standards has resulted in difficult, complex, and insecure implementations. A successful standard for integrating security across business partners will make e-commerce faster and less expensive to deploy and more secure at the same time.” The OASIS XML-Based Security Services TC initially plans to base its work on the Security Services Markup Language (S2ML), a joint development effort of Art Technology Group, Bowstreet, Commerce One, Jamcracker, Netegrity, Oracle, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sun Microsystems, VeriSign, TIBCO and webMethods. “We chose to develop XML security specifications within the OASIS, because we wanted to ensure that S2ML became an open industry standard in order to universally solve the problem of securing inter-site business transactions,” said Marc Chanliau of Netegrity, chair of the OASIS XML-Based Security Services TC. “Security is an issue that affects every business engaged in electronic commerce,” noted Norbert Mikula of DataChannel, chair of the technical advisory committee and member of the OASIS Board of Directors. “We encourage all organizations and individuals interested in security issues to participate in this OASIS development.” About OASIS OASIS (http://www.oasis-open.org) is the international, not-for-profit consortium that advances electronic business by promoting open, collaborative development of interoperability specifications. With the United Nations, OASIS sponsors ebXML, a global framework for electronic business data exchange. OASIS operates XML.ORG, the non-commercial portal that delivers information on the use of XML in industry. The XML.ORG Registry provides as an open community clearinghouse for distributing and locating XML application schemas, vocabularies and related documents. OASIS serves as the home for industry groups interested in developing XML specifications. OASIS technical work embraces conformance, repositories and other interoperability issues. OASIS sponsors include Adobe Systems, Aerospatiale, AND Data Solutions, Arbortext, B-Bop Associates, BEA Systems, Bentley Systems, Boeing, Bowstreet, Bridge, Chrystal Software, Cohesia, Commerce One, DataChannel, Dataloom, Defense Information Services Agency, Deutsche Post AG, Documentum, EADS Matra, eCredit.com, empolis, Enigma, Excelergy, eXcelon, Extensibility, Extricity Software, First Call, IBM, Informix, Infoteria, Interwoven, IPNet Solutions, ISOGEN, ITEDO, Jamcracker, JetForm, Keyfile, Logistics Management Institute, Mediaplex, Mercator Software, Micrografx, Microsoft, Netegrity, Netfish, NextPage, NII Enterprise Promotion Association, Nimble Technology, NIST, ObjectSpace, Pick Systems, Pearson Education, Popkin Software, ProNet Technology, Reuters, Sabre, SAP, Sequoia Software, SoftQuad, Software AG, StreamServe, Sun Microsystems, Thomas Technology Solutions, TIBCO, Virtual Access Networks, Visa, Wavo, webMethods, Whitehill Technologies, Xerox, XML Global, XMLSolutions and XyEnterprise. For more information: Carol Geyer Director of Communications OASIS carol.geyer@oasis-open.org Voice: +1 978.667.5115 x209 ###

The interested public is invited to attend a reception with OASIS members from around the world. This is a great opportunity to network with the leaders in the XML world and learn more about OASIS, its technical committees and how you and your organization can benefit from membership. You do not have to be a member to attend this informal event. However, anyone joining OASIS at XML World 2000 will receive a special gift. Wednesday, December 6 7 – 8pm Delaware B Room Marriott Wardman Park Hotel Washington, DC ###

OASIS holds Public Information Meetings of Some of the Most Popular Technical Committees at XML 2000

OASIS is holding public informational meetings for several technical committees. You do not have to be a member of OASIS to attend these sessions, which are intended to be a public forum. We encourage everyone’s input to the Technical Committee to ensure the broadest possible spectrum of users’ input is considered in the TC process.

All meetings are at the XML World Conference Marriott Wardman Park Hotel Washington, DC.

