ANSI ASC X12 Drives Cross-Industry Collaboration on XML Initiatives; International Standards Initiatives Co-Locate Meetings With ASC X12 in Seattle, Feb. 3-8.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2002

The ANSI Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12 is meeting Feb. 3-8 in Seattle to evaluate processes to facilitate collaboration with the numerous industry groups and associations developing Extensible Markup Language (XML) specifications. Forging ahead to foster XML convergence and interoperability within and across industries, ASC X12 is attracting a diverse mix of organizations interested in working together to expedite development, harmonization and implementation of XML specifications. The ultimate goal is to reduce costs by encouraging cooperative cross-industry efforts.

Coming on the heels of ASC X12's E-Business XML Cross-Industry Summit, which took place Jan. 22 at Freddie Mac in McLean, Va., the upcoming ASC X12 meeting will continue its 20+year tradition of developing and maintaining e-business data exchange standards along with the following initiatives under ASC X12 consideration:

-- The initiative to formulate processes and define a structure within ASC X12
to enable collaboration and convergence with industry groups/associations
developing XML specifications

-- The review of the first draft of XML Design Rules, which identify best
practices that define the creation of XML representations of standard business
messages

Two international groups are meeting in conjunction with ASC X12 next week: the eBusiness Transition Working Group (eBTWG) and the Techniques & Methodologies Working Group (TMWG). The eBTWG, created in July 2001 by the UN/CEFACT Steering Group (CSG), is pioneering the development of global XML standards for e-business. The TMWG researches and identifies techniques and methodologies that could be utilized by UN/CEFACT and its working groups to enhance the process by which its deliverables are produced and integrated.

To view the ASC X12's E-Business XML Cross-Industry Summit PowerPoint presentation, please visit http://www.x12.org/summit/. For additional information on next week's ASC X12 and eBTWG meetings or to register, visit http://www.x12.org/x12org/meetings/ and http://www.x12.org/x12org/meetings/ebtwg.cfm.

About ASC X12

The Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12, accredited by the American National Standards Institute and comprised of cross-industry representation, develops robust e-business exchange specifications and electronic data interchange standards that interact with a multitude of e-commerce technologies and serve as the premier tool for integrating electronic applications. Through standards setting and active participation in emerging and technically relevant initiatives, ASC X12 facilitates the effective exchange of electronic information. Propelling global e-business, ASC X12 serves as the entry point for the United States into the United Nations/Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport (UN/EDIFACT), an international standard relating to the exchange of trade goods and services. To learn more about ASC X12, visit www.x12.org or call 703-837-6155.