X12 Supply Chain Group Tackles Vertical Migration to Global Business Process Model.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- The Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12, a cross-industry data exchange standards body, is addressing how organizations can develop and enhance their global business process model via its Supply Chain Subcommittee. As more U.S. vertically-focused markets extend their reach into international arenas, organizations must reengineer their systems architecture to accommodate global business data exchange processes.

"Many U.S. based corporations now maintain physical and/or virtual presence all over the world," said Debra Cimbala, X12 Supply Chain Subcommittee Chair. "With major U.S. industries struggling with issues of doing business in a global economy, many are finding that the challenge is adapting to very different business models. X12 is uniquely positioned - as a cross-industry standards body with a wealth of business process content expertise - to help bridge the differences and coordinate shared solutions."

ASC X12's Supply Chain Subcommittee is tackling these issues and seeking ideas and input to develop a global business process model that can be used as a reference guide for organizations facing a similar dilemma. Companies and industry associations alike looking to develop or to migrate their vertical processes into a global model will want to participate in this initiative. Similarly, X12 welcomes input from those organizations that have already established a global business process model.

The Supply Chain Subcommittee will convene face-to-face at the upcoming ASC X12 Meeting at The Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel Sept. 24-29, 2006. The global model will be addressed during the Wednesday and Thursday (Sept. 27-28) meetings of the X12 Supply Chain Subcommittee. Topics to be discussed are:

--What are the key differences between vertical and global business process models?

--How do you migrate from the vertical to the horizontal?

--What unique challenges are you experiencing in conducting information changes in a global environment?

--What business/technical changes do you need to make (or have made) to accommodate trading partners and corporate divisions in other countries?

To register for the X12 meeting, visit www.X12.org. For additional information, contact X12 Supply Chain Subcommittee Chair Debra Cimbala at [e-mail].

About Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12

The Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12, founded in 1979 and accredited by the American National Standards Institute, develops cross-industry electronic data exchange standards that interact with a multitude of e-business technologies and serve as premier tools for integrating electronic applications. With more than 2,500 individuals representing 360+ corporate members, ASC X12 facilitates the effective exchange of electronic information through standards-setting and active participation in emerging and technically relevant initiatives. To learn more about ASC X12, visit www.X12.org or call 703-970-4480.