DocBook Technical Committee

7-9pm

Tuesday December 4

Park Tower Suite 8228

Customer Information Quality Technical Committee

8-9pm

Wednesday December 5

Park Tower Suite 8212

XSLT Technical Committee

8-10pm

Wednesday December 5

Park Tower Suite 8228

###

London, England; October 19, 2000 – OASIS, the XML interoperability consortium, introduced two new technical committees (TCs), as part of its expanded process for the development of industrial XML standards. The Consortium added the OASIS Customer Information Quality TC for customer profile management and the OASIS Entity Resolution TC for XML tools development. These TCs are expected to be the first in a series of new OASIS technical programs to develop XML application standards both for ubiquitous business functions as well as for specific industries. “OASIS is the best forum available for developing cross-industry XML application standards,” said Norbert Mikula of DataChannel, chief technical officer of OASIS. “The Consortium brings together the best minds in the XML community in a non-competitive arena to advance the state of the industry at large. It has the resources and the expertise to develop standards for solving critical business problems with XML.” Lauren Wood of SoftQuad Software, chair of the new OASIS Entity Resolution TC, agreed, “Members of OASIS recognize the importance of having forums for the discussion, development, and promotion of XML-related standards. The Entity Resolution TC is a good example, since it will update the successful and widely implemented OASIS catalog mechanism that was developed for SGML, and apply it to XML.” While these new OASIS TCs address broad applications of XML and are intended for use across many industries, the Consortium’s expanded technical agenda also focuses on specific business segments. “Under the Consortium’ s new model of technical committee organization, vertical industry groups are now free to develop XML standards within OASIS,” said Karl Best, director of technical operations at OASIS. “We invite those interested in developing XML industry standards to discover the benefits of working within the Consortium.” About OASIS OASIS (http://www.oasis-open.org) is the world’s largest independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the standardization of XML applications. In addition to its technical work on areas as varied as XML conformance and XML repository standards, OASIS hosts several independent initiatives. ebXML (http://www.ebxml.org) is a joint effort of the United Nations CEFACT and OASIS to establish a global framework that will enable XML to be used in a consistent manner for the exchange of all electronic business data. CGM Open (http://www.cgmopen.org), is a consortium within OASIS dedicated to advancing CGM and other web graphics standards. The XML Cover Pages (http://www.oasis-open.org/cover) is widely regarded as the most comprehensive online reference work for XML and other structured information standards. OASIS also hosts the XML.ORG Registry (http://xml.org/registry), the open community clearinghouse of XML application schemas. OASIS sponsors include Adobe Systems, Aerospatiale, AND Data Solutions, Arbortext, Auto-trol Technology, B-Bop Associates, BEA Systems, Bentley Systems, Boeing, Bowstreet, Bridge, BroadVision, Chrystal Software, Cohesia, Commerce One, DataChannel, Dataloom, Deutsche Post AG, DMSi, Documentum, eCredit.com, Enigma, Excelergy, eXcelon, Extensibility, Extricity Software, First Call, IBM, InformIT, Informix, Infoteria, Interwoven, IPNet Solutions, ISOGEN, ITEDO, JetForm, Keyfile, Logistics Management Institute, Mediaplex, Mercator Software, Micrografx, Microsoft, Netfish, NextPage, NII Enterprise Promotion Association, Nimble Technology, NIST, ObjectSpace, Oracle Corporation, Pick Systems, ProNet Technology, Reuters, Sabre, SAP, Sequoia Software, SoftQuad, Software AG, STEP, StreamServe, Sun Microsystems, Synth-Bank, Visa, Wavo, Webb Interactive Services, webMethods, Whitehill Technologies, Xerox, XML Global, XMLSolutions and XyEnterprise. For more information: Carol Geyer Media Relations Consultant OASIS carol.geyer@oasis-open.org +1 978.667.5115 x209 ###

