ebFuture

ebXML is a holistic standard for the automation of electronic business; it covers most bases in terms of enabling technology and has a bright future as a standard to drive trading communities. However, a few missing pieces that I would like to see incorporated into ebXML include

• Vertical processes, or canned processes, leveraged within a particular vertical industry.

• Vertical semantics, or canned data semantics, leveraged within a particular vertical industry.

• Better defined security standards.

• Enhanced synergy with emerging standards, such as Web services.

• Better integration with more traditional standards, such as EDI.

But you can't have everything. As this standard matures, we may see many changes to ebXML, and some of the above issues may be addressed. In the meantime, ebXML is still a good bet for enterprises that want to automate information processes between their trading partners.