London, England; October 18, 2000-OASIS, the XML interoperability consortium, introduced two new technical committees (TCs), as part of its expanded process for the development of industrial XML standards. The Consortium added the OASIS Customer Information Quality TC for customer profile management and the OASIS Entity Resolution TC for XML tools development. These TCs are expected to be the first in a series of new OASIS technical programs to develop XML application standards both for ubiquitous business functions as well as for specific industries. “OASIS is the best forum available for developing cross-industry XML application standards,” said Norbert Mikula of DataChannel, chief technical officer of OASIS. “The Consortium brings together the best minds in the XML community in a non-competitive arena to advance the state of the industry at large. It has the resources and the expertise to develop standards for solving critical business problems with XML.” Lauren Wood of SoftQuad Software, chair of the new OASIS Entity Resolution TC, agreed, “Members of OASIS recognize the importance of having forums for the discussion, development, and promotion of XML-related standards. The Entity Resolution TC is a good example, since it will update the successful and widely implemented OASIS catalog mechanism that was developed for SGML, and apply it to XML.” While these new OASIS TCs address broad applications of XML and are intended for use across many industries, the Consortium’s expanded technical agenda also focuses on specific business segments. “Under the Consortium’s new model of technical committee organization, vertical industry groups are now free to develop XML standards within OASIS,” said Karl Best, director of technical operations at OASIS. “We invite those interested in developing XML industry standards to discover the benefits of working within the Consortium.” About OASIS OASIS is the world’s largest independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the standardization of XML applications. In addition to its technical work on areas as varied as XML conformance and XML repository standards, OASIS hosts several independent initiatives. ebXML is a joint effort of the United Nations CEFACT and OASIS to establish a global framework that will enable XML to be used in a consistent manner for the exchange of all electronic business data. CGM Open, is a consortium within OASIS dedicated to advancing CGM and other web graphics standards. The XML Cover Pages is widely regarded as the most comprehensive online reference work for XML and other structured information standards. OASIS also hosts the XML.ORG Registry, the open community clearinghouse of XML application schemas. OASIS sponsors include Adobe Systems, Aerospatiale, AND Data Solutions, Arbortext, Auto-trol Technology, B-Bop Associates, BEA Systems, Bentley Systems, Boeing, Bowstreet, Bridge, BroadVision, Chrystal Software, Cohesia, Commerce One, DataChannel, Dataloom, Deutsche Post AG, DMSi, Documentum, eCredit.com, Enigma, Excelergy, eXcelon, Extensibility, Extricity Software, First Call, IBM, InformIT, Informix, Infoteria, Interwoven, IPNet Solutions, ISOGEN, ITEDO, JetForm, Keyfile, Logistics Management Institute, Mediaplex, Mercator Software, Micrografx, Microsoft, Netfish, NextPage, NII Enterprise Promotion Association, Nimble Technology, NIST, ObjectSpace, Oracle Corporation, Pick Systems, ProNet Technology, Reuters, Sabre, SAP, Sequoia Software, SoftQuad, Software AG, STEP, StreamServe, Sun Microsystems, Synth-Bank, Visa, Wavo, Webb Interactive Services, webMethods, Whitehill Technologies, Xerox, XML Global, XMLSolutions and XyEnterprise. For more information: Carol Geyer Media Relations Consultant OASIS carol.geyer@oasis-open.org +1 978.667.5115 x209 ###

Boston, MA and Lexington, MA, USA (October 12, 2000) – Excelergy Corporation today announced that it has become a sponsor of the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) to promote the industry-wide acceptance of XML standards for open electronic data exchange among retail energy companies. Excelergy, a provider of e-infrastructure technology to the restructuring energy marketplace, first proposed a set of XML (eXtensible Markup Language) standards for the retail energy industry in October 1999 named Partner Interface Processes for Energy (PIPE). “The Internet is becoming the primary means of business-to-business communication in the retail energy industry, and XML in particular is emerging as the key to open, efficient web-based data transactions,” said Chris Cazer, vice president of Development and Chief Technology Officer at Excelergy. “Excelergy is committed to working collaboratively with OASIS and other industry participants in the effort to standardize electronic communications within the retail energy marketplace.” By publishing PIPE and supporting OASIS, Excelergy opens the door to industry discussion about the most efficient ways for retail energy companies to communicate electronically via the Internet. In the absence of universally accepted standards, utilities and energy companies all along the generation, transmission and distribution chain have been forced to manage widely varying forms of business-to-business data exchange, leading to inefficiencies, errors and higher transaction costs. “We’re enthusiastic about Excelergy’s participation in OASIS,” said Laura Walker, executive director of OASIS. “Excelergy’s expertise in web-based data exchange in the energy marketplace, and their contributions and input will help OASIS promote the adoption of XML standards in the retail energy industry.” Excelergy created its core products – billing and customer care software and trading partner data transaction management software – with energy industry restructuring in mind. While this software supports the EDI-based standards in place in a number of markets today, it is designed to fully leverage the emerging trend of using XML as the standard protocol for electronic data exchange. Sharing its knowledge and expertise in promoting efficient standards in the retail energy market, Excelergy will also benefit from OASIS’ experience in advancing XML in other industries. About OASIS OASIS (http://www.oasis-open.org) is the world’s largest independent consortium dedicated to XML application standards. With the United Nations, OASIS sponsors ebXML, a global framework for electronic business data exchange. OASIS hosts XML.ORG Registry, the open community clearinghouse for application schemas. OASIS technical committees advance XML conformance, repositories and other vital issues. OASIS sponsors include Adobe Systems, Aerospatiale, AND Data Solutions, Arbortext, Auto-trol Technology, B-Bop Associates, BEA Systems, Bentley Systems, Boeing, Bowstreet, Bridge, BroadVision, Chrystal Software, Cohesia, Commerce One, DataChannel, Dataloom, Deutsche Post AG, DMSi, Documentum, eCredit.com, Enigma, Excelergy, eXcelon, Extensibility, Extricity Software, First Call, IBM, InformIT, Informix, Infoteria, Interwoven, IPNet Solutions, ISOGEN, ITEDO, JetForm, Keyfile, Logistics Management Institute, Mediaplex, Mercator Software, Micrografx, Microsoft, Netfish, NextPage, NII Enterprise Promotion Association, Nimble Technology, NIST, ObjectSpace, Oracle Corporation, Pick Systems, ProNet Technology, Reuters, Sabre, SAP, Sequoia Software, SoftQuad, Software AG, STEP, StreamServe, Sun Microsystems, Synth-Bank, Visa, Wavo, Webb Interactive Services, webMethods, Whitehill Technologies, Xerox, XML Global, XMLSolutions and XyEnterprise. About Excelergy Excelergy delivers complete e-infrastructure solutions to retail energy companies operating in the global energy market. Excelergy’s innovative suite of EDI- and XML-enabled products includes Excelergy ABP™ 3000 customer billing and information system, the Excelergy eXACT™ family of business-to-business transaction management solutions, and the web-based Energymarketplace energy portal. Headquartered in Lexington, MA, Excelergy also has U.S. offices in Santa Monica, CA and Atlanta, GA. More information including office addresses is available at http://www.excelergy.com. Contact: Carol Geyer Media Relations Consultant OASIS carol.geyer@oasis-open.org +1 978.667.5115 x209 Jay O’Brien Excelergy jobrien@rasky.com +1.617-443-9933 ext. 353 ###

Leading OASIS members have proposed the Entity Resolution Technical Committee, the goals and purpose are shown at the end of this announcement. The initial member group is comprised of Lauren Wood, SoftQuad Software Inc.; Norman Walsh, Sun Microsystems; Paul Grosso, Arbortext, Inc.; and John Cowan, Reuters Health. The request for a new TC meets the requirements of the OASIS TC process, and is attached below. The purpose and goals of the committee are below. To become a member of this new TC you should notify Lauren Wood, the committee chair, of your interest, and participate in the first meeting. For the procedure for joining after the first meeting see the TC process at http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/process.shtml Name of TC: Entity Resolution TC. Statement of Purpose: The objective of the Entity Resolution TC is to provide facilities to address issue A of the OASIS catalog specification (TR 9401). These facilities will take into account new XML features and delete those features of TR 9401 that are only applicable to SGML, as well as those features applicable only to issue B in TR 9401. Deliverables: The Entity Resolution TC will produce a Committee Specification that uses XML syntax and provides a DTD (potentially also an XML Schema) for that syntax. This specification will be ready by August 2001. The Entity Resolution TC intends to submit the Committee Specification as an OASIS Standard after sufficient implementation experience has been gathered. The Entity Resolution TC will conduct its business in English. The Entity Resolution TC will meet by telephone on alternate Monday afternoons at 2 pm Pacific time, starting on November 27, 2000. Meetings will last for one hour. The Entity Resolution TC will not hold face-to-face meetings. Meetings will not be held on public holidays that affect the majority of the participants. The OASIS PEOTCPs that are committed to the meeting schedule are Lauren Wood, SoftQuad Software Inc. Norman Walsh, Sun Microsystems, Inc. Paul Grosso, Arbortext, Inc. John Cowan, Reuters Health The chair of the Entity Resolution TC will be Lauren Wood of SoftQuad Software Inc. The telephone bridge will be sponsored by Sun Microsystems, Inc. Since there are no face-to-face meetings, there are no face-to-face meeting sponsors. Lauren Wood Director of Product Technology SoftQuad Software Inc. ###

OASIS members propose new Technical Committee to address Customer Information Quality

A second new OASIS technical committee is being formed today. The Customer Information Quality TC has been proposed by Ram Kumar, Cognito, Inc; Vincent Buller, AND Data Solutions; John Bennett, Parlo.com; and Graham Lobsey, Cognito, Inc. The request for a new TC meets the requirements of the OASIS TC process, and is attached below. The purpose and goals of the committee are below.

To become a member of this new TC you should notify Ram Kummar, the committee chair, of your interest, and participate in the first meeting. For the procedure for joining after the first meeting see the TC process at http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/process.shtml

TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON CUSTOMER INFORMATION QUALITY

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The objective of the Technical Committee (TC) on Customer Information Quality (CIQ) formed by OASIS is to deliver XML standards for customer profile/information management to the industry. Research tells us that it is much more cost effective to retain and invest in our existing customer base than to build or buy market share. One customer lost through ineffective marketing means a massive expenditure on acquiring new customers to make up the lost revenue. This is more apparent as we move into the e-business environment. The Internet has created the need to rethink the issue of customer profile/information management for many, if not most, large organisations. In the highly competitive world being driven by dot-coms, organisations have to provide customers, vendors, and potential employees with accurate, up-to-date on-line information. Customer data forms the foundation to build effective customer relationships. To be effective, customer data must meet the highest possible standards of both quality and integrity. Therefore, customer information/profile management is critical.

Many XML standards have been developed for various applications. But despite the realisation by organisations on the importance of customer relationship management particularly due to the potential of e-business, no XML standards for customer profile/information management have been developed. Despite the exponential growth of the Internet that is shaping the way we do our business, no standard for managing customer profile/information has been developed yet. This technical committee aims at delivering these standards

LIST OF DELIVERABLES AND PROJECTED DATE

Unification of NAML with AND’s address structures February 25, 2001

Release of a preliminary draft on the specifications (document and DTD/Schemas) of NAML to the CIQ mailing list

March 25, 2001

LANGUAGE IN WHICH THE TC WILL CONDUCT BUSINESS: English

DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF THE FIRST MEETING

Date : December, 2000

Time : 10:30am

Venue : GCA Conference, Washington DC

TC MEMBERS

Ram Kumar, Cognito, Inc rkumar@msi.com.au
Chairman

Vincent Buller, AND Data Solutions, vincent.buller@and.com
Co-Chairman

John Bennett, Parlo.com, john@parlo.com

Graham Lobsey, Cognito, Inc, globsey@msi.com.au

DISCUSSION LIST

Customer Information Quality (CIQ) – CIQ@lists.oasis-open.org

PROPOSED MEETING SCHEDULE FOR THE FIRST YEAR

Date

Time

Meeting Type

Location

Participants

Nov 10, 2000

TBA

Conference Call

–

CIQ TC

Dec 15, 2000

10:30am

Face-to-Face

GCA Conference, Washington DC

CIQ TC

Jan 15, 2001

TBA

Conference Call

–

CIQ TC

Feb 15, 2001

TBA

Conference Call

–

CIQ TC

Mar 15, 2001

TBA

Conference Call

–

CIQ TC

NAME OF MEETING SPONSORS

• OASIS will sponsor the first conference call
• Cognito will sponsor the travel of Ram to Washington DC
• AND to sponsor the travel of Vincent Buller to Washington DC

###

XML Consortium Adopts Bylaws to Foster Open XML Standards

Boston, MA USA and London, England; October 3, 2000–OASIS, the XML interoperability consortium, has expanded its technical process for the development of industrial XML standards. The Consortium recently expanded its bylaws to implement a new model of technical committee organization that, in essence, allows OASIS to become a home for industry-specific XML application development. Instead of establishing separate governance and infrastructure, vertical industry groups are now free to develop XML standards within OASIS. The new OASIS development process is open, accountable, democratic, language-neutral, flexible and scalable.

“XML is a framework for the development of industry data standards,” said Jon Bosak of Sun Microsystems, who organized and led the working group that created XML. “Without a legally accountable, open development process, XML standards are likely to be established by, and engineered to benefit, just a few large corporate players, locking out small- to medium-size enterprises. By establishing a framework for the open development of XML standards, OASIS puts the present and future control over such standards firmly in the hands of those who will use them. “

Bosak chaired the OASIS Process Advisory Committee (PAC), which drafted the new bylaws.

“XML standards developed over the next few years will form an essential part of the IT infrastructure for decades to come,” commented Laura Walker, executive director of OASIS. “OASIS is widely recognized as the open forum where industry leaders put aside competitive differences and come together to solve business problems with XML. We have the critical mass to insure standards developed within OASIS will be adopted by industries around the world.”

About OASIS

OASIS is the world’s largest independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to the standardization of XML applications. In addition to its technical work on areas as varied as XML conformance and XML repository standards, OASIS hosts several independent initiatives. ebXML is a joint effort of the United Nations CEFACT and OASIS to establish a global framework that will enable XML to be used in a consistent manner for the exchange of all electronic business data. CGM Open, is a consortium within OASIS dedicated to advancing CGM and other web graphics standards. The XML Cover Pages is widely regarded as the most comprehensive online reference work for XML and other structured information standards. OASIS also hosts the XML.ORG Registry, the open community clearinghouse of XML application schemas.

OASIS sponsors include Adobe Systems, Aerospatiale, AND Data Solutions, Arbortext, Auto-trol Technology, B-Bop Associates, BEA Systems, Bentley Systems, Boeing, Bowstreet, Bridge, BroadVision, Chrystal Software, Cohesia, Commerce One, DataChannel, Dataloom, Deutsche Post AG, DMSi, Documentum, eCredit.com, Enigma, eXcelon, Extensibility, Extricity Software, First Call, IBM, InformIT, Informix, Infoteria, Interwoven, IPNet Solutions, ISOGEN, ITEDO, JetForm, Keyfile, Logistics Management Institute, Mercator Software, Micrografx, Microsoft, Netfish, NextPage, NII Enterprise Promotion Association, Nimble Technology, NIST, ObjectSpace, Oracle Corporation, Pick Systems, ProNet Technology, Reuters, Sabre, SAP, Sequoia Software, SoftQuad, Software AG, STEP, StreamServe, Sun Microsystems, Synth-Bank, Visa, Wavo, Webb Interactive Services, webMethods, Whitehill Technologies, Xerox, XML Global, XMLSolutions and XyEnterprise.

For more information:
Carol Geyer Media Relations Consultant OASIS carol.geyer@oasis-open.org +1 978.667.5115 